After years of exile in such cities as Denver, Pittsburgh, and even New York City, Islander legend Bryan Trottier has come back to the place where many memories were made. Islander owner Charles Wang has signed Trottier to take the position of executive director of player development.

The soon to be 50 years old Trottier, returns to the Islanders after having last been a executive in the mid 1990’s, which ended up being vanquished after many potential promises were not kept.

Trottier’s position will deal with the Islanders prospects and veterans, and will be taking a ‘hands on’ approach, working closely with the likes of Ryan O’Marra, Sean Bergenheim, Robert Nilsson and Petteri Nokelainen.

“This is where I want to be”, said Trottier in interviews yesterday.

The Hall of Fame centerman, played with the Islanders from 17975 until 1990, scoring 500 goals and adding 853 assists. He was the Conn Smythe Award winner in 1980 and won four Stanley Cups with the Islanders. In the 1990-91 season he became a Pittsburgh Penguin and was vital in the Penguins march to two consecutive Stanley Cups. He retired after the 1993-94 season, and moved into the coaching ranks.

Trottier was an assistant coach with the Penguins for four seasons, before taking over the Portland Pirates in the American Hockey League. That season, he compiled a 33-33-12-2 record, taking the Washington Capitals farm team to the second round of the AHL playoffs.

The next stop for Trottier was the Colorado Avalanche, where he stayed for four seasons, winning another cup in 2001. He was responsible for the development of players such as Milan Hedjuk and Alex Tanguay among others.

In 2002, he signed on as the 30th head coach in the history of the New York Rangers. He went there with passion and excitement, but his tenure was short lived, as he was replaced after just 54 games. In many instances, Islander fans have not forgiven Trottier for signing on to the ‘other side’.

When the Islanders legends of the 1980 cup winning team came back for a reunion, Trottier was approached by Wang about the prospects about coming back as the general manager. Trottier did not feel that he had enough experience to step into that role, but it appears that number 19 would in time want to take that job on.

Currently, Trottier lives in suburban Pittsburgh and has a four year old son, Christian. He feels that he may not be ready to take on the full time responsibilities that would be needed for a coaching position. However, the thought of coming home in whatever position would be a sign for Islander fans that changes are brewing.