Garth Snow
Encyclopedia
Garth E. Snow is an American retired professional ice hockey
goaltender
and is currently the general manager for the New York Islanders
of the National Hockey League
.
out of Mount Saint Charles Academy
in the sixth round of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft
. He went straight to the University of Maine
for four years and for three straight years led the NCAA in wins. After helping lead the school to a 42–1–2 record and the NCAA Championship in 1993, he was named to the All-Tournament team. After spending the majority of 1993–94 playing for the United States National Team which included playing in the 1994 Winter Olympics
, he turned to his professional career, seeing his first NHL action in five games for the Nordiques.
Snow recorded 32 wins in 62 games for the Cornwall Aces
of the AHL
during 1994–95. After the Quebec franchise relocated to Colorado
, Snow was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers
for two draft picks during the off-season. Garth would back up veteran Ron Hextall
for over two seasons and would alternate with Hextall during the Flyers' run to the Stanley Cup Finals
in 1997, most notably playing in Game 2 of the Finals. Near the trade deadline in 1997–98, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks
for Sean Burke
.
As a Canuck in 1998–99, he registered career highs in games played (65), wins (20), and shutouts (6). His workload was cut in half the following season and he signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins
prior to 2000–01. His stay in Pittsburgh lasted one season as he signed with the New York Islanders
in the off-season. He would remain an Islander for the rest of his career, primarily as a backup to veteran Chris Osgood
and then youngster Rick DiPietro
.
Throughout his career, Snow was the target of the league office on several occasions over his goaltending equipment, in particular his shoulder pads, which opposing teams accused of violating league rules on size. According to former teammate Mike Peca, Garth Snow was one of the best trash-talkers around. "He's got such a wit and sense of humor like no other. Snow says things that will cut you without being rude or obnoxious." (The Hockey News, August 30, 2002). Snow was regarded as a respected leader both on and off the ice.
of the New York Islanders following Neil Smith's dismissal after 41 days on the job. There was much criticism directed the Islanders way for firing a Stanley Cup-winning GM after such a short tenure in favor of Snow, who at the time of his hiring held no experience in management. Defenders of the organization pointed to Snow's Master’s Degree in Administration and Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Maine.
In Snow's first season as GM, he earned praise for making moves to open up space under the salary cap and using the space to trade for Marc-André Bergeron
, Richard Zednik
and Ryan Smyth
. Snow was named NHL Executive of the year for 2006–2007 by Sports Illustrated
. Snow also received a great deal of praise from commenters on XM Radio and other reports for his organization's picks in the 2008
and 2009 entry drafts
.
Snow's tenure since his hiring has not been without controversy however. On September 12, 2006, Snow gave goalie Rick DiPietro a fifteen year, $67.5 million contract. DiPietro has had frequent injury and concussion problems since this date and has played just over 130 games in four seasons.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
and is currently the general manager for the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
.
Playing career
Snow was drafted by the Quebec NordiquesQuebec Nordiques
The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...
out of Mount Saint Charles Academy
Mount Saint Charles Academy
Mount Saint Charles Academy is a private Catholic junior/senior high school located in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence. -History:...
in the sixth round of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft
1987 NHL Entry Draft
The 1987 NHL Entry Draft was held at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The National Hockey League teams selected 252 players eligible for entry into professional ranks, in the reverse order of the 1986–87 NHL season and playoff standings. This is the list of those players selected.-Selections...
. He went straight to the University of Maine
University of Maine
The University of Maine is a public research university located in Orono, Maine, United States. The university was established in 1865 as a land grant college and is referred to as the flagship university of the University of Maine System...
for four years and for three straight years led the NCAA in wins. After helping lead the school to a 42–1–2 record and the NCAA Championship in 1993, he was named to the All-Tournament team. After spending the majority of 1993–94 playing for the United States National Team which included playing in the 1994 Winter Olympics
1994 Winter Olympics
The 1994 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 12 to 27 February 1994 in and around Lillehammer, Norway. Lillehammer failed to win the bid for the 1992 event. Lillehammer was awarded the games in 1988, after having beat...
, he turned to his professional career, seeing his first NHL action in five games for the Nordiques.
