Cowan: Mathieu Darche's start with Montreal business paves way to Islanders GM post
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I figured the time would eventually come for Darche to land a GM job in the NHL and that time came Friday, when the New York Islanders hired the 48-year-old Montreal native as their new GM and executive vice-president, replacing Lou Lamoriello.
Darche has certainly paid his dues — and nothing has come easy for him.
The Islanders made a smart decision.
Darche, a forward, played four seasons at McGill University, where he earned a commerce degree, majoring in marketing and international business. He wasn't selected at the NHL draft, but his desire and work ethic resulted in him playing 250 games in the NHL, including 149 with the Canadiens, before retiring after the 2011-12 season. He also played 552 AHL games and won the Calder Cup in 2004 with the Milwaukee Admirals.
After retiring, Darche was part of the NHLPA's negotiating team during the 2012-13 NHL lockout. He was hoping to land a job in hockey management, but realized those jobs were limited. Meeting Mike Wagen — the senior vice-president and owner of Delmar International Inc., a global freight-forwarding and customs brokerage giant — at the 2013 Cummings Centre Sports Celebrity Breakfast led to the next step on Darche's road to the Islanders.
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