Darche took his 2000 McGill University commerce degree, majoring in marketing and international business, into the NHL as a player and most recently as assistant GM and director of hockey operations with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Under GM Julien BriseBois, he helped the Lightning win back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021.

The New York Islanders have hired Mathieu Darche as their next general manager. TSN's Pierre LeBrun first reported the hire. Darche will succeed Lou Lamoriello, who had run New York's front office from 2018-19. The Islanders let Lamoriello go after they missed the playoffs this season.

Darche has served as the Lightning's assistant GM for the past three seasons and worked for Tampa Bay for years.