Montreal native Nick Vachon spent parts of two years in the United States playing college hockey before returning to Canada to play Junior with the Portland Winter Hawks. Though he was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs, he never played in their organization, instead turning pro with the Atlanta Knights of the International League. In 1995 he signed a free agent deal with the Los Angeles Kings and early in the 1996-97 season, L.A. traded him to the New York Islanders in exchange for Chris Marinucci.
Now with his third NHL organization, Vachon learned that the third time was the charm. The Islanders called him up for a game during that season. Vachon, a center who wore #21 with Isles, was unable to crack the score sheet in his only NHL match, however.
Vachon played one more season after that. The 1997-98 campaign was split between the Long Beach Ice Dogs and the Springfield Falcons then Vachon hung up his skates.
