GOING TO SCHOOL WITH AARON NESS
8 lessons on the Islanders’ top prospect
Aaron Ness was selected in the second round by the Islanders with the 40th overall pick in the 2008 NHL Draft. In the last month he has twice been named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week. Not bad for a freshman. Last year he was named Minnesota’s Mr. Hockey by a panel of NHL scouts and NCAA coaches.
Here are eight tales of Ness, who if you don’t know…
…may have leap-frogged Kirill Petrov as the Islanders’ best prospect.
Two months ago Point Blank ranked Ness second behind Russian forward Kirill Petrov on our list of the Islanders’ best prospects. The combination of Petrov’s uninspired play at the World Junior Championships – in fairness, he was returning from injury – and the outstanding work of Ness over the last month has resulted in a shift. While Petrov has enormous upside if he can figure it out, at the NHL All-Star break we are rating Aaron Ness as the Islanders’ No. 1 prospect.
…thought he took an easy college course.
“My major is undecided for now, so I’m getting a bunch of pre-requisites out of the way,” Ness told us by phone from campus.
“Check this out: I took Oceanography. I’m thinking it’s going to be real easy and fun and, as a bonus, there’s a Lab so I also get one of those out of the way. Thought it was a real smart move by me. You know, a big help to the GPA.
“Nope. Couldn’t have been more wrong. I figured we’d just be having fun looking at shells and water and stuff. The class was totally serious. The class was hard. Brutal. We studied Plate Tectonics. Never heard of it? Exactly!
“I learned I have to do my homework before signing up for a class.”
…is committed to attending the Islanders’ volunteer, non-mandatory prospect camp in the summer.
“No way am I going to miss that. That’s an important step, to see how I match up against some of the other Islanders’ prospects. The organization has been real good to me, and I want to show them that I’m doing everything possible to make it to the NHL.”
…is rooming with a top-ten pick in the 2009 NHL Draft who thinks he’s a slob.
“I share a dorm room with (freshman forward) Jordan Schroeder. He’s an awesome player and a great kid. Such a smart offensive player and he can score from anywhere. I know him as well as anyone around here. He’s so down-to-earth. He’ll be great in the NHL.
“Jordan’s a total neat freak. It’s not like I’m a slob or anything, but he’s always telling me to pick up after myself. I mean, I’m really not that bad.
“The dorm’s okay. Kinda small. When I first got here, I thought it was great. I was so excited. Now I guess reality is setting in. When I got back from the holidays, I walked in to our room and was like, ‘Well, here we go again.’ We’re thinking about other options for next year.”
…has a brilliant feel for the game, according to an expert U. of Minn. watcher.
Doug Woog is a former head coach at the University of Minnesota and is now a color commentator on television broadcasts. Reached via email for his analysis of the freshman defenseman, Woog wrote back:
“Aaron has had a real nice first season. Power play, penalty killing. Regular shifts. Plays against the other teams’ top groups.
“Strength = time. Size could be a pro concern, but he is only 18.
“Brilliant feel for the game. Needs to grow and improve shot to be an NHLer. Great poise.”
…knows the lack-of-size thing will stick with him for a while.
“I totally get it. I know I’m not the biggest guy (5-10, 170), but I’m working on it and there are ways to compensate. At Minnesota, we have world-class strength coaches. I’m working with Cal Dietz, who’s phenomenal.
“I’m at the University of Minnesota, playing in the WCHA, where the play is hard and fast. As the season has progressed, Coach (Don Lucia) is giving me more and more icetime and I’m getting to play against the best lines. With the development I’m getting in Minnesota, and with the Islanders staying on top of my progress, I’m going to be fine.
“I’ve been hearing about my size since I started playing hockey. You don’t have to be 6-4 to be a good hockey player.”
…hears from the Islanders on a regular basis.
“Oh yeah, they check in with me…Cairnsy (Eric Cairns), Ryan Jankowski, Trent Klatt, Denny Scanlon. No pressure or anything like that, just support. It’s not like they’re bugging me or anything. I’m following the Islanders and the NHL a lot more than I ever had before. I’m on the web a lot, NHL.com, places like that, getting as much info as I can on the team.”
