Islanders fire Smith, name goalie Snow GM

0 Comments | USA TODAY, July, 2006 | by Kevin Allen

The New York Islanders took an unconventional route in hiring Neil Smith as general manager last month, and they embraced another unconventional path by firing him Tuesday in his 40th day on the job.

In a stunning move, the Islanders announced Smith is being replaced by goaltender Garth Snow, 37, who retired as a player to accept the GM post.

Smith's hiring was considered odd because owner Charles Wang also hired coach Ted Nolan at the same time. In the NHL, it's customary to have the general manager hire his own coach.

"In light of our differences, I felt that I had no choice," Wang said about the dismissal of Smith, who had been looking for a GM job for six seasons before landing on Long Island. Smith had been general manager of the New York Rangers from...