Tommy Albelin joins New York Islanders as assistant coach

On a day of big signings across the league, the New York Islanders have made a shakeup on their bench.

The Isles have announced that former NHLer Tommy Albelin will step in as Doug Houda’s replacement as an assistant coach for the 2024-25 season.

Albelin is no stranger to Lou Lamoriello, who had him as an assistant with the New Jersey Devils in 2007. He held the job for three years before his four-year run as an assistant with the AHL’s Albany Devils before returning for a season as an assistant with New Jersey in 2014-15.

In 2016-17, Albelin joined up with Lamoriello again to spend two years as a pro scout with the Toronto Maple Leafs. During that time, he also worked with Switzerland as an assistant coach with the World Junior and men’s senior team, which included two silver medals and two Olympic Winter Games appearances. A native of Sweden, Albelin also served as Sweden’s assistant at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Before switching to coaching in the mid-2000s, Albelin also had a long career as a player. He was drafted 152nd overall by Quebec in 1983 and spent the first few years of his pro career playing with Djurgardens’ pro team. He also represented Sweden frequently, winning gold and silver at the World Championship, among other events. The defensive defender eventually made his NHL debut with Quebec in 1987 and would play there for parts of two seasons before landing with the Devils. That’s where Albelin was most successful, winning two Stanley Cups in 1995 and 2003 with Lamoriello as GM.

Albelin spent six years with the Calgary Flames before finishing his career again with the Devils, albeit in a limited role. After not playing during the 2004-05 lockout, He finished with six assists in 36 games in 2005-06 before calling it quits.