Glenn Healy was always my favorite Islander.  As you saw in yesterday’s post, I kept my Isles 35 license plate.  Gotta love a hockey player that plays bagpipes.

However, there were a bunch of unsung players that I really liked over my Islander watching career.  I will dedicate a paragraph or so to some of them.  So here we go.

1. Anders Kallur - when you look at the Islanders dynasty over the years, you think of Trots, Boss, Potvin, Smitty, etc.  Usually the name Anders Kallur does not come up.  However, in my opinion, he was critical to the overall success of the team.  He played from 1979 to 1985 - and was a pivotal part of the 4 cup victories.  A offensive stalwart in Sweden, he joined the team during cup 1 and scored 36 goals in that season.  Over the rest of his career, he became a checking center, and was crucial in winning faceoffs, and penalty killing.  He left after the 1985 season.  Him and Stefan Persson were the first European trained players to have their name etched on the Stanley Cup.  Anders is now a European scout for the Islanders.  I had the honor of carrying his banner on the 1980 anniversary of the Stanley Cup team.  A nice man, so many people had such nice things to say about him, when we walked to the arena.
2. Steve Thomas - Alias “STUMPY”, this solid player born in the UK, made an immediate fan impact, when he was acquired from the Blackhawks in 1991 with Adam Creighton for Brent Sutter.  Before that, the Toronto raised centerman, came to the NHL through the Maple Leaf System.  It was during his years wearing #32 for the Islanders that he had his best years.  In the magical run of 1992-1993 he had 87 points for the Isles, and took the top line responsilbility when Pierre Turgeon was knocked out by Dale Hunter.  In the next season, he had a career high 42 goals.  After the 1995 season, he went to New Jersey, and his numbers never equaled his years in New York.  He was a key face off guy, the one that would deliver a big blow, or tussle in front of the net.  He did it all, and definitely was a fan fave.  Also - he was in the movie Youngblood, and got a towel whacking from Patrick Swayze.
3. David Volek - A large enigma from now the Czech reublic, Volek burst onto the NHL scene in 1989.  In his rookie season, he made the NHL All Rookie team, scoring 25 goals and 59 points.  Although his numbers stayed consistent, he just never became that player the Isles expected him to be, when he was a late round draft pick in 1984.  However, Volek will be forever remembered by just one goal.  At a time where his play was extremely limited, and in constant bickering with Islander management, Volek was placed back in the lineup with the Turgeon situation.  Then at Game 7 of the Penguin series, he received a pass from Ray Ferraro in overtime, and put the puck past Tom Barrasso to lift the Islanders past the two-time Stanley Cup Champions.  It would be his defining moment as an Islander, because a herniated disk basically ended his career the next season.  He was a scout in the Buffalo system, until becoming a coach in his native Czech republic.

That is it for today.  I will do some more tomorrow.  Have a great day!

If you can, the NYI Booster Club has a meeting tonight, and Shawn Bates is our guest.  Should be a fun night tonight.  Hope to see you there.

Unfortunately, I did not see much of the game last night.  On Tuesday nights, if I am not at a home game, I am bowling at Farmingdale Lanes in my Tuesday night Nite Owls mixed league.

It was a great night on the lanes for me.  I shot a 715 series last night (246-267-200).  I have been struggling all season, and for the last two weeks, I have had my “A” game going.  I had a 620 last week.

I got to listen to the last 10 minutes of the game.  I was watching on the big screen in the bar every chance I got.  However, I really did not see a lot of the game.  From what I heard from Steve and Chris, the team did play well, and Marc-Andre Fleury was definitely the difference.  Andy Hilbert got a shot off (one of his 8 of the day) and the puck was literally millimeters away from tying the game.

Viktor Kozlov, replacing Yashin on the top line, got his 5th of the season, with Jason Blake extending his point scoring streak to six games.  Arron Asham, promoted to the 3rd line, got his second to give the Isles a 2-1 lead in the second stanza.  Colby Armstrong scored his first two goals (one in the first and one in the second) to have the game knotted at two after two.

Newcomer Chris Thorburn got a fluky bank shot past Rick DiPietro early in the third period, which held up for the game winning shot.  Fleury stopped 14 of his 33 saves in the last period.

The team played well, but unfortunately for them, they remain in second in the division, one point behind the Rangers, who got another point via an overtime loss to Atlanta.  The Rangers are two points ahead of the Islanders with two more games played.  The Isles get back to work with the Flyers coming to the Island.  Then back to the Steel City for a Saturday night affair.  The Isles are having a game watching party at the Race Palace in Plainview on Saturday.  Why don’t you stop by and watch the game with some close Islander fan friends.

