The Downfall of NY Islanders Draft Pick Corey Trivino

Named General Manager of the NY Islanders in 2006, Garth Snow was a willing risk-taker - whether it be a bold trade, offering massive contracts, or drafting an overlooked prospect. While it may have been a calculated risk at the time, some of the players Snow stuck his neck out for haven't offered the Islanders much in return for his trust.

In 2008, the Islanders selected Corey Trivino as the organization's second-round pick after taking Josh Bailey in the first. Selected 36th overall by the Islanders from the Stouffville Spirit of the OJHL, Trivino was predicted by many to hear his name called in the first round but wound up falling six picks into the second.

A playmaker by nature, Trivino stood as a 6'1" center with terrific hands, making crisp cross-ice passes using his high-end vision to scan the ice. Physical on the defensive end and comfortable in possession, Trivino was still a few years away from making an impact at the professional level. Set to join Boston University, Trivino was prepared to take the next step in his development on the road to Long Island.

After winning a National Championship with the Terriers in his first season, the future looked bright for Trivino as he became an integral part of the team heading into his senior season. Playing in BU's first 15 games of the 2011-12 season and leading the Hockey East Conference in scoring, Trivino was arrested in December of 2011, charged with three counts of indecent assault, two counts of breaking and entering, and one count of assault with attempt to rape.

According to police reports, a female residence assistant had asked Trivino and his group to abide by the dormitory's quiet hours. Trivino then forced his way into her room, attempting to kiss and grope the female. Trivino was taken into police custody, noticeably intoxicated.

It was not the first time alcohol caused trouble for Trivino while at BU, as he was suspended for multiple games the season prior by famed Head Coach Jack Parker for alcohol-related issues. Let off easy the first time, Parker was quick to dismiss Trivino from the team following his serious charges.

“Corey got in trouble with me because of alcohol-related issues. I told him one more incident and that he’d be off the team,” Parker said in 2011 following Trivino's arrest. “When I got the call for the latest alcohol-related issue, he was already in jail. I didn’t have to wait to dismiss him from the team. Now, he’s got bigger issues with the state of Massachusetts."

According to BU Today, Trivino pled guilty in 2012 to two counts of assault and battery and one count of trespassing - receiving two years probation, agreeing to random alcohol testing, Alcohol Anonymous meetings, psychiatric evaluation, and continuing his alcohol treatment program near his home in Toronto.

Trivino resumed his career following his guilty plea, signing with the Florida Everblades of the ECHL. After being traded to the Stockton Thunder, Trivino earned his first call-up to the AHL with the Portland Pirates. With two stints in Portland over two season's Trivino appeared in 50 games, totaling three goals and 14 assists.

In 2015 Trivino headed overseas, signing with Admiral Vladivostok of the KHL. After one year in Russia and two in Kazakhstan. Trivino played half a season in Austria before heading to Germany, where he's been since 2018. This past year in the DEL2 (second-tier of German hockey), Trivino led Eisbären Regensburg in points with 51 (25 goals, 26 assists), finishing top 10 league-wide.

It's tough to fault Snow for the incident which derailed Trivino's career, as there were no red flags at the time of the draft. Though he never signed with the Islanders, Trivino became another notch in the belt of disappointing draft picks.