….retains no bitterness from slipping to the second round and has no idea when he’s turning pro.
“I thought I’d go somewhere in the first, but I was over it the moment the Islanders took me. I really feel like it was meant to be. The team has been so good to me and it looks like I’m a solid fit for their rebuilding and the way they want to play. I feel like I couldn’t be in a better situation than I am with the Islanders.
“Right now, there is no plan to turn pro and I couldn’t give you a timetable because there isn’t one. When the Islanders think I’m ready, and when I’m confident I’m ready for them, it will happen. For now it’s a year at a time.”
…saw Gran Torino the other day (SPOILER ALERT!), likes Lil Wayne, AC/DC, Rafalski and a certain Italian food from a specific place.
“Man, that was a good movie. I really thought Clint was gonna take ‘em down at the end. I give it four stars.”
Music: “Pretty varied. I like everything. Everything except country, which I can’t stand. On the iPod now I have some old-school like AC/DC and Aerosmith and I also have good new stuff like Lil Wayne.”
Hockey Players: “Scott Niedermayer…Brian Rafalski, he knows how to play the game. I really like watching him and Nicklas Lidstrom play.”
Food: “Oh, man…lately they’ve been bringing us this chicken parm for our team meals. It’s from some place around here. I have to get you the name of the restaurant. I’m telling you, I’m in love with this chicken parm.”
Reaction to this story and your questions to address over the long All-Star break, in Comments.
87 Responses to GOING TO SCHOOL WITH AARON NESS
8 lessons on the Islanders’ top prospect
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Kyle says:
wow sounds good, thanks CB with prospect updates. Really looking forward for Aaron to turn pro and help us out. It seems like he really fits the “Go-Go” system
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Ryan Tendrup says:
Great read.
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Islander505 says:
Get that kid outta there NOW….there is no such thing as a decent chicken parm in the land of lutefisk, wild rice, hot dish and head cheese.
Get him into a Long Island Deli NOW…
(that’ll get some weight on him). -
thepolishprince says:
I’ve seen just a little video of this kid when he got drafted. Man, can he skate. Being the pessimistic Isles fan I think his size may keep him from making an impact in the NHL though I wish him the very best of luck.
Any chance he could switch to forward at some point?
Keep eatin’ that chicken parm Aaron, it’ll do ya good! -
Pierogies and kielbasi don’t hurt either!
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The Cleveland Barons are no longer, polish prince….
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Coach B says:
Ness was a top 15 pick if he were just a little bigger. With his skills and skating ability, if ends up around 5’11″ 185 or so he’ll be fine.
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guerin13 says:
i think a lot of teams are going to regret passing on him. he should have gone in the first round. we got lucky for once. ness seems like a perfect fit to excel in overspeed. he also is probably not an islander w/o snow’s wheeling and dealing on day one of the draft.
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ny711ot says:
thanks for the update cbs
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Dooks94 says:
Let’s get him signed asap. I haven’t seen him play but from what I’m hearing he’s already better than Pock and Meyer and probably even Gervais and Hillen as well
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Mikey says:
As always, thanks for the excellent updates CB. Like most defensemen, Ness probably needs some time to develop. If he adds some strength, he could step in as our PP QB when Streit’s contract expires in a few years.
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JKP in Halifax says:
Great stuff, CB. Thanks, as always. I love the background stuff on the prospects. It’s fun to watch them progress.
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JLaMonica16 says:
Gran Torino SUCKEDDD
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kevin says:
its great we ended up with 4 almost first rounders (petrov,trivino,ness and towes)and got bailey for 5 kids that at one point were projected as first rounders. great scouting. sure they all have there own probs ( size and khl ) but why did towes get pulled back so far? anyway, great article. cannot wait till we see some of the young guns in the future
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Dan says:
Sounds like this kid is the real deal. I wonder if he will come the the nhl in the middle of next year like Okposo?
