A Tribute to the Memory & Legend of the Architect: Bill Torrey

Today, we learned of the passing of Isles legend, Bill Torrey. Torrey was the “Architect” of the Islanders Dynasty and built a team so well and so skilled, they may never be duplicated in the modern age of the NHL. Torrey went from the AHL and later served as GM for the NHL Oakland Seals, New York Islanders and Florida Panthers, who until the Vegas Golden Knights, showed what a model expansion team could do by making their way to the Stanley Cup finals in 1996 before losing to the Colorado Avalanche in four games.

Known for his bow ties and eye for talent, Torrey brought on Isles Legendary Coach, Al Arbour and took “the other team from New York” and forging them into an instrument of brute force and talent. Cory Wright wrote, “He was the first man in the door, becoming the team's first general manager on Feb. 15, 1972.” After Arbour, Torrey added Potvin, Trottier, Morrow and the immortal Billy Smith to the Islanders organization and knew the way to win was to build through the draft and add key pieces at the right time. Torrey surrounded his future star players with a team Arbour could mold and hone into the legacy that became Long Island’s team. Torrey and Arbour challenged each other and pushed each other to create the dynasty. Their friendship was evident two years ago when Torrey gave a moving speech at Arbour's memorial service. "He choked up at the end saying how much he missed his close friend and confidant a year after his passing. On this day, the hockey world is mourning Torrey." Mr. Islander, Bob Nystrom said, "They had a partnership there," Nystrom said. "It was a partnership. They got along so well and Bill was just one hell of a great guy.” 

"He certainly led a charmed life and a meaningful life with all that he did," Morrow said. "I looked forward to when I would see him to catch up and thank him for all that he did for me." After he was named team President in 1980, Torrey even had the foresight to add the final piece of the puzzle, trading popular players Billy Harris and Dave Lewis for a 29-year-old veteran center named Butch Goring. What followed was 19 consecutive playoff series wins (a pro record that still stands) and four straight Stanley Cups from 1980-83. Torrey even engineered the loss of LaFontaine into a trade for Turgeon, Hogue, Krupp and McLlwain and eventually added Thomas and Creighton. Even though he resigned in 92, those players became the nucleus for the Isles surge in the 93 playoffs when they dethroned the 2-time Stanley Cup Champion, Pittsburgh Penguins and came close to contending for the cup that season.

Nystrom said of Torrey, "He was the guy who gave me a chance to play in the NHL and for that I owe him a debt of gratitude," Nystrom said. "He saw something in me and was willing to give me an opportunity. He did that for a lot of players. Had a real good way of reading character and what was really inside a person. He's going to go down as one of the greatest GMs that every worked in the NHL."

Islanders President and General Manger, Garth Snow said, "Bill set the model for how to build a franchise with the leadership he instilled through his coaching staff, his innovative drafting methods and the trades he executed," Snow said. "He was a pioneer, who became a mentor and even better friend, to so many in the industry. The teams he constructed set records that may never be broken, including the four straight Stanley Cup Championships and 19 straight playoff series wins. On behalf of the entire organization, we send our deepest condolences to Bill's family."

The tales of Mr.Torrey’s respect and earned loyalty were much like those that were spoken of Mr. Arbour. Like the legendary Jiggs McDonald, Bill Torrey always seemed to be a special part of my fandom. And based on the words of his players and those around the organization, the tributes speak to the kind of man others saw in him. Torrey’s legend will live forever and deservedly so. He helped build some of the greatest hockey memories of my life time. The team he built took a kid born in Yonkers and who grew up just above Westchester, right in the middle of Ranger’s country to become a die-hard fan of our New York Islanders. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995.

Mr. Torrey was 83.