Islanders Rookie Rewind: Bryan Trottier
Let's rewind the tape and look back at the rookie season of Islanders legend and Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier
Welcome to the first Rookie Rewind of the revamped THW Substack! Today’s edition — the first of many — will be free for all THW Substack subscribers, but shortly, premium posts like this one will only be available to paid subscribers of THW Substack. Get access to all of The Hockey Writers’ premium content, including exclusive subscriber-only reports, analysis, long-form commentary, gameday previews, and columns just like this one… all with one subscription.
Everyone loves looking back at the history of their favourite players, especially their rookie season when they just broke into the league. That’s what this article series is going to endeavour to do, rewind the tape and let you re-live the glory of their first season in the NHL.
From their first NHL goal to milestones and exciting moments, this will either be a nostalgic flashback or an exciting introduction to Islanders history. So without further ado, let’s take a look at the first player to be featured in this series, legend and Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier.
Flashback to the 1974 Draft When Trottier Was Selected 22nd Overall
Looking back at the 1974 Draft, Trottier was a steal for the Islanders at 22nd overall. Back then, there were only 18 teams in the NHL, so he was a second-round pick rather than a first like he would be today. By the end of his career, he surpassed every pick ahead of him with 1,425 career points. The closest was Pierre Larouche (eighth overall, Pittsburgh Penguins) at 822 points.
In hindsight, Trottier should have gone first overall to the Washington Capitals rather than defenseman Greg Joly who only played 365 games and scored 97 points.
Oct. 8, 1975: Trottier Makes His NHL Debut
After playing one more season in the WCHL with the Lethbridge Broncos where he put up a ridiculous 46 goals and 144 points in 67 games, Trottier debuted with the Islanders on Oct. 8, 1975. He didn’t record any points but had four shots on goal in a 1-1 tie against the now-defunct Kansas City Scouts.
Oct. 11, 1975: Trottier Scores His First Hat Trick in the NHL
Goaltender: Rogie Vachon (Los Angeles Kings)
Time of the Goal: 16:26 of the first period
It didn’t take long for Trottier to showcase his goalscoring talents in the NHL as he not only scored his first goal in his second career game but also his first hat trick. Every goal was assisted by sophomore Clark Gillies (who was 21 at the time) and by the end of the game, Trottier had five points on the strength of three goals and two assists.
Gillies went on to be a frequent linemate of Trottier’s as the duo eventually teamed up with Mike Bossy to form the “Trio Grande” line that led the Islanders’ dynasty in the 1980s where they won four straight Stanley Cups.
As for the goaltender he scored his first three goals on, Trottier torched Vachon in his career to the tune of 11 goals and 26 points in 22 games.
The Rest of Trottier’s Rookie Campaign
Trottier’s rookie season was a sign of things to come as he quickly established himself as a goalscorer in the NHL. He finished with 32 goals and 95 points and won the Calder Trophy as a 19-year-old.
At the time, those 32 goals were a franchise record for a rookie, but that was quickly broken by future linemate Bossy in 1977-78 when he scored 53. Michael Grabner pushed him down to third in 2010-11 when he potted 34. However, the 95 points still stand as the record for points with Bossy coming close with 91 and Mat Barzal in 2017-18 with 85.
Trottier Was Solid in the Playoffs, Even as a Rookie
Goaltender: Ken Dryden (Montreal Canadiens)
Time of the Goal: 12:44 of the first period
While Trottier’s brilliance in the playoffs didn’t start until 1980, he did score his first playoff goal in his rookie season. With his team down 2-0 to the powerhouse Montreal Canadiens which housed names like Guy Lafleur, Bob Gainey, Yvan Cournoyer and Larry Robinson, he scored in Game 3 on May 1, 1976, against future Hall of Famer Ken Dryden.
The Islanders went on to lose that series in six games, but Trottier finished his first postseason with a solid eight points in 13 games. That was just the beginning, though, as he finished his career with six Stanley Cups (four with the Islanders) and a crazy 71 goals and 182 points in 221 games (64 goals and 168 points in 175 games with the Islanders). He was definitely a clutch performer when the games got tough.
The Rest of Trottier’s Career
As mentioned, Trottier’s rookie season was only the beginning when it came to his brilliance in the NHL. By the time he retired in 1993-94 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he had 524 goals and 1,425 points in 1,279 games. He also had quite the trophy case with six Stanley Cup rings, a Calder Trophy, Art Ross Trophy (1978-79), Conn Smythe Trophy (1979-80), Hart Trophy (1978-79), and King Clancy Trophy (1988-89). He also was named to the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players list in 2017-18 and the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997. His No. 19 was also deservedly retired by the Islanders on Oct. 20, 2001.
Trottier was a legend in the hockey world and it all started with his dominant rookie season in the NHL. He played until he was 37 years old and ended his career with 18 seasons under his belt and is one of only 47 players to have hit the 500-goal mark. In Islanders history, he sits second on the all-time goals list behind Bossy and still leads the points race with 1,353. It seems like an unbreakable record, considering the closest active player is Brock Nelson at 492 - and he’s already 32 years old.
Interesting Stats
Trottier scored the most goals in his career against the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers (44).
Trottier was most successful in November, December and January, scoring 92, 99 and 97 goals respectively.
Trottier’s best season came in 1978-79 where he scored 47 goals and 134 points in 76 games. He was also a plus-76.
Trottier finished his career with a gaudy plus-449 in the plus/minus column.
Trottier still holds the record for most points in one period (six points; Dec. 23, 1978, vs. New York Rangers)
All stats were courtesy of Hockey Reference
That does it for the first Rookie Rewind for the THW premium Substack. Be sure to subscribe for more in the future!