Trotz, 55, enters his first season as the Islanders Head Coach after spending the last four with the Washington Capitals. During his tenure in Washington, he led the Capitals to two consecutive Presidents' Trophies (2015-16 and 2016-17) and won the franchise's first Stanley Cup (2017-18). He was awarded the Jack Adams Trophy (2015-16), given annually to the coach voted best in the league. Prior to joining the Capitals, Trotz spent the previous 15 seasons as Head Coach of the Nashville Predators. He ranks third all-time in NHL history in both games coached (1,196) and wins (557) with a single franchise.
The Winnipeg, Manitoba native has earned over 700 NHL wins, making him the sixth coach in NHL history to achieve that milestone. He has posted a 762-568-60-134 career record and ranks fifth in NHL history in wins and games coached (1,524). Trotz also ranks second among active head coaches in all-time wins and games coached.
Prior to joining the Predators, Trotz spent five seasons (1992-97) as the coach of the Capitals' primary affiliate at the time in the American Hockey League, the Baltimore Skipjacks. The franchise relocated to Portland, Maine in 1993 and he led the Portland Pirates to two Calder Cup Finals appearances during the next four seasons. In 1994-95, Trotz coached Portland to a Calder Cup Championship and a league-best record of 43-27-10. He was named the AHL Coach of the Year that same season.
On the international stage, Trotz has served as an Assistant Coach for Team Canada at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and at the IIHF World Championships on four occasions, most recently at the 2013 tournament in Stockholm, Sweden, and Helsinki, Finland. In 2003, he helped Team Canada win gold in Finland, and in 2009, he helped guide Canada to a silver medal in Switzerland.