Listen to the NY Hockey Report tonight.  It will be an Islander themed show. Joe McDonald, the host, is off being the official Rangers Mascot, so Patrick Hickey, the blog writer of the DriveForFive blogspot, will be guest hosting with Derek and myself.  We should have a great time busting on Joe, talking about the Isles, and other stuff.  Hope you can listen.  Also - check out the Face Off Hockey show, which follows us.  Go to www.allinbroadcasting.com and check it out.  They are funny, and always provide some good insight.

See ya.

Gary

Last night, the Islanders GM garth Snow was the guest at the first Islanders Booster Club meeting for 2006-07.

He rocked the house!

He was candid, funny and brought a lot of information to the table about the team, and the life of a new General Manager.  He had some great comments about the team, he is excited about the way they have played of late, and had some interesting insights about some specific issues, especially Nilsson, and Bergenheim, among others.

I will deflect most of my musing on this to Dee Karl (alias the 7th Woman), who will be writing the article for the Booster Club.  This will be posted on the NY Islanders Booster Club web site next week, and will be in the Club Newsletter as well.

He was so impressed by how the club operates and gets involved, that he even JOINED the Club!

Great guest, and stand up guy!

The next meeting of the club, is on Monday, November 13th, at the Long Island Marriott.  We have not officially named the guest, but between you and me, it MAY be a guy that sits behind the players at games, and wears a suit and tie.

But you did NOT hear it from me….

Gary

Sorry for the late post… I had a LAZY day yesterday, which was much needed.  The Stanley Cup champs came in.  And we got 2 points!

What a game.  The team had the lead, lost it, and got it back. The Isles played a strong game, and lapsed a little during the third period, as a result of a Peter Laviolette ‘blown head gasket’ during a time out in the third.  He let into his guys, and they responded with a shortie, and two other goals, to take a lead with about 5 and 1/2 minutes left in the third frame. 

Silly got his fourth goal in consecutive games, and got a wet kiss from Blakey in the celebration.  It was a great second effort, to tie the score 90 seconds after Carolina took the lead.  Carolina’s Mike Commodore took a penalty with about a minute left in regulation to give the Isles a PP that would go into Overtime.

After securing the first point, Tom Poti got his second goal of the season, a blast that Sillinger screened the goalie John Grahame on, to put the Islanders to a 500 record at 3-3-2.  The team is in a 5 way tie for 7th place, but after a tenth of the season in the books, we are not looking as anemic and pathetic as everyone said we would.

Three Stars

1. Alexei Yashin - Many folks are probably saying “FINALLY” - doing what he is supposed to do.  I think he has done a lot, many things that the skeptical fan does not see.  But 7 pts in the last 2 games is a way of silencing critics.  Is he for real?  I think so!
2. Mike Sillinger - Goals in 4 straight - 3rd in the league in face offs.  Great pickup Mr. Smith… Oh - sorry you are not here.. Thanks anyway!
3. Tom Poti - game winning goal.  Again - he is not supposed to be Brian Leetch, but he is playing admirably.  Doing the job.  We will take guys like that any time.  Oh - by the way, how is the Ranger D doing??? Hmmm…
4. Honorable mention - Rick DiPietro - good to see him back - had a good first 40 minutes.  Had a hiccup in the 3rd, but played a strong game.  Thanks to Mike Dunham for holding the spot so well.

Gold Star Award - Two awards: 1. NY Islanders - a great job by the Community Relations team, and all that were involved with the kids opening day.  Two hours befor the doors opened up, games, face painting and all sorts of things were there for the kids to enjoy.  Even with the ‘Auntie M’ Wizard of Oz winds, it went off real well.  Having mascots like Stormy, Storm, Sabertooth and Stinger to hang out with Sparky (All S’s), it made the day special for the kids. 2.  The Hartford Whalers Booster Club - since 1997, the club supporting the ‘Whale’ is still around and still involved.  Twenty or so, took the bus down to Long Island, and sat in 317.  Some were Carolina rooters, some were Islander rooters, some unsure, but it is absolutely great to see the Green and Blue jerseys.  Hartford has a lot of special meaning to me (my first date with my wife was an Isles-Whalers game at the mall).  Glad to see you guys!  I really hope that someday an NHL team returns to Connecticut’s capital.

Tin Twit Award - Don’t really have one.  Nothing really cheesed me off.  It was a nice night. Well - the $7.50 for a beer at Doolin’s after the game is a little costly.  You can almost by an Itish pub for that!

