Latest news with #JohnCollins
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Hiring Of Mathieu Darche Represents A New Era For The New York Islanders
ELMONT, NEW YORK - MAY 29: Mathieu Darche poses for a photo with Islanders owners John Collins, Jon ... More Ledecky and Oliver Haarmann after being named the 7th General Manager in New York Islanders history at UBS Arena, on May 29, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Dennis DaSilva/NHLI via Getty Images) The first sign the Islanders were ushering in a new era during a press conference introducing Mathieu Darche as their new general manager and executive vice president Thursday morning is the fact they held a press conference introducing Mathieu Darche as their new general manager and executive vice president Thursday morning. Technically, the Islanders publicly welcomed Lou Lamoriello as their president of hockey operations seven years ago last week, But that was via conference call (this was two years before we all had to learn how to Zoom) and everyone in sports knows who Lamoriello is — and that his no-frills introduction would set the tone for his entire tenure, one in which he was the lone and rarely revealing voice of authority on all Islanders matters. So Darche, a first-time general manager who won two Cups as a member of the Lightning's front office, stepping to the podium with co-owner John Collins — the type of senior level executive rarely pictured alongside Lamoriello — moments after Free's 'All Right Now' blasted out of the loudspeakers within the suite level at UBS Arena signaled a fresh start for the organization. And then Darche spent the first 11 words of his answer to the first question he fielded making the most declarative statement of all about the Islanders' new era. 'Well, first of all, Patrick will be our coach next season,' Darche said, referring to Patrick Roy, whom Lamoriello hired in January 2024. Darche also announced the fates of assistants Benoit Derosiers, who will remain on staff, and John MacLean and Tommy Albelin, each of whom were dismissed. Later, he said center Bo Horvat should be recovered from the ankle injury he suffered at the IIHF World Championship after four to six weeks and that '…someone would have to really knock my socks off' for him to trade the no. 1 pick in next month's NHL Draft. That's four bits of information Lamoriello wouldn't have released if Jack Bauer was the one doing the interrogating. This is not meant to denigrate or mock Lamoriello, whose ways worked extraordinarily well for a longer period of time than just about any executive in sports history. He arrived at a critical juncture for the Islanders, who didn't have an arena and were about to lose John Tavares to free agency, and helped steer the club to UBS Arena while overseeing consecutive runs to the NHL semifinals in 2020-21. Lamoriello's insistence on not rebuilding and instead trying to squeeze as much as he could out of the Islanders' core was admirable in an era in which tanking is encouraged. But the Islanders, at another unique if less delicate intersection in franchise history, needed a fresh and collaborative perspective — especially after spending the first quarter of this century as the most insular team in the league. Mike Milbury's chaos gave way, ever so briefly, to Charles Wang's committee approach in 2006. Neil Smith, the nominal general manager, was fired after a mere 41 days and replaced by backup goalie Garth Snow, who remained in place for 12 seasons and one postseason series victory. Snow and Lamoriello both stayed unusually loyal to the Islanders' core — as prospects under Snow, who was reluctant to add to the mix, and as increasingly wizened veterans under Lamoriello. Eleven members of this season's team were with the Islanders since at least the 2019-20 season. In addition, Matt Martin (2009-10), Casey Cizikas (2011-12), Anders Lee (2012-13), Scott Mayfield (2013-14) and Brock Nelson (2013-14) all debuted with the team more than a decade ago. The Islanders' farm system dried up in infamous fashion this season, when Bridgeport won just 15 games — including an AHL record-low four at home — while Lamoriello had to pluck Tony D'Angelo from exile in order to shore up a depleted blue line. (And again, to be fair, D'Angelo immediately became the Islanders' most durable defenseman) 'I believe in developing in the winning environment,' Darche said. 'The AHL will definitely be a focus for me, because your players have to be ready. Because, let's face it, every team needs players called up during the year.' Pivoting to a general manager enthusiastic about player development is doubly important thanks to two bits of good fortune that unexpectedly landed in the Islanders' laps. Lamoriello acquired promising center Calum Ritchie from the Avalanche in exchange for Nelson on Mar. 6, albeit only after he couldn't sign the impending free agent to an extension. A little under two months later, the Islanders won the NHL Draft lottery despite entering the proceedings with a 3.5 percent chance at landing the top pick. The lottery win, in particular, was a reminder any success the Islanders have enjoyed since the dynasty years has been of the serendipitous variety. The 1993 team made an unsustainable Cinderella run to the then-Wales Conference finals. In 2018, Lamoriello hired Barry Trotz a little more tan weeks after he won the Stanley Cup with the Capitals, who refused to sign him to a long-term extension. The Islanders were on the verge of falling out of the Eastern Conference playoff race when the pandemic hit in 2020, but the four-month pause allowed players to get healthy and for Trotz to rework their defensive system for a semifinal run. The 2021 trip to the final four came following a 56-game regular season in which the Islanders had the 12th-most points in the NHL. Hoping for everything to go right once in a while underneath an all-powerful general manager is not a recipe for long-term success. Of the 21 teams in the NHL in 1984, only the Islanders, Winnipeg/Arizona/Phoenix/Utah and the Maple Leafs (LOL) have failed to make the Stanley Cup Final since 1984, when the Oilers ended the drive for five. 'There is a championship legacy here that needs to move forward,' Collins said on the day in which there was no way of knowing how Darche and a collaborative effort would fare, only that it was time to begin finding out.