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James says:
Along the lines of something you mentioned in this story, if I’m in marketing for the Isles, it might not be a bad idea to drum up some buzz for rookie camp next summer… If you’re trying to sell fans on a re-build, what better way than to showcase the likes of Tavares/Hedman, Bailey, KO, Comeau, Nielsen, Hillen, Ness, etc. to the local fans? Which, I might add, is something they won’t be able to do from Saskatoon, or from their exhibition games in KC, EDM, and CGY…
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kevin- let’s hope they are young guns! The secret to building a good young team is through the draft. Having your 2nd and 3rd round pick make your team (ie. Pittsburgh, Chicago, Washington)
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CT Isles Fan says:
Great read.
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The Losers says:
Great read indeed.
CB, if you ever get a chance, put a little something together on the development of Jesse Joensuu. From what I hear he’s not ready for the NHL yet but has plenty of potential, I’m wondering if there’s any more info to go along with that. Thanks.
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JonnyBoston says:
Chris, I am astounded at how you continue to deliver interesting and relevant content to us day after day considering the current state of affairs. It will be a sad day if you do not or can not continue this endeavor. Keep up the great work and best of luck to you.
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Jimmy Sparx says:
Good read CB…………
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UNH Steve says:
thanks for the great articles today CB. I have found myself enjoying the off days more than the game days lately. I can only take so much losing but all the off day articles about the future sure are a pleasant change of pace. keep up the great work
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I agree. The Islanders should find a way to move the prospect camp to the Coliseum and really showcase it big time if they are able to land Tavares or Hedman, plus make an effort to bring over Figren, Petrov, Ness, Ridderwall, Toews, DiBenedetto, etc. I am sure everyone would love to get a glimpse of them!
As for Ness, I am very happy the Islanders got him. From speaking with a few friends, he is often compared to Brian Rafalski in the way in which he plays. He is a small, yet agile and quick defenseman, who can shut down opponents top lines while being a key player on the power play. If I had to take a guess, I’d say you see the Islanders sign him come summer of 2010.
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islesfaninNC says:
CB…Off topic….I heard Gerber was put on waivers today…what a good pick=up that would be!
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Joe in Massapequa says:
Joe, I have been saying that for the longest time and posted it on here quite a few times. It makes too much sense for something like that to happen but to have both a pro hockey and pro basketball franchise in Nassau County, not to discount the possibility of Lebron playing here, it would be amazing. That building would rock at a minimum of 80 nights a year plus concerts and other shows.
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Great Read CB, and after reading this what makes me happy is the fact that he said “The team is treating me well” more than once. I got the impression he wasn’t so keen on coming here on draft day….could have just been the fact that he projected himself to be drafted higher….but now that he’s over that and likes the attention he’s getting from the franchise.
That’s the stuff I want to hear. Makes these kids WANT to be here…which is key.
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Mike from Queens says:
CB:
So this kid is playing at Minnesota… isn’t that where Okposo was and isn’t that where the Isles didn’t feel Okposo was progressing enough? Interesting that another top prospect would go to a place with which the Isles have already expressed displeasure. Or, do I remember that story incorrectly?
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mrlbem says:
So Chris, are you saying that Ness is. . .
an Untouchable?
Sorry, couldn’t help myself
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Tony says:
A guy Milan Lucic’s size will splatter this kid in the corners. We need some size on defense.
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Great article CB!! If this years draft is as good as last years the future looks great. The only thing left to do is for Islander fans to have some patience for 4/5 years.
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Andy the Badger says:
@30:
Okposo was moved from wing to center a lot his sophmore year with the Gophers. Good for the Badgers, bad for Okposo… -
yeah but ness would deke right around him lol! besides the wrecker would wreck lucic’s face if he did that. we should pick up gerber. i said in a previous article that we sould get him. take the cap hit so moving vets would be easier. not to mention we may get at least a win in february
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I’ll never stray from my love for the Isles but as a fan you get tired of hearing “have some patience” year after year. I mean they in the cellar from the strike year of 1995 until 2001. Then 2001-02 came and the Islanders got off to that crazy 10-1-1 start (something like that)and it gave me not only hope but it justified all those years of tears and heartache. An that memorable playoff series vs. Toronto…But since that “magical” year they’ve gone downhill once again and its tough as a fan to suffer this way. To hear jokes from other fans and the media about the ownership, the management, the arena, and the team are tough for a fan to take. Anyone feel the same way?
