Should The Islanders Give Corey Trivino A Chance?
ChrisTriants | Aug 07, 2012 | Comments 13
A saga finally came to an end this afteroon over in Islanders Country. The New York Islanders 2nd-Round Draft Choice in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Corey Trivino, pleaded guilty to assaulting a college graduate in her dorm room last winter. For those who aren’t familiar with Trivino, Corey was the leading scorer at Boston University until he was kicked off the team for his actions.
This was not Corey Trivino’s first incident at BU. Last season, Corey was suspended from the team for skipping out on a mandatory bike ride, which was meant to be discipline for an alcohol related incident on St Patrick’s Day 2011.
Now, Corey is out of college and looking for his first NHL contract. Corey, who will be on probation for the next few years, is seeking the highest bidder, but there’s one thing him and his agent forgot to think about: Corey is still property of the New York Islanders.
According to Arthur Staple in two Tweets:
“According to #Isles, Corey Trivino is NOT invited to training camp. He is still team property, but will not be signed or invited. 2008 NHL draft picks who graduate college must be signed by Aug. 15 or become FAs. Since Trivino is ineligible, he is in limbo.”
Apparently, the Islanders and Corey Trivino’s camp have two different ideas of what is happening. Assuming the New York Islanders are right, and Trivino does remain property of the New York Islanders, are the Islanders really going to keep Trivino away from this team? I guess the better question would be this: Should the Islanders keep Corey Trivino away from the team?
Well, I don’t think there is any simple answer. It’s complicated. I mean, the New York Islanders have had other troublesome prospects in their system, but none that have kept up with their nonsense at 22-years old. Trivino has shown zero maturity (if there’s a scale for that) over his past two years at BU, even after he finally got his chance to shine after missing the bulk of his first two years due to injury.
Trivino was expected to be a first-round pick by some in 2008, but there were questions of his character. Some NHL scouts felt he was emotionally unstable going into the draft, and then avoided drafting the talent because of this. Of course, the Islanders gave him a chance, which is 100% in character for a team that has struggled to find any talent from outside of the organization. Trivino was definitely proving the talent was there, as he was leading Hockey East with 13 goals before he was kicked off the team in December.
Obviously, statistics and character are two separate entities. If it were all about talent, Corey Trivino’s status with the Islanders would probably not be in question right now. Is it fair to deem Trivino a failure after making a terrible mistake, though?
I would never defend Trivino’s actions, but is it really about his actions anymore? The Islanders took Trivino in 2008 for his talent, and not the character that was in question. It’s not like there weren’t a few red flags before the Islanders selected him with the 36th overall pick in 2008. Sure, he pleaded guilty for something that is absolutely inexcusable, but it’s over in the sense that it’s time to move on for him, and prove he can better himself.
Corey Trivino, a centre, would probably be the #1 centre going into Bridgeport if he were to sign a contract with the Islanders, and I do think the Islanders should at least extend an invitation to the troubled athlete. If the assumption that he is still Islanders property is accurate, then sure, the Islanders could probably trade him for some jelly-beans, but what good is that for the organization? Again, he was a first-round talent on some scouting reports. The team would need to try to get some value out of their pick.
What sense is it to make him sit for an entire season? The Islanders would get nothing. Trivino’s career would be held back by a team that has no right to play judge. The team has to do what’s right for the Islanders, and if it means giving the kid one shot to prove himself, then do it. Casey Cizikas overcame some serious charges, and it looks like he will have a place on the Islanders one day, if not this year. Kirill Kabanov is loved my Islanders fans, and has become matured throughout his tenure within the organiztaion. Maybe Corey Trivino can do the same. Maybe Corey Trivino can bring his first-round talent to the Island while pushing his troubles behind him.
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Filed Under: New York Islanders
Talented or not, this kid seems like a total jackass. The isles have serious perception issues already: they have one of the most negative perceptions of any pro sports team in North America. I don’t know if this kid’s “talent” is worth the baggage and nonsense he will bring to the organization. He will be around other prospects and young players, who I don’t want to be influenced by this kid. I say trade his rights to some other team. If nobody bites, maybe consider signing him and letting him show up to camp.
Fair points. I struggled with my decision when I was writing this. It’s definitely fair to say his actions could affect the team’s younger players, especially since he would be older than most of them (he’s older than Tavares as well).
Regardless, I think negative perceptions can be quickly turned around..Nonsense is not something the Islanders need, but the team knows this. They have shown it when they silenced the likes of Kirill Kabanov when Kirill was being Kirill a few years back. One thing I have to say is I trust Garth in the sense that he will not allow there to be any disturbances within the roster…If Corey can fix himself, he will be here…but, he will definitely be traded or let go if Snow deems Trivino to be even the slightest bit of trouble.
No way he should be given an easy path to this team, though..If the Islanders do decide to keep him, he better earn every millisecond of his playing time, whether it be in the minors or with the Islanders.
