Gordon introduced by Isles, says he's ready to lead young charge

UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- Scott Gordon faced a probing question in the time between accepting the job as head coach of the New York Islanders and his introductory news conference.

It didn't come from a reporter and it wasn't posed by general manager Garth Snow. No, the insightful inquiry was made by wife Jennifer -- a ballet instructor.

"Are you nervous?" she asked.

He didn't tap dance around the question then and he didn't Wednesday when the reigning AHL Coach of the Year was asked again as he took the responsibility of leading the struggling Islanders' youth movement.

"I've built a quiet confidence within myself where the most nerve-racking part was this right here -- the press conference," the 45-year-old Gordon said. "And that more than anything was just because we didn't have that (in the AHL)."

Gordon was hired by the Islanders on Tuesday night to replace Ted Nolan, dismissed by the club in July after two seasons behind the New York bench. Philosophical differences were cited by both Nolan and Snow when they parted ways, and Gordon became Snow's first coaching hire in his two years as GM.

Gordon has never coached in any capacity in the NHL, but boasts a resume that includes five years as head coach of the Providence Bruins, the team he led to the AHL's top record last season.

No NHL experience? Scott Gordon (left) says 'coaching is coaching' as he is introduced by GM Garth Snow. (AP)

He comes from a similar background as Snow. Both are from New England and both played goalie. They met at a training camp back in 1987 as members of the Quebec Nordiques organization.

Snow doesn't remember much about that first meeting, but he felt instantly comfortable with Gordon during the interview process and had no qualms or concerns about hiring him.

"I could tell right away when he walked through my office door that there was chemistry and that we were speaking the same language," Snow said.

Gordon said his initial interview with Snow lasted seven hours. Although there were no promises or guarantees that he would get the job, Gordon figured that if the GM was interested enough to keep him at Nassau Coliseum that long, that had to at least be a good sign.

Snow made the choice of Gordon over other household name coaches who have lots of NHL experience and three who also have a Stanley Cup title -- such as John Tortorella, Bob Hartley and Marc Crawford.

Now Gordon is getting a big break in the big leagues but he is inheriting a club that tied for the fourth fewest points in the NHL last season. The Islanders have veterans at forward in captain Bill Guerin and newcomer Doug Weight, as well as on defense with hard-hitting Brendan Witt.