Hall of Fame hockey general manager Bill Torrey, considered the architect of the Islanders dynasty teams of the 1980s, died Thursday at the age of 83.

Torrey was the team’s first employee and GM of the Islanders for all four of their Stanley Cup seasons. They also won 19 straight playoff series, which still stands as the longest streak in professional sports.

He served as GM with the team from 1972 until 1992, when he joined the Florida Panthers as president.

MORE: Bobby Nystrom remembers Bill Torrey

Torrey was known for his signature bowties and had a banner for him raised at Nassau Coliseum.

Torrey made the trade for Butch Goring that ignited the Islanders’ Stanley Cup run. News 12 caught up with Goring today.

“Whatever notoriety I have in my career, I owe it to Bill Torrey,” said Goring. “Without that trade that gets me to play with the New York Islanders, win four Stanley Cups and a Conn Smythe Trophy ... I would have had a very good career in L.A. but certainly not the finishing touches on my career.  As much as people talk about all the players that played for the New York Islanders, and the accomplishments, it always starts at the top, no doubt about it.”