I agree 100%. The Isles should at least let him try out. If he makes it then they need to watch him like a hawk so he doesn’t poison the rest of the kids.
We have 2 different scenarios. Kabanov might have some issues regarding maturity but Trivino is a criminal. So I wouldn’t say just because the Isles gave Kabby a shot that it should mean the Isles need to give Trivino the same opportunity based on the nature of the crime. But with that being said. I do think the Isles would be biting their own nose off to spit their face by not at least giving him a chance to redeem himself. He’s human and humans make mistakes. Maybe this will be a life changing event which finally gets him on the right track.
You a right about the difference of issues. I wasn’t trying to liken the severity, but more so the maturity. I would like to see him get a fair shot in the NHL with the Islanders. You know, as much wrong as he as done, America loves a comeback story. Maybe the kid grows up and plays himself into positive headlines. Thanks for always taking the time to comment over here.
Having talked to Trevino several times (and seen him play both in person and numerous times on TV at BU):
1) He’s not a bad kid; i.e. he’s not malicious. He’s also not the brightest bulb in the chandelier, but that hardly makes him unique in hockey.
2) He has a very serious alcohol problem (he was beyond drunk when the incident occurred, having been put to bed by his teammates and gone out again). He was warned before his senior season by his coach that he would get one more chance–and the coach said he didn’t expect Trivino to make it through the season without blowing that chance.
3) His family situation is, to be charitable, unstable. Check some of the Boston papers for background. It has contributed to his problems.
4) He has talent, although that talent took a long time to come out.
The Isles (or any team that signs him) would be taking a risk, but it’s probably a low-level, high-reward one. He probably starts in the ECHL (he’s been off skates for 8 months now) and tries to play his way up.
Before his senior season, I didn’t think he’d make it in the NHL. His scoring outburst turned some heads before he kicked away the rest of his season.
In the end, I might sign him — with the proviso that he’s on a very short leash and isn’t likely to get a second chance if he messes this one up. They might want to invest in an AA counselor.
Thanks for the comment! I’m aware of the unstability, and it’s been said that this has been a big role in some of his “demons.” The kid’s got a while to go, and I agree when you say the talent took a long time to come out. I remember two years ago thinking this kid was never going to make it.
Hopefully he gets his act together. He’s on two years probation, and will have to submit random drug and alcohol tests to the NHL. It’s going to be a challenge for him from here on, but I’m sure the guy’s got some good in him. I’m sure he’s not a bad guy- it was a drunken mistake that cost him, but those mistakes get a lot of people in trouble. If anything, this is his second chance, so if he gets his head on straight, maybe he can find a career in the NHL.
I’m pulling for the kid.
I agree with this. Look, the sports world is littered with “bad guys”. Luckily for us hockey fans, we rarely see this, however, sports franchises forgive athletes for their off the field mistakes left and right (provided its worth it to them on the field). In this situation, we are talking about a kid who hasnt even gotten a chance yet in the pros. Are the Islanders really in a position to just cast off late 1st round talent because he made some bad decisions in college? (the answer is a resounding “No”). Hell, at this point, I think most Islander fans would agree to sign the Rikers Island hockey team if it meant a playoff birth.
I think from a hockey perspective, the Islanders should hold on to Trivino. There are plenty of “bad guys” everywhere, and only very few athletes are exiled due to their behavior. I think Corey should get a shot, but again, what he did was inexcusable. People do get better, though. Maybe Trivino can give back.
If this was your daughter os sister, would you want becoming a professional athlete, with all that goes along with that?
—Taken from BU Today
At her own request, the victim stood before the court and read aloud a prepared victim impact statement that lasted several minutes—not once making eye contact with Trivino, who appeared emotionless as she spoke.
“This experience has affected every ounce of my being,” she said, and because of it “my entire world fell apart.” She described the nightmares she’s experienced, counseling she’s received, friends lost, and her relationship with her now-estranged sister, as well as missed hours of school and work and other financial burdens she encountered as a direct result of Trivino’s actions. Her voice shook with emotion as she told of her inability to look men directly in the eye anymore, and when she added, “I think I see Corey all the time when I’m in this city.”
The victim asked Judge Patricia Bernstein to issue a decision that would “put a price on the pain and suffering I’ve experienced.” And she said that while yesterday meant an end to months of legal proceedings, “unfortunately for me there is no ending because the mind does not forget. I did nothing wrong to bring this situation on myself.”
what exactly did Trivino do?
No, I wouldn’t, but I guess the guy has the right to work. But no, I wouldn’t want him playing in the league, but I also wouldn’t want him doing anything, ever, if that was my daughter or sister.
To Rob, Trivino was very drunk one night, and forcibly entered an RA’s dorm room. He tried to force himself on the woman, and at one point, laid in her bed and refused to leave. He left. When he returned, he forced himself back into the room and started kissing her. He pleaded guilty on assault and battery charges.
Oh, so he really scared the hell out of his victim. I hate to say this but he should consider herself lucky. It could’ve been worse.