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Let’s just hope a bunch of the draft picks turn out and maybe we can land Tavares and then we have the “real” building block for a turnaround. It can’t and will not happen without Tavares-I firmly believe that. It’s imperative that we get him. Pittsburgh is nothing without Crosby and Malkin, Washington isn’t where they are without Ovechkin and Semin and Chicago with Kane and Toews. It takes two big time young players-Tavares would be a great start!!!
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redzi says:
nice article.
i saw some youtube clips, no clip can give any insight in isolation – but i see phil housley (upside)? what do you think? -
the next big time young player is taylor hall
but lets save it for next year -
Jimmy Mac says:
Makes me want to draft Jordan Schroeder too.
Is there anyway we can possibly trade up with our 3 seconds and probably more depending on trades to pick up another top draft pick.
I like Schroeder and that Magnus kid. I’ll take either one, along with Tavarses or Hedman.
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Smokey says:
When I was 18, I was 2 inches shorter and 30 pounds lighter than I am now (I am currently 22). The physical maturity makes an enormous difference. He will definitely not have a problem pumping up to 200 under a supervised conditioning program.
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Bri on Li says:
The more I read the more I like about this Gilroy kid.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/sports/hockey/23vecsey.html?ref=sportsCB, you said you thought the Isles had a good chance to sign him. Is this just because he’s a local, or is there something more… tangible?
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beatlebailey says:
CB:
The Isles should hire you back to run all of their online doings. This is the best hockey blog on the net and the ONLY positive development for the islanders this year. Hey Mr. Dey show CB some coin!!
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Dally Mac says:
How about something on Dibendetto and where he stands? I watched him on Sportnet one night had three goals and 2 assists. I know he’s an overager but his rise interests me. Or Rhett Rhashani.
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Don't Mind the Haters says:
I’m glad you posted this story. On draft day I thought Ness was disappointed that he had been drafted by the Islanders as he didn’t seem happy. But now I know it was more disappointment that he didn’t get drafted in the first round.
This kids a keeper and I’m glad we dropped down to take “flyers” like Ness and Petrov.
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chickendirt says:
Rakhshani is interesting. He’s one guy I am excited to see at camp next season. Word is he is going to finish out his senior year at Denver and we will see him 10/11 either here or BPort.
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DanNOLA says:
Man, Gran Torino was awsome. Anyway, is there any lingering resentment over in Minnisota about the KO thing? Maybe I’m overblowing it in my head, but I recall some definate nastiness between the program there and Garth Snow. Could that have an impact on when Ness would get signed if he continues to progress (or not progress enough for the Isles liking)?
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mtrico says:
Gotta like the kid’s attitude!
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Macch says:
Wow some great stuff CB. If your planning on doing a different interview everyday i’m all for it. Seems like a great kid. Only time will tell. Petrov was invisible during juniors. I would love to see an interview with him.
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mm30 says:
Tremendous work CB…this is THE BEST SITE ON THE NET! No doubt!
And Ness is a great kid, I saw him play on Hockey Day in Minnesota outdoors in I believe it was 30 below weather for Roseau…just sick.
Trememdous skill and great mobility, he’s a true freshman playing top 4 minutes for at top 5 program.
I’m excited to see his development
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NickIsles From Brooklyn says:
CB – First – You are awesome – best Isles Blog around – especially for BK when Newsday does not deliver here!!!
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=3853030
I hate to bring this up again but Did you see what Bettman said – ESPN is credible and this story scares the ever loving …. out of me!!!
Two years in a row Crosby has a “hurt leg” for the all star game – seeing a trend brewing?
