FINAL POSTCARD FROM MONTREAL
All-star defenseman Mark Streit heads back to LI
Last night was everything I could have hoped it would be. Just amazing. And to top it off, we got the win and it was nice to see my old teammate Alexei Kovalev get the MVP. I’d like to thank everyone for reading and for all the nice Comments over the weekend. I really appreciate it.
My flight from Montreal to New York is this afternoon and I’ll re-join my Islanders teammates at practice on Tuesday. Here are my answers to some of your questions related to All-Star Weekend. I’ll see you at the Coliseum on Saturday.
Strummer’s Army: Which of your current teammates do you expect to be All-Stars some day?
There are many. I’m sure Rick DiPietro will be back to the All-Star Game. Some of the young guys like Kyle Okposo and Josh Bailey definitely have the ability to be all-stars. It is up to Kyle and Josh to work hard and keep both feet on the ground. If they do, I believe they can get here.
The Losers: Summarize your All-Star experience in two words.
Unforgettable weekend.
Chris TMC: Who did you enjoy meeting the most?
Sidney Crosby was great to meet. He is very down-to-earth. It was nice getting to know Thomas Vanek and speaking German with him. I shouldn’t single anyone out because it was a thrill to meet all of them and everyone was so kind to me.
Glenn: What was the most enjoyable moment of All-Star Weekend?
The introductions at the Skills were a very big deal and the reaction from the Montreal crowds to me was tremendous. Tonight the intros were shorter but they were still memorable. It’s during the intros that you’re standing there and realizing this amazing thing is really happening.
19 Isle in NJ: Were the players sharing any tips or tricks on the ice with each other at practice?
Not really. Most of the talk is about your teams and how everyone is doing. There isn’t a lot of shop talk. It’s mostly about the teams. Everyone knows how bad our injury situation has been but they know that we’re going to be okay.
Mike from Oceanside: After the fall on Saturday, what player broke your balls about it the most?
It wasn’t that bad. I guess maybe since most of the guys don’t know me that well I was left off the hook. What did happen though is they showed it all over Swiss TV and I got about a dozen messages from buddies back home breaking my balls about it.
Cari: What did you think of Ovechkin’s stunt?
I thought it was pretty funny. It was cool. It surprised a lot of people. I think having a superstar like Alex who brings so much fun to the game is a great thing for the league.
djd: Can you recruit Mike Komisarek to play for the Islanders?
Ha, I talked to Mike but I didn’t talk to him about that. It’s too early. I don’t know what his situation is with the Canadiens. He’s a great guy and an outstanding player and I’d love to have him as a teammate again.
Bryan: How seriously do the coaches take the All-Star Game? Do they talk strategy at all?
The only message from the coaches was to enjoy it and to not worry about any mistakes. The coaches keep it simple. They pretty much stuck with the same lines and D pairings. I was with Jay Bouwmeester. That was a lot of fun. He’s an excellent all-around player, another guy who it was great to have as a teammate – if only for one night.
Comments.
32 Responses to FINAL POSTCARD FROM MONTREAL
All-star defenseman Mark Streit heads back to LI
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Dooks94 says:
Congratulations Mark on your first all-star appearance! You are the shining light in ANOTHER dismal year. A great free agent pickup by Snowy and what’s even better-Mark will be with us for another 4 years! Streit is a great player to build around so I’m very thankful for him to be an Islander! Now that we have a cornerstone we need to build from the ground up! Don’t give up Islander fans! The future is no place to place your better days” -DMB
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Dan from Westchester says:
Just another reason this site is the best sports blog in any sport.
Great job all around.
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the bomber says:
mark you played a great game, congrats on being an All Star. Thank you for making us Islanders fans proud, that doesnt happen much any more, but hopefully will happen much more in the future. Hang in there, this second half will be tough for everyone, just keep having fun…
CB, thanks for this, your site is hands down the best….
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Dmarie says:
First I must say..nice pair of legs he’s sporting in that pic.. ok puckbunny mode is off..(hehe)
I was so happy when he got in to the ASG, I hope he took it all in an enjoyed it for what it was..good job! congrats!
Thanks again CB for bring this sorta thing to Us fans.. much appreciated
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Mark,
Your postcards from MTL are a true testament of how classy you are. Not many athletes take the time to reach out to the fans. Your posts show us how much you appreciate us and, because of that, I’m sure you’ll see how much we appreciate you being an Islander.
Thanks to you and CB for giving us some insight into a memorable experience. -
Jimmy Sparx says:
Awesome coverage of Mark during All Star Weekend……..
Just another reason why this is the 1st place I go to for the latest on the Islanders.
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BeatleBailey says:
All the fans should trade those DP jerseys in for Streit jerseys!!..lol Great job Mark! You represent the team with class.
