In 1977 the New York Islanders hired Barbara Williams as their skating coach. At the time, it was a notable occurance for a woman to work in the NHL.
In 1977 the New York Islanders hired Barbara Williams as their skating coach. At the time, it was a notable occurance for a woman to work in the NHL.
In 1977, Barbara Williams was hired by the NHL's New York Islanders as the team's skating coach.
Williams, hired in January of 1977 by then Islanders GM Bill Torrey, immediately went to work with the Islanders players.
"We began experimenting with the idea of additional skating instruction for some of our players this summer, and the results have been outstanding,” said Torrey. “If Barbara can work with all of the players for only a few minutes a day, I think it will be a tremendous boost for the second half of the season.”
As his weakest trait entering the NHL, many believed itwas Williams' coaching that helped Bob Nystrom break out, and help the Islanders to four consecutive Stanley Cups between 1980 and 1983.
“There’s no question that the skating lessons have been a big help,” continued Nystrom. “Let’s face it, skating is the one part of the game that we really don’t have much of a chance to practice on a regular basis. With power skating you concentrate on such things as using your edges more and keeping your balance. It’s something that you work at over and over again.”
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