The Guardian
26-05-2025
- The Guardian
Louisiana family rallies around boy who lost parents in separate crashes hours apart
A Louisiana family is grieving but seeking to rally behind a four-year-old boy whose mother was recently killed in a car crash – and whose father then died in a separate vehicle wreck while trying to get to her. Gabriel, the son of Alexus Lee and John 'JR' Collins, 'understands what happened', his paternal grandmother, Sandra Collins, told the Louisiana news station WAFB. 'And he's just having a little problem comprehending that we can't talk to [his parents]. We can't see them, but he understands that they are asleep and are with God.' Gabriel's struggle to comprehend has been shared widely beyond his state after news circulated that his mother lost control of her sports utility vehicle on 16 May, flipped and was killed after crashing into a culvert alongside a road in Zachary, which is just north of Louisiana's capital, Baton Rouge. Investigators called Collins to inform him of Lee's crash – and, while driving to the scene of the wreck, he hit a tree, was ejected and was killed in the town of Clinton, about 20 miles (32km) from Zachary, as WAFB reported. Neither was wearing a seatbelt. News of the engaged couple's deaths – hours apart and just months away from the wedding they planned to have in February 2026 – shocked those who knew them. Lee had recently graduated from Southern University in Baton Rouge and taught at a science, technology, engineering and mathematics school, and Collins worked as a truck driver. They had bought a new home. The couple's survivors then received an 'overwhelming outpouring of love, prayers and messages from friends, loved ones and even strangers, many [who] have asked how they can help', said a message posted on the website of a GoFundMe campaign established by Lee's sister, Dominque. The message – signed by Dominque Lee – said the aim of the campaign was to support the future of Gabriel, her orphaned nephew, and ensure 'that the legacy of his parents lives on through the opportunities we now can provide for him'. 'I'm heartbroken … that we recently lost … two incredible souls who were building a life together, full of love, dreams and devotion to their little boy,' said the message, which mentioned either establishing a trust fund for Gabriel or saving for his college education. 'While this loss is unimaginable, our commitment to Gabriel is unwavering.' On Facebook, Dominque Lee said she was preparing to have her third child before the deaths of Gabriel's parents – but now she was going to be a mother of four, she wrote. 'Rest [assured] knowing that y'all's son is in good hands,' Lee said in a post that paid tribute to her sister and the man who was going to be her brother-in-law. 'I always told you how I admire the mother you [are] – I'll fill those shoes with honor and compassion.'
Washington Post
23-05-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
New York Islanders hire Tampa Bay Lightning assistant Mathieu Darche as their general manager
The New York Islanders hired Mathieu Darche as their general manager Friday, giving the two-time Stanley Cup-winning Tampa Bay Lightning assistant his long-awaited first chance to run an NHL team. Darche was named executive vice president and GM and put in charge of the organization's hockey operations department. 'Mathieu is the perfect choice to lead our hockey operations,' said co-owner John Collins, who ran the GM search. 'He will be given every resource available to put the Islanders first-in-class on the ice, with our business initiatives and in the community.'
The Independent
22-05-2025
- The Independent
Man racing to be by fiancee's side after she was killed in car wreck dies in a similar tragic crash
A man was killed along the same stretch of highway in Louisiana as his fiancée just hours afterwards, police say. The horrific incident occurred along LA-67 in the early hours of May 16. The couple is survived by their four-year-old son, Gabriel. They had recently bought a home together and were due to be married in February 2026. Alexus Lee, 25, was killed while driving her 2013 Toyota Highlander north when 'for reasons still under investigation,' her car veered off the roadway, striking an obstruction and flipping over. 'Lee was unrestrained, sustained fatal injuries, and was pronounced deceased on the scene,' the Louisiana State Patrol said. Investigators into the crash contacted her partner, John Collins, 35, to tell him about the crash. Tragically, as Collins raced to the scene at a high rate of speed in a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, he 'failed to negotiate a right-hand curve,' causing him to come off the road and strike a tree, reports WAFB. 'Lee was unrestrained, sustained fatal injuries, and was pronounced deceased on the scene,' authorities said. Both Lee and Collins were pronounced dead at their respective scenes. The cause of both crashes is under investigation, with toxicology reports pending. Collins' father, Arthur, told WAFB that he is struggling to cope with the tragedy. 'I love them and I'm gonna miss both of them and I'm gonna find the strength to go ahead,' he said. His mother, Sandra, also spoke out. 'He loved Alexus as well as everybody else who knew her. To know her was to love her,' she added. The grieving parents said that they have tried to explain to their grandson what has unfolded. 'He understands what happened, and he's just having a little problem comprehending that we can't talk to them. We can't see them, but he understands that they are asleep and are with God,' Sandra said. Heartfelt tributes have been pouring in for the young couple online. Lee's former high school, East Feliciana Public Schools, wrote: 'It is with great sadness we inform you that Ms. Alexus Lee, 2017 graduate of East Feliciana High School and teacher at East Feliciana STEAM Academy, passed away. 'Please join us in wrapping Ms. Lee's family in prayer and love during this difficult time,' they said. Lee's friend Meche Danielle wrote on her Facebook page: 'So many nights we spent stressing over Math 117 at UL !! Countless meals and conversations we shared. My heart truly goes out to your son, such a loving and caring soul gone too soon !! Get your rest babygirl Alexus Lee.' Todd Collins, John's brother, and Lee's brother-in-law, said Lee 'always had my back'. 'My dear sister in law, you were the best and I'm surely going to miss you. They just don't make them like you! Not only did you love my brother and nephew, you always made sure Uncle Todd was straight, whether it was a meal or a ride to the doctor, you had my back.' Lee's funeral was held on Wednesday in Clinton, Louisiana.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Adorable little boy left orphaned after parents both die in TWO freak accidents just hours apart
An engaged couple from Baton Rouge tragically died in separate car crashes just hours apart, leaving their 4-year-old son, Gabriel, without his parents. Alexus Lee, 25, and her fiancé, John 'JR' Collins, 35, had just bought a house ahead of their February 2026 wedding when both were killed in freak crashes less than two hours apart early Friday morning. According to Louisiana State Police, Lee was driving north on LA 67 near Lemon Road in Zachary when she lost control of her Toyota Highlander shortly after 2 am. Her SUV crashed into a culvert and flipped. The mother-of-one and teacher at STEAM Academy in Clinton died at the scene. When investigators notified her fiancé, Collins, he left to go to the crash site. On his way there, he lost control of his Chevrolet Camaro. Police say Collins was driving south on LA 67 near Idlewild Road around 3:45 am when he failed to complete a curve, ran off the left side of the road, and struck a tree. He also died at the scene. Neither Lee nor Collins was wearing a seatbelt, according to police. Investigations into both crashes are ongoing. 'I love them and I'm gonna miss both of them, and I'm gonna find the strength to go ahead,' Collins' father, Arthur Collins, told WAFB. Holding back tears, the families of Lee and Collins reflected on the lives of the couple, whose love story ended too soon. Collins' parents held hands as they spoke of the pair's whirlwind romance. 'He loved Alexus as well as everybody else who knew her. To know her was to love her,' Collins' mother, Sandra Collins, said. 'Losing Lexus just different. It was a different feeling, and it's like I know a part of me gone,' said Alexus's sister, Dominque Lee, through tears. Now, the couple's 4-year-old son is left orphaned. 'He understands what happened, and he's just having a little problem comprehending that we can't talk to them. We can't see them, but he understands that they are asleep and are with God,' Sandra said. Lee was a recent Southern University graduate who taught at East Feliciana STEAM Academy. Collins was a truck driver who loved sports cars, WAFB reported. Despite the heartbreaking loss, their families say their love lives on through Gabriel. 'Even though they left a child behind, we have a great support system. The two families will blend, and we will do whatever it takes to give him a good life,' Collins' father said. A joint celebration of life for the couple is scheduled for Wednesday.
