Islanders hire Ted Nolan as coach

UNIONDALE, N.Y., June 8 (UPI) -- The New York Islanders Thursday named Ted Nolan as head coach and former Islander player Pat LaFontaine was named senior advisor to owner Charles Wang.

LaFontaine played for Nolan in Buffalo and new general manager Neil Smith with the New York Rangers.

Smith replaces Mike Milbury and Nolan takes over for Brad Shaw, who replaced the fired Steve Stirling on an interim basis in January.

"I'm extremely proud of the team of leaders we have put together," Wang said. "This is the group that will develop a team that will bring the next Stanley Cup to Long Island."

Nolan, 48, was a candidate for the Islanders' job in 2001 and also turned down an offer to coach the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1998.

During a two-year stint with the Buffalo Sabres, Nolan went 73-72-19 and led Buffalo to the second round of the NHL playoffs in 1997.