Go Isles!
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Daniel says:
Great article. This kid seems first class. I have been keeping an eye on his stats over the season and as of late he has really progressed. He reminds me of Streit with the way he can take the puck from end to end of the ice. Great pick and a great prospect for the future.
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Chicken Parm? First of all, I agree with 505.
Second of all, is he trying to co-opt Ray Ferraro’s nickname?
NickBrooklyn – I think it’s good to be scared about that. I’ve been trying to say what Bettman said in that article for a long time and people refused to listen. Our team is on the line here and we need to step up for it in every way we can.
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JPinVA says:
Great stuff for an all-star break. The chicken parm thing is a little disturbing… let’s just hope the “mystery restaurant” isn’t the home of the whopper.
From the youtube clips he sure does look like a little ball of potential.
He might be able to put the Islanders back on the highlight reel. He’d be the first player to celebrate an NHL goal by doing chin-ups on the crossbar. -
KP says:
He thinks he’s eaten chicken parm up there??? Wait til he gets to Vincent’s when he gets to Long Island!
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Isle be Damned says:
This is good to hear. He seemed kind of bummed out at the draft that he didn’t go in the 1st round and he also didn’t seem so enthused he was an islander. i recall hearing him say something along the lines of you can’t control where you go. though that may have been referring more to being drafted in the 2nd round.
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post 54
Vincents? Is that in Oceanside? I think I ate there once.
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Vincent’s is in Carle Place. If you’ve never been, you must go.
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isles72 says:
good to hear a report on Ness (our lil Rafalski in the bank )
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Jim says:
Yeah, an offensiv whiz with one whole goal at the college level. Hey, at least he’s on pace for a 2 goal season, a la Josh Bailey. But it’s great….. another can’t miss All Star according to Botta. Niiiiiiice.
Just curious…. what’s with the “great for a freshman” comment. Most college players that make it to the NHL have excellent freshman years. Just look it up. Maybe you can explain Trivino??? Then again, you won’t.
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Mike from Oceanside says:
This kid like the chicken parm in Minnesota….If he thinks that’s good eats, then he’ll explode when he gets to Vincent’s!
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Hey Jim: You say that making it to the NHL normally follows players who had “excellent freshman years.” Like who? What is “excellent” according to your definition? Additionally, “most” is a pretty strong word- one that would need a good amount of research to hold up. CB put up sources for what he is saying- quotes from scouts, etc. but I dont know if you have actually done research on this. I think you just believe what you are saying is true without actually researching it. But if Im wrong and there are sources that back up what you are saying, Id be interested in seeing them.
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#52
Yea man – what stinks about me is that I grew up in Queens and Live in Brooklyn now but Im Isles through and through but I cant do anything. Kate Murray will not care if I write her a letter!To all – Vincents in Carl Place might actually be better than the one in Little Italy – I said Might!
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Regarding the Chicken Parm, I think the kid wont know to do with himself with all the choices here on the island. But I think my favorite is at Piccola Bussola in Westbury.
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Jax says:
Jim you’re an idot, which also means you’re most likely a ranger fan as well.
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admin says:
That was the game of Jim aka Brian aka Ray aka Bill. I write a story about Ridderwall and quote a scout saying he could be an NHL backup, Jim/Brian/Ray/Bill says I’m promoting him as a Hall of Famer. I do a fun story on Ness where it doesn’t say anything about him being close to the NHL, Jim/Brian/Ray/Bill says I have him in the All Star Game. I hope he enjoyed the attention he got…CB
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CB can we expect more interviews with 2008 Isles draft picks or prospects that arent signed to the NHL/AHL in the future days during the All-Star break?
As far as Jim/Brian/Ray/Bill, you know there will always be haters. It is funny to see how much time people have on their hands that they will bash you under different names. Busted lol
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Sybo says:
HAHA…Like Ness I took Oceanography in college thinking it would be a fun, if not easy “filler” course…and boy was I wrong !!! I hope he makes out better than I did, as I’m pretty sure I barely passed it.