BOOSTER CLUB STUFF - Garth Snow is visiting the Booster Club tonight.  7:30 at the Amiptheater in the Long Island Marriott.  If you are not a member, it is a $5.00 cost to attend.  However, if you join that night, the $5.00 will go towards your membership.  Great chance to talk to the GM, take a picture, or get an autograph.  Will be doing a Q&A session, so come on down.

Talk soon,

Gary

Just returned home from the convention.  As I stated in an earlier post, this convention is a great way where fans from all over the US and Canada get together in a great social environment, spreading the love of hockey and the addition/enhancement of friendships.

Friday night, was the start of the activities.  Since the theme of this convention was “Buffalo - feel the warmth!”, the theme is a POLAR BEACH PARTY!  People were dressed in ‘cold’ themes.

There are many people that don’t like to get in costume (myself included… I embarass easily).  However, some people take this to the extreme!  It is usually the QUIET ones, well, you know what I mean.

After some “Buffalo Themed Buffet food”, conventioneers were dancing the night away, as well as ‘hanging’ in hospitality rooms, getting to know each other, as well as bidding on some silent auction and chinese auction items (ask me to see my Josh Harding puck). 

I also had the opportunity to get interviewed on Channel 2 in Buffalo on Friday afternoon.  You will see that when the season starts, the Sabres are changing their uniforms.  From the looks of the logo, it seems to be the St. Louis Rams logo on Quaaludes!  Since the Islanders have had that type of situation before, (remember that lovely logo!!!) the TV station asked for someone from the Islanders Club to talk about it.  And since I just happened to be walking by the Sabres convention room, well, there I was…

They (Channel 2) did two pieces, one on the logo, and one about the defunct clubs that attend convention.  Since their teams have left the NHL, fans from the Minnesota North Stars, Hartford Whalers, California Golden Seals, Cleveland Barons and Atlanta Flames, attend the convention.  Even though some places got new teams (i.e. Minnesota, Atlanta and California), the old clubs still exist and perform vital functions to their respective communities.  It is great that they still represent themselves in a classy manner.

Saturday was for actual ‘convention business’…  A representative from each team spoke about their club, what things they do, and what they intend to do for next year.  Since my wife Claire is now the President of the NY Islanders Booster Club, she gave our speech.  She told all about the great charity work that they do, as well as even made a joke about the recent moves that the team made.  She even brought ‘Charles Wang’s sorcerer to the speech (see picture).

After the meeting, some went on a trip on the “Miss Buffalo” - heading on a trip on Lake Erie.  Some had a delegates meeting, to discuss convention business.  If a city wants to host this convention, it needs to be approved two years prior.  Philadelphia bid to host 2007 and was approved last season.  Chicago bid for 2008 and was subsequently approved by the delegates.

Saturday night theme was a ‘pajama party’.  In past conventions, we have had theme nights where we had to get dressed in semi-formal attire.  Although these functions were nice and well presented, many people just do not feel that getting a suit or dress on, is just the way to go.  So wearing pajamas or a night gown is not such a bad thing (even the pictures will give it justice).

After some pomp and circumstance (the passing of the gavel from Buffalo to Philly), and the award for the most members attending convetion (tie between the Rangers and Red Wings).  It was dancing the night away and more socializing.

Also - the last thing that happens at convention is the annual SURVIVOR NIGHT.  Basically, it means hanging out in a room, staying up ALL NIGHT.  Not a problem for most, some can not handle it (like myself), but I believe over 50 did.  Playing games, doing stunts, and basically just being themselves.  It makes for the end of a great weekend.

Such friendships are created from this convention.  Believe it or not - many fans from teams that hold serious rivalries have good friendships.  Rangers - Islanders, Philly - Pittsburgh, LA - Anaheim.  In the case of this convention, Hartford - Carolina. 

Sunday means saying goodbyes, wishing each other well, and hopefully seeing each other during the season.  If not then, Philadelphia next summer.  In my personal experience, I have attended 18 consecutive conventions.  From Chicago to Vancouver, to today, I have had 18 wonderful weeks, meeting all sorts of people.  I feel sad that I am missing out next year.  My nephew is getting married on that weekend and I have to go to Cedar Rapids Iowa.  Anyway, it was a great week, that usually begins to get me excited and ready for the upcoming hockey season.

The Islanders sent 17 to convention.  We all had a great time in Buffalo.  We will be looking forward to attending the next one in Philly next year.

 Next week - we will finally get down to HOCKEY business. 

