Bryan Trottier

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Trottier was drafted with the 22nd pick in 1974 by the Islanders and made the opening lineup in 1975, which saw him set a rookie record for points (95) and win the Calder Memorial Trophy. In the 1978–79 season, he had a career-high 134 points; on December 23, he became the first Islander to score five goals in a game and set an NHL record that same night when he recorded the most points in a single period with six (four goals and two assists); the record has been matched but never broken. In that season, he won the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Memorial Trophy; he was the first (and so far only) Islander to win both awards in franchise history. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy for his play in the 1980 Stanley Cup playoffs with 29 points in 21 games as the Islanders won the first of four consecutive Stanley Cup championships. In a game on February 13 of the 1981–82 season, he recorded a five-goal game to become the seventh NHL player with multiple five-goal games. He recorded his 500th goal in 1990, becoming the 15th player to reach the mark in NHL history.

In Their Own Story

On December 23, 1978, Bryan Trottier stepped onto the ice at Nassau Coliseum and delivered a performance that still stands unmatched. He scored four goals and added two assists in a single period, setting an NHL record for most points in a period that has been tied but never broken. That night, he also became the first Islander to score five goals in a game. The 1978–79 season would see him finish with 134 points, winning both the Art Ross and Hart trophies — a feat no other Islander has accomplished. When the playoffs arrived in 1980, Trottier elevated his game further, recording 29 points in 21 games to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Islanders captured their first Stanley Cup. He was the glue that held together the dynasty, with coach Al Arbour calling him the league's best all-around player, even over Wayne Gretzky. Arbour said, "Gretzky is an offensive genius for sure. But at this stage Trots gives you more things. Defensively, he's outstanding. And he's physically tough. He comes up with his 100 points a year, automatically, along with everything else!"

Reader's Guide

Trottier was bought out of his contract by the Islanders after the 1989–90 season and subsequently signed as a free agent with Pittsburgh, where he provided veteran leadership as the Penguins won the Stanley Cup in 1991 and 1992. He initially retired in 1992 but returned for one more season with Pittsburgh before finally retiring in 1994. One of the best Islanders in franchise history, Trottier recorded 524 goals and 901 assists for 1,425 points in over 1,200 games; in the playoffs, he recorded 182 points in 221 games played. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997 and his jersey was retired by the Islanders in 2001. In 2017, Trottier was named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in history.

Did You Know?

• Trottier won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1980, not 1981.
• Trottier had only one five-goal game in his career, so the claim of 'multiple five-goal games' is false.
• Trottier was the 15th player to score 500 goals, not the 16th.