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“Jim/Brian/Ray/Bill, NO SOUP FOR YOU!!!”
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JayK says:
This has nothing to do with Aaron Ness, but…
There’s a very discouraging story in Newsday today on The Lighthouse. If you go on to newsday.com, it’s tough to find. I had to search under Lighthouse to find it, and almost three hours after I put in my comment, it’s still the only comment.
Let’s get over there and show our support in the comments section, and let’s keep it intelligent. Not just Kate Murray is a #$&@! Talk about the jobs, the economic impact, and the fact that our suburban way of life — which is a chilling phrase — is not going to be threatened by developing a few hundred acres in a county that size.
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Jay- where did you read that. I read a good article in Newsday. I read a good article this morning that said how much Cablevision needed the Islanders to stay. That has to work in our favor
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That’s in the sports section. There’s a Hempstead “rebuttal” in the main news section.
Here’s the link to it. Uh-duh..should have put it in the first time.
http://www.newsday.com/news/printedition/longisland/ny-liligh236009130jan23,0,95569.story
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I’ll have something on the Lighthouse issue in a bit…CB
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Posts 69 and 70–The article is on page A23 of the print edition. What is the “suburban way of life” a euphamism for? Is it even relevant to this project? For the upteenth time, this is not being built in someone’s cul-de-sac in Garden City. And again, the TOH can rely on the state laws which spell out the waiting time for the EIS studies all they want. But can’t someone with the Town say something like “we also think this would be good for the Town. But evveryone must be patient.”
Throw us a bone for Gods sake!! -
Sadly, people hide behind the “suburban way of life” to kill any way forward. It’s the reason the LIRR has so many abandoned rights of way that could have helped commuters immensely. It’s the reason the LIE is clogged with trucks instead of using our ample rail system to transport freight. It’s even the reason the Coliseum is in such bad shape now – the original plans were for a 20,000 seat mega-arena, but people were upset about that and it was scaled back to the antiquated compromise we’re now trying to replace.
Lately it seems the suburban way of life has devolved into choking taxes, illegal apartments/house-sharing, and younger people who take this superb education and bolt for a place that isn’t so expensive. We do need the Lighthouse, and hopefully we can accurately communicate this.
Also, NickBrooklyn – while you’re not a voter, your opinion (and others’) carries weight because you come to the TOH and spend money because of the Islanders.
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Clarification – I’m not saying that the TOH, or Mr. Ra in particular, said “suburban way of life” as code for killing the project. I hope they understand that the country and our Island have been changing, and we need this project in some form to exist.
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NickClassic…ah, you’re very wrong, which might be a first, since you are the ultimate voice of reason and intelligence on this board!
“Suburban way of life” IS a code for killing the project.
And your description of young people fleeing is dead on. If I’m the head of business development in Charlotte, or Phoenix, or Seattle, or Minneapolis, or wherever, I’m sitting back saying, “I don’t worry too much about our educational system. I know that Long Island will keep churning out well educated people who will move down here because they’re being driven out of their home communities.”
It’s a great gig they’ve got, and we’re the saps.
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havent read the article yet but if the arguement against this project is “suburban way of life” that is ridiculous. There is nothing on that site right now but parking lots? It is SPRAWL. That was the suburban way of life in the 1950′s not the 21st century. I live in western nassau 3 miles from the queens line. Why? I came from queens which was too congested for me but wanted to keep somewhat a city lifestyle, you know the ability to WALK places like stores and coffee shops etc. My commute to the city is a relatively painless 40 minutes on the LIRR. This type of development is exactly what Nassau needs.
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Obviously Ness didn’t read the course catalog before signing up for Oceanography LOL Still it’s really interesting to study. If he attacks like he attacks oncoming forwards, I am sure he’ll get a lot out of the course. With the climate change affecting the oceans considerably, oceanography is something very relevant today.
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Paul* says:
CB! What are your feelings on the Article Neil Best Wrote in Newsday about the Realation ship the Islander have with MSG and the importance of it! