WHEN ALYSSA MILANO DATED AN ISLANDER
Two decades ago, the very young co-star of “Who’s The Boss” had a coast-to-coast romance with Islanders defenseman Wayne McBean
The Mike Comrie-Hilary Duff relationship is not the first time an Islander has been close with a star. Twenty years ago Islanders defenseman Wayne McBean dated Alyssa Milano, who was known at the time for being one of the kids in the popular ABC sitcom “Who’s The Boss” and is now known for dating athletes far more famous than The Beaner.
Back then, Milano would go on Johnny Carson and Arsenio Hall’s shows to talk about how she fell hard for McBean. When she was in LA shooting her TV show, the sports section of the LA Times ran a picture of the 18-year old the Kings picked in the first round of the NHL Draft. Milano swooned and asked her people to arrange a meeting. Ah, the power of being on a hit TV show with Tony Danza. I love the ’80s.
A smooth-skating defenseman, McBean was selected by the Kings fourth overall in the 1987 draft. About a year and a half later, he was traded with fellow prospect (and Medicine Hat teammate) Mark Fitzpatrick along with a Doug Crossman to be named later for Kelly Hrudey. I remember two things about that day: the Islanders’ ticket sales director being really pissed that Bill Torrey had dealt one of the team’s two stars – Pat LaFontaine was the other – and Kelly having the class to walk around the offices and shake hands with everyone before cleaning out his locker.
Like Comrie today, the Calgary-born McBean had no trouble separating his private life from his playing career. He took shots about dating Milano, but just shrugged them off. When the relationship ended in 1990, everyone at the Islanders heard about it the same way: from the tabloids. The Beaner never said a word or acted like anything was different.
A chronic wrist injury ended Wayne’s career in 1994, after playing just 20 games in ’92-93 with the Islanders’ minor league affiliate in Albany (remember the Capital District Islanders?). I’m told he’s back in Calgary today, enjoying life as he approaches 40.
Alyssa, of course, has been on “Charmed” and “My Name is Earl,” played Amy Fisher in a hilariously bad TV movie, performed impressive charitable work for UNICEF and PETA, blogged for Major League Baseball and dated Brad Penny, ironman Carl Pavano, Barry Zito and Russell Martin, separately. I saw her at an MLB All-Star Party this summer and I’m happy to report she remains a lovely, lovely woman.
According to official records, Alyssa turns 36 in December – which means she was approaching her 15th birthday when she saw Beaner’s draft picture in the LA Times and had her people call the Kings. In every sense of the word, Wayne McBean truly was a first-rounder.
One Response to “WHEN ALYSSA MILANO DATED AN ISLANDER”
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Hey, Chris… Greetings from Troy, NY - long-ago home of the Capital District Islanders! Home of the CDI was always here in Troy, where they played at Houston Field House (long-time home of NCAA Div. 1 RPI) - never across the river in Albany, although that’s where the franchise ended up a couple of years later after being sold, becoming the Albany River Rats in 1995 (Devils top affiliate for many years, now Carolina’s). Apologies for the history, just speaking up for my city!
And, even though I didn’t live in Troy back then, I was a faithful supporter of the Capital District (yeah, we hated that name, too) Islanders, and I definitely remember Wayne McBean, among others. Some of my favorite players from those teams included guys like Mark Fitzpatrick, Travis Green, Greg Parks, Richie Kromm, and Dennis Vaske. I think I still have a signed stick from Parks (the team’s best scorer), and I know I’ve got game-worn sweaters from Fitzpatrick (who I remember having dinner with at a supporters’ Christmas party) and also Vladimir Malakhov (from the one or two games he was sent down on injury rehab).
Thanks for bringing back some great memories. The team wasn’t great, and the local ownership was a train wreck, but as an Islander fan since I was a 15yr old kid in 1980, having their top affiliate in what was practically my backyard couldn’t be beat.
Keep up the great work, and hopefully I’ll get a chance to say hello when my wife and I visit the Island in March for the back-to-back with the Devils and Coyotes. Let’s get this season started already!
Cheers,
Marc D’Amore
Troy, NY
PS Big thanks for touching on the ridiculous policies of how the team is “reporting” injuries. I’ve been trying to find out what happened to Campoli for three days now. Hope you can turn something up.