Snow recorded 32 wins in 62 games for the Cornwall Aces
Cornwall Aces
The Cornwall Aces were the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Quebec Nordiques from 1993 to 1995, and the relocated Colorado Avalanche in 1995–96. They were based in the eastern Ontario city of Cornwall, and played at the Ed Lumley Arena inside the Cornwall Civic Complex...
of the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
during 1994–95. After the Quebec franchise relocated to Colorado
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
, Snow was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
for two draft picks during the off-season. Garth would back up veteran Ron Hextall
Ron Hextall
Ronald Jeffrey Hextall is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played 13 National Hockey League seasons for the Philadelphia Flyers, Quebec Nordiques, and New York Islanders...
for over two seasons and would alternate with Hextall during the Flyers' run to the Stanley Cup Finals
Stanley Cup Finals
The Stanley Cup Finals is the championship series to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup, emblematic of the professional club championship of ice hockey. Although the Cup itself has existed since 1893, an annual championship series between professional teams was not established until 1913...
in 1997, most notably playing in Game 2 of the Finals. Near the trade deadline in 1997–98, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
for Sean Burke
Sean Burke
Sean Burke is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New Jersey Devils, Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes, Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, Florida Panthers, Phoenix Coyotes, Tampa Bay Lightning and Los Angeles...
.
As a Canuck in 1998–99, he registered career highs in games played (65), wins (20), and shutouts (6). His workload was cut in half the following season and he signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
prior to 2000–01. His stay in Pittsburgh lasted one season as he signed with the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the off-season. He would remain an Islander for the rest of his career, primarily as a backup to veteran Chris Osgood
Chris Osgood
Christopher John Osgood is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He's currently ranked tenth in wins in NHL regular season history with 401 career wins. He spent the first part of his 17-year NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings, then the New York Islanders and the St. Louis...
and then youngster Rick DiPietro
Rick DiPietro
Rick DiPietro, Jr. is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League . He was the first overall selection by the Islanders in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft....
.
Throughout his career, Snow was the target of the league office on several occasions over his goaltending equipment, in particular his shoulder pads, which opposing teams accused of violating league rules on size. According to former teammate Mike Peca, Garth Snow was one of the best trash-talkers around. "He's got such a wit and sense of humor like no other. Snow says things that will cut you without being rude or obnoxious." (The Hockey News, August 30, 2002). Snow was regarded as a respected leader both on and off the ice.
Islanders General Manager
On July 18, 2006, Snow officially confirmed his retirement and was named General ManagerGeneral manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
of the New York Islanders following Neil Smith's dismissal after 41 days on the job. There was much criticism directed the Islanders way for firing a Stanley Cup-winning GM after such a short tenure in favor of Snow, who at the time of his hiring held no experience in management. Defenders of the organization pointed to Snow's Master’s Degree in Administration and Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Maine.
In Snow's first season as GM, he earned praise for making moves to open up space under the salary cap and using the space to trade for Marc-André Bergeron
Marc-André Bergeron
Marc-André Bergeron is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently under contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.-Career:...
, Richard Zednik
Richard Zednik
Richard Zedník is a Slovak professional hockey winger, currently without a contract. He has played in the National Hockey League for the Washington Capitals, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, and Florida Panthers....
and Ryan Smyth
Ryan Smyth
Ryan Alexander Gordon Smyth is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League...
. Snow was named NHL Executive of the year for 2006–2007 by Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
. Snow also received a great deal of praise from commenters on XM Radio and other reports for his organization's picks in the 2008
2008 NHL Entry Draft
The 2008 NHL Entry Draft was the 46th NHL Entry Draft. It was hosted by the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place in the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on June 20–21, 2008...
and 2009 entry drafts
2009 NHL Entry Draft
The 2009 NHL Entry Draft was the 47th Entry Draft. It was held on June 26–27, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The Draft was part of the Montreal Canadiens centennial celebrations. National Hockey League teams took turns selecting amateur ice hockey players from junior, collegiate, or...
.
Snow's tenure since his hiring has not been without controversy however. On September 12, 2006, Snow gave goalie Rick DiPietro a fifteen year, $67.5 million contract. DiPietro has had frequent injury and concussion problems since this date and has played just over 130 games in four seasons.
Awards
- 1992 Hockey EastHockey EastHockey East Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conference which operates in New England. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference....
Second All-Star Team - 1993 Hockey EastHockey EastHockey East Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conference which operates in New England. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference....
