From 1984-91, Regier served in various capacities with the Islanders, under coach Al Arbour and general manager Bill Torrey. He left to take a position as assistant coach with the Hartford Whalers for the 1991–92 season. He then returned to the Islanders, serving as assistant GM to Don Maloney and as interim GM when Maloney was fired during the 1995–96 season. Regier was fired by the Islanders in 1997, then hired as GM of the Buffalo Sabres in the summer of the same year.