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Jimmy says:
Congrats Streit not only do you deserve this for being a great player but to carry your self with so much class kudos. Glad to know that you’ll be around the Island for a while and that you’ll be here to be a vital part of the Islanders resurgeance in the coming years!
Lets go ISLES and CB keep up the great work
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Kristie says:
For once I think the Isles ended up with one of the best UFA signings.
I love having Mark on the Isles.
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Two assists, leading the Eastern Conference All-Stars in TOI through regulation, three takeaways, two blocked shots, and a SOG… now that is what I call a successful game for our All Star!
We are all proud, Mark. You did a fine job this weekend representing the Islanders with skill, gracious behavior, and the ability to smile and laugh if something doesnt go as planned. Those are the three reasons why you are absolutely perfect for this team.
Oh- and thank you for answering one of my questions!
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Big Dog says:
Good to have you here for the next 4 years, Mark. Stay healthy!
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Getting to “speak German with Vanek” – love it. Thanks to Streit for those thoughts all weekend, and to CB for getting them.
Islanders scored in so many ways by getting Streit’s name on a long-term contract.
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UIF says:
I was away most of the weekend and didn’t get to follow much of the All Star festivities. But it was great to come to this site today and get a series of firsthand accounts from our rep. Thanks CB and Mark Streit.
And what was the “x-ray rumor” about? All I can gather from the picture posted here is Streit crashed through a sign at some point??
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The best thing about these entries is they give you that much more understanding of the team and the players. Thank you for all the honesty.
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Islander505 says:
That had to be the shortest question in “19Isle in NJ”‘s blogging history.
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Isles fan in CA says:
The best All-Star game I have watched in a long time!! I was glad that we had Mark there representing the Islanders. He truly deserved the honor.
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SIR WILLIAM says:
Class act. Hopefully Snow can pull another couple like you out of his hat….SW
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John says:
Nice work Mark at the allstar game. Now was that some foreshadowing on that d pair of you and Bouwmeester for 09/10. May be with your help Mike K. and Jay B. could help solidify that back end if Snow opens up the purse strings.
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Isle_in_LA says:
Let’s not forget that Mark was plus 3 in an 11-11 game:) Congrats!
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
It was exactly the Game what the AllStar Game should be. Nice goals, good goaltending (exlude Henrik) and the end with the shootout. Mark looked great. His hockey stick was in the right place all game. Bowmister should make that pass to Mark on the right side instead of scoring, but ,I guess, he wanted to have it for himself and the Panthers. It’s all good. I hope everyone enjoyed it.
Thanks to CB for inside coverege and my primary sourse of information. -
Strummer's Army says:
You know it is just great to have such an excellent player and person as part of the Isles. I remember one of the SI writers said in the summer that Streit’s contract was a bad one and he’d disapoint I am waiting for the guys update on last summers FA class to see his correction.
Anyway, to any of you who still doubt what an amazing goalie Rick DiPietro is just look at the goalies last night and how many goals they all gave up.
Rick gave up one last year and it was because the announcer guy was distracting him. He was the only goalie to give up just one goal last year or this year or just about any year. He is fantastic!
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kevin says:
haha good q’s and a’s. great job mark you made us proud. it was a good game.
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Mike from Oceanside says:
Hey CB – Put yourself down for another scoop of ice cream for desert tonight…you deserve it for the “Postcards from MTL”. While you’re at it…Give another scoop to Mark Streit as well. Thank you to both of you!
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Streit could end up leading the Isles in scoring. That would be not only a tremendous feat, but he would be the first Islander defensemen to lead the team in scoring since Denis Potvin in 1976-77
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That’s pretty good company!
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SO glad Queenie Limpriwst got lit up.
6 GA.
Anybody pissed about the no-name goalies during the breakaway competition? Poor Rick.
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
Mark Congrats on an Awesome performance at the All-Star Game … you did us proud… and Thank You for answering my question … I figured some of those “hot dogs” there would be showing off some tricks.
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Islander505 on Jan 26th, 2009 12:02:01 said:
That had to be the shortest question in “19Isle in NJ”’s blogging history.
* Yeah 505 …. can ya believe it? LOL *
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11 Chris TMC on Jan 26th, 2009 11:33:50 said:
Two assists, leading the Eastern Conference All-Stars in TOI through regulation, three takeaways, two blocked shots, and a SOG… now that is what I call a successful game for our All Star!
* … and not to mention a +3 with all those minutes played … very impressive at an All-Star game that went to a shootout * -
Coach B says:
Great job Mark. You belonged in the game and you represented the Islanders and yourself with total class.
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Dadi says:
How’s about Mark,Bouwmeester, Komisarek, Hedman, Gilroy & Martinek as our 6 defencemen next year
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The Losers says:
Thank you Mark! And thank you CB!
A truly class act. And two assists to boot !!