Gary

As with any convention, there are many trips that are done/planned to provide people with a view of the city.  As with this NHLBCC Convention, we did a few trips before the actual convention, which started on Friday night.

The first trip that we went to, was the ERIE CANAL.  We travelled along the locks that would eventually connect the Western part of New York State from Albany, which would then connect to New York City.

It was really cool how inside this closed up ‘tube’, the water comes up to lift the boat in some cases nearly 40 feet to connect to the next body of water.  Hundreds of years ago, that kind of trip would take weeks to do, where it now would take days.

Here is a picture of a view from the canal.

Later in the day, we visited the Herschell Caroussel museum in North Tonawanda.  You many have noticed that I spelled the word Carousel wrong.  According to Mr. Herschell, a early 20th century pioneer in the business.  This is the way that it should be spelled.

He was an innovator in the way that the carousel was brought to the public.  There were hundreds of craftsmen carving and shaping the animals. The 5 cent ride that many of us got to take on a vintage refurbished carousel that was built in 1917 brought back many memories for the conventioneers.  I have included a picture of my wife Claire on one of the horses.  

For the next entry, I will talk about the POLAR BEACH PARTY - yes a polar beach party…

See ya,

Gary

It is a beautiful day on the western end of New York State.

And hockey is on the minds of over 200 people at the Adams Mark Hotel, as the 37th Annual National Hockey League Booster Club convention is being hosted by the Buffalo Sabres Booster Club.

For nearly four decades, fans from across the United States, Canada, and some from Europe, have gotten together to celebrate the game of hockey, the friendship of fans representing dozens of NHL teams, and the social enjoyment of all that attend.

I, for the past seventeen years, have attended this annual event.  I have had the privilege of meeting thousands of great people, and learning a lot about the game I love from them.  The convention has been a way for fans to know that there are friendly faces when someone makes a road trip to see their team play.  In many cases, in my personal history, it has made a sojurn to see our team play, a little more easier to handle.

Claire and I checked into the Adams Mark today, after a few days visiting friends.  As soon as you get into the hotel, it is like a family reunion.  In many cases, you may not see people any other time in the year except now, it is always such a joy.  There are many people that I know from this, that I absolutely enjoy spending time with.  We can talk about our teams, joke, and engage in friendly banter; the kind that you would have with a mate at a pub or bar.

Tomorrow - we have a trip planned to visit the Erie Canal.  Will talk about that, and some other interesting things tomorrow. 

Gary

For those of you that do NOT know me, I have been a member of the New York Islanders Booster Club since 1988.

What is a Booster, you ask?

Well - to make it simple, we are the Only Official Support organization recognized by the Islanders.  Since 1972, thousands of fans have been involved with the Islanders in so many ways.

1.  Trips.  The club supports the team on the road.  Every season, the club goes on at least 3 trips a year to see the Islanders play the rest of the NHL.  For example, this season, we are looking to go to Pittsburgh, Montreal, Washington, and Carolina, among others.  It is always fun to see the team before the game, and let them know that we drove up or down to see them.  I really think they appreciate it.

2.  Meetings - we have a meeting every month during the season, where we have someone from the organization visit us.  Last season, we had Brad Shaw, Brent Sopel, Brad Lukowich and Alexei Yashin visit us.  It is a nice way to get to know the guys outside of the uniform.

3.  Charity.  This is one of the least recoginzed, but most important factors.  We (the club) get involved with a lot of charitable endeavors.  We collect school supplies, cleaning products for needy groups, money for organizations, as well as do Chinese auctions.  These are great ways to provide money and services for Long Island companies. 

The Islanders give us a table on the concourse at home games (see us at Gate 3), and they have been extremely helpful to us.  Being a booster does not mean you are better than any other fan.  It doesn’t mean that you love the team any better than anyone else.  It just means that you support an organization that will do whatever it can, to support the Islanders organization, whether on or off the ice.

For four years (1997-2001), I had the privilege of serving as President of this organization.  I am proud of that time, and the things that we have accomplished.  Currently, my newlywed, Claire, is now starting her second of four years as President.  She is a passionate supporter who will do anything possible to make this organization succeed and thrive.

If you are interested in joining the club, you can visit our website, which is www.nyiboosterclub.org.  Stop by the table at Gate 3 and say hello.

As of Sunday, August 6th, I am heading to Buffalo to attend the National Hockey League Booster Club COnvention, which is being hosted by the Buffalo Sabres Booster Club.  During the next week, I will be talking about the convention, the interaction between other booster/fan club members and just what goes on in a social event like this.

Talk to you in Buffalo.  I will be ’shuffling’ along soon.

Gary