Snow’s goal is tending to title for Isles

To go directly from being a backup NHL goalie to a general manager for that franchise is virtually unheard of.

There were no intermediate steps for former University of Maine goalie Garth Snow.

The Islanders’ backup goalie who is now their GM has his team in the thick of the chase for an Eastern Conference playoff berth.

Entering Tuesday’s play, they were 31-23-8 and one point behind Carolina for the eighth and final playoff spot.

“It’s been fun,” said Snow. “I haven’t had time to miss playing. I enjoy being part of molding a team. We’re trying to put the pieces together to win a championship.”

He likes his team.

“We play with a lot of grit. It’s a fun team to watch. I really like the way the guys compete,” said Snow, who pointed out that they’ve been without first-line center Alexei Yashin for a healthy portion of the season due to a knee injury.

Yashin, who is still sidelined, had 13 goals and 25 assists in 42 games.

One thing that has made Snow’s job easier is his relationship with head coach Ted Nolan.

“He’s been great. It’s amazing how we have the same viewpoint on our players and the same vision when it comes to the type of players we need to be a championship-caliber team,” said Snow.

Snow and the Islanders made news in September when they signed goalie Rick DiPietro to a 15-year, $67.5 million dollar contract.

Snow said if you knew DiPietro like he does, having been his teammate, and combine that with his exceptional talent, “[the contract] wasn’t really a risk.”

He also signed his former University of Maine tandem partner, Mike Dunham, to back up DiPietro. Dunham and Snow backstopped Maine to its first NCAA championship in 1992-93.

DiPietro is 27-18 in 51 games with a 2.62 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage while Dunham is 4-5 in 14 games with a 2.90 GAA and a .911 save percentage.

Ironically, Dunham provided Snow with his first win as a GM after the Islanders had dropped their first three.

Dunham made 46 saves in regulation and five in the shootout as the Islanders beat Anaheim 5-4 on Oct. 11.

“He threw me the puck after the game,” said Snow. “I was happy for him and the team.”

Snow said Dunham has “done a great job for us and he has been a good leader in the locker room.”

Snow’s job is 24/7 but that goes with the territory. He has been well-received by the other GMs.

“They’ve treated me with respect,” he said.

He also said Islanders owner Charles Wang, who hired him, has been very supportive.

Snow has been able to make the transition from former teammate to GM. He has even had to trade some of his friends like forward Michael York (to Philadelphia for Randy Robitaille and a 2008 fifth-round draft choice).

“They understand it’s a business [and isn’t personal],” said Snow noting he has to do what is best for the franchise.

He will continue to make trades “if they improve the team.”

Garth Snow is a self-made man and the fact he is having success is a tribute to his work ethic, resiliency and affability.

The fact he transformed himself from an overweight backup goalie at Maine to a key component in a national championship and a 12-year, 368-game NHL goaltender speaks volumes about him.

Larry Mahoney can be reached at 990-8231, 1-800-310-8600 or by email at lmahoney@bangordailynews.net.