"I knew playing for all those teams at the end, I got to see a lot of stuff and I took a lot of notes," Gomez said. "I was a student of the game the whole time. I got an Ivy League education right when I got in, a hockey education from some of the greats. There's still guys that I count on and learn from, but it's not just something that we're friends and he's giving me a chance; we did the interview process, and hopefully I can bring something to the table. It doesn't matter how old you are, it's whether you can produce."
After a disappointing start that ultimately led to the firing of coach Jack Capuano on Jan. 17, the Islanders went 24-12-4 under Weight and missed qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs by one point. Gomez said he was not shocked by how the Islanders responded after the change.
"[Capuano's] awesome; we all know how this business works," Gomez said. "But I'm not surprised. Just knowing Doug Weight, he's just got that presence. At the same time, he's a guy that whether you're a fourth-line guy or that guy out of the lineup, he's not going to forget about you. He's always a guy that's going to be there for anyone. I think that's really important as a coach.
"I've known [Doug] a long time, going all the way back to when he played for Lake [Superior] State and he was beating up on our Alaska teams. Playing against him and then playing with him at the World Cup, we'd always be at the board together going over certain plays and situations. He was an American idol to us; he was just unreal to us young guys. He just had that presence."
During his first season of retirement, Gomez said he enjoyed being an analyst on NHL Network. But something was missing and he wanted to be even closer to the action.
"NHL Network was great to me," Gomez said. "But this was my life's goal, my life's work. This is what I know and this is what I want to be a part of. Nothing will ever match playing in the NHL, but all the older guys I've spoken to say this is the closest thing. To be able to give back and work with guys and see it on the ice, that's just as gratifying. I'm definitely excited about that."
Gomez is expected to work with a power play that ranked 28th (14.9 percent) in the NHL this season, though he said that hasn't been determined. He may not be the final addition to the coaching staff; Bob Corkum will not return, but Greg Cronin's status is to be determined. Sportsnet reported this month that Kelly Buchberger, who was Weight's teammate with the Edmonton Oilers, is expected to join the Islanders staff.
"I just got in the door. Whatever [Doug] tells me," Gomez said. "You've got to know all the aspects of the game. I'm not just going in there saying, 'Hey, I know the power play.' No. You've got to learn from the goalie, defense … you've got to learn everything."
He'll be learning from the same man he leaned on during difficult times. Gomez hasn't forgotten how helpful Weight was then.
"It's my turn to give back to Doug Weight," Gomez said. "He got me in the door. It's exciting."
