Barry Trotz names former NY Islanders defenseman as Predators AHL assistant coach

Former New York Islanders defenseman Matt Donovan didn't have a lengthy NHL career, but he did play against Barry Trotz and his Washington Capitals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Donovan, a 2008 fourth-round selection by the Isles, played in Games 6 and 7 of the teams' memorable first-round series in 2015, the biggest stage he played on across his 69 NHL games.

On Tuesday, Trotz tabbed Donovan as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Admirals, the Nashville AHL affiliate. The University of Denver product is familiar with the team, having played in Milwaukee during three AHL seasons and received a call-up from the Predators in 2018-19, playing in the two final games of his NHL career. He makes his home in Milwaukee as well.

The 34-year-old skated in 14 professional seasons, most recently with the Chicago Wolves, playing in 69 games, scoring four goals and adding 39 assists. He also made a stop in the Swedish and German professional leagues. He made his NHL debut with the Islanders during the 2011-12 season playing three games before skating in 52 games during the 2013-14 season. The Islanders off-season acquisitions of Johnny Boychuck and Nick Leddy crowded the Islanders blueline and led to him playing in just 12 games that season before injuries provided a taste of the Stanley Cup playoffs, which included the final game at the Nassau Coliseum (before the renovations).

The new gig will be his first behind the bench, though he has running summer youth hockey schools in the Milwaukee area over the previous four years.