Mathieu Darche will make player development in Bridgeport a point of emphasis for the NY Islanders

There was very little to be excited about in terms of the Bridgeport Islanders last season. The team was historically bad, winning just 14 games in a 72-game season. More astoundingly, the B-Isles won four games at home last season, the fewest in the league's history.

But now enter Mathieu Darche, the new General Manager of the NY Islanders, who plans to emphasize development in Bridgeport for the organization going forward. 

Darche will make Bridgeport a point of emphasis

“I believe in developing a winning environment,” said Darche this morning at his introductory press conference. “So the AHL will be a focus for me because that’s… your players have to be ready. Let’s face it, every team needs players called up during the year.”

Before speaking to the media and fans for the first time today, Darche has been hard at work trying to improve the organization at the AHL level, as he revealed that the franchise will be moving on from B-Islanders Head Coach Rick Kowalsky and the rest of the coaching staff. 

One of the biggest questions on everybody’s mind has been whether Chris Lamoriello would be retained as the GM in Bridgeport. Darche stated that he was worried about the coaching staff first because teams are typically looking for new coaches around this time, and would evaluate other roles over the next few weeks.

Aside from a greater emphasis on Bridgeport, the Islanders will be bringing back their development camp after the NHL Draft.

“I think it’s important,” Darche says. “That’s your first touch on a player. You draft a player, you show him what it’s to be a professional… You show them what the standards are in the gym, you show them what the standards are in the NHL. It’s your first touch on them.”