Former goalie Scott Gordon brings the same intensity he displayed as a player to his new job as head coach of the New York Islanders.

Behind the Bench

“You must have the mentality that you’re going to win the Stanley Cup,” says first-year New York Islanders Head Coach Scott Gordon ’86. “Each year, 29 teams fail. But you have to enter every game with the belief that you’re going to win.”

A native of Easton, Massachusetts, Gordon led the Providence Bruins to the best regular season record in the American Hockey League last year—a run that helped him garner the league’s coach of the year honors and earn his first NHL coaching job.

However, performing on hockey’s biggest stage is nothing new for the former goalie. After leading Boston College to a Frozen Four appearance in 1985, he played in the NHL with the Quebec Nordiques and with the 1992 U.S. Olympic team in Albertville, France.

“There are some big hurdles this year,” says Gordon, who inherited a squad that finished last in its division. “But the key is to replace individual goals with team goals and get everyone skating in the same direction.”

Below, Gordon reflects on life on and off the ice:

What is the most satisfying moment in your professional life?
Playing in my first NHL hockey game with Quebec and then playing in the 1992 Olympics.

In your personal life? 
Marrying my wife and having two boys.

What is your best BC memory? 
Winning the Beanpot in 1983 and reaching the Frozen Four in 1985.

What is your next goal?
Winning the Stanley Cup and bringing home a gold medal in the Olympics.

How much can you sing of the BC fight song?
For Boston, for Boston, We sing our proud refrain…a little humming…and that just about does it.

How have you changed since graduation?
I’m a lot calmer now that I don’t have pucks flying at me.

What is the most important lesson in life?
Always look for different ways to improve what you do.

Who would play you in the film version of your life? 
Al Pacino—just for his speech in Any Given Sunday.

Where did you live freshman year?
Roncalli Hall on Upper Campus.

Where is your favorite spot on the BC campus?
In the goal or behind the bench.

What do you look forward to each day? 
Spending time with my family (after a cup of coffee).

Where do you most like to travel on vacation?
Any beach with a chair and umbrella.

Who has influenced your life the most? 
My family.

What is something your friends don’t know about you? 
I used to help my wife with partnering class during her summer ballet workshops.

What was the last book you read? 
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell.

What is the one meal you could eat for the rest of your life?
Pizza and anything Italian.

What is the latest song on your iPod?
“Viva La Vida” by Coldplay and “Disarray” by Lifehouse.

How do you relax? 
Coffee and my laptop; watching my kids play hockey and baseball; playing golf.

What is the one thing everyone should do?
Go to the Beanpot.