Second All-Star Team - 1993 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team
- 1993 NCAA Championship University of Maine
Regular season
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA Goals against average Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender.... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–94 1993–94 AHL season The 1993–94 AHL season was the 58th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The St. John's Maple Leafs finished first overall in the regular season... |
Cornwall Aces Cornwall Aces The Cornwall Aces were the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Quebec Nordiques from 1993 to 1995, and the relocated Colorado Avalanche in 1995–96. They were based in the eastern Ontario city of Cornwall, and played at the Ed Lumley Arena inside the Cornwall Civic Complex... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
16 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 927 | 51 | 0 | 3.30 |
| 1993–94 | Quebec Nordiques Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 279 | 16 | 0 | 3.44 |
| 1994–95 1994–95 AHL season The 1994–95 AHL season was the 59th season of the American Hockey League. The All-Star Game is revived, with All-Stars grouped into "Team Canada" and "Team USA." Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule... |
Cornwall Aces | AHL | 62 | 32 | 20 | 7 | 3558 | 162 | 3 | 2.73 |
| 1994–95 | Quebec Nordiques | NHL | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 119 | 11 | 0 | 5.55 |
| 1995–96 | Philadelphia Flyers Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 26 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 1437 | 69 | 0 | 2.88 |
| 1996–97 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 35 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 1884 | 79 | 2 | 2.52 |
| 1997–98 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 29 | 14 | 9 | 4 | 1651 | 67 | 1 | 2.43 |
| 1997–98 | Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... |
NHL | 12 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 504 | 26 | 0 | 3.10 |
| 1998–99 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 65 | 20 | 31 | 8 | 3501 | 171 | 6 | 2.93 |
| 1999–2000 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 32 | 10 | 15 | 3 | 1712 | 76 | 0 | 2.66 |
| 2000–01 | Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original... |
NHL | 35 | 14 | 15 | 4 | 2032 | 101 | 3 | 2.98 |
| 2000–01 2000–01 AHL season The 2000–01 AHL season was the 65th season of the American Hockey League. The league realigns its divisions again. The Atlantic division is renamed the Canadian division. The Empire State division is replaced by the South division, with many teams shifting from the Mid-Atlantic division.Twenty... |
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. They play in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza... |
AHL | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 178 | 7 | 0 | 2.36 |
| 2001–02 | New York Islanders New York Islanders The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 25 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1217 | 55 | 2 | 2.71 |
| 2002–03 | New York Islanders | NHL | 43 | 16 | 17 | 5 | 2390 | 92 | 1 | 2.31 |
| 2003–04 | New York Islanders | NHL | 39 | 14 | 15 | 5 | 2015 | 94 | 1 | 2.80 |
| 2004–05 | St. Petersburg SKA | Rus | 16 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2.75 |
| 2005–06 | New York Islanders | NHL | 20 | 4 | 13 | 1 | 1096 | 68 | 0 | 3.72 |
| 2005–06 2005–06 AHL season The 2005–06 AHL season was the 70th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals in the finals.... |
Bridgeport Sound Tigers Bridgeport Sound Tigers The Bridgeport Sound Tigers are an ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League. It has been the AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders, who also own the franchise, since its inception, and use the same team colors as the parent Islanders do. The team is based in... |
AHL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 1 | 0 | 1.00 |
| NHL totals | 368 | 135 | 147 | 44 | 19837 | 925 | 16 | 2.80 | ||
Post season
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–94 | Cornwall Aces | AHL | 13 | 8 | 5 | - | - | - | 0 | 3.19 |
| 1994–95 | Cornwall Aces | AHL | 8 | 4 | 3 | - | - | - | 2 | 2.09 |
| 1994–95 | Quebec Nordiques | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | 0 | 6.67 |
| 1995–96 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | 0 | 0.00 |
| 1996–97 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 12 | 8 | 4 | - | - | - | 0 | 2.83 |
| 2001–02 | New York Islanders | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | 0 | 4.62 |
| 2002–03 | New York Islanders | NHL | 5 | 1 | 4 | - | - | - | 1 | 2.36 |
| NHL totals | 20 | 9 | 8 | - | - | - | 1 | 2.76 | ||
International career
Played for United States in:- 1993–94 National Team
- 1994 Winter Olympics1994 Winter OlympicsThe 1994 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 12 to 27 February 1994 in and around Lillehammer, Norway. Lillehammer failed to win the bid for the 1992 event. Lillehammer was awarded the games in 1988, after having beat...
- 1998 World Championships