Feb. 14, 1972 -Bill Torrey, 38, an Executive Vice President with the Oakland Seals, is named the team's first General Manager.
Torrey oversaw the Islanders construction, drafting the original roster in the 1972 NHL Expansion Draft and building the Islanders into a championship dynasty from 1980-83.
Affectionately known as The Architect, Torrey was the Islanders GM from 1972 to 1992 and served with the team in a consulting role in the 1992-93 season. Torrey was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995 and had his banner - featuring his trademark bow tie - raised by the Islanders on Jan. 13, 2001.
Arguably the most important hire in Islanders history, Stan Fischler chronicled how Torrey wound up on the Islanders in
this edition of Maven's Memories
.
This Day in Isles History: Feb. 14
Bill Torrey, 38, an Executive Vice President with the Oakland Seals, is named the team's first General Manager
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