Doug Houda & Brian Wiseman Added to Lane Lambert’s Staff

New York Islanders head coach Lane Lambert was given the opportunity by team president and general manager Lou Lamoriello to pick his own coaching staff for the 2022-23 season. It’s customary that when a new coach is brought in, they get their picks. Barry Trotz’s assistants, John Gruden and Jim Hiller were relieved of their duties shortly after Lambert was promoted from associate coach to head coach.

On Tuesday, the New York Islanders announced that Doug Houda and Brian Wiseman have been named assistant coaches to Lane Lambert’s staff.

Doug Houda, 63, played 15 seasons in the National Hockey league. He was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round (28th overall) in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. He played with Lane Lambert in Detroit for one season (1985-1986) and was also a member of the New York Islanders for two seasons (1996-1998). Houda also played for the Hartford Whalers, Buffalo Sabres, Anaheim Mighty Ducks, and Los Angeles Kings.

Since 2016, Houda has been a member of the Detroit Red Wings coaching staff. He was brought into Detroit to help with their penalty kill units and their play on the defensive side of the puck. Prior to joining Detroit, he served as an assistant with the Boston Bruins for 10 years.

The veteran assistant coach won the Stanley Cup with the Bruins back in 2011.

Brian Wiseman, 50, was a New York Rangers draft selection back in the 12th round (257) of the 1991 NHL Draft. Wiseman played just three games at the NHL, as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

He played four years at the University of Michigan (1990-1994), before a two-year stay in the IHL with the Chicago Wolves. From there he went to Toronto Maple Leafs AHL affiliate at the time, the St. John’s Maple Leafs.

After his short NHL career, he finished his professional playing days back in the IHL as a member of the Houston Aeros (1997-2000).

Wiseman was an assistant coach with the Edmonton Oilers from 2019 to the end of this season. Previously he was an assistant coach with the University of Michigan from 2011-2019 before getting the opportunity in Edmonton.

Wiseman’s skillset lies in skill development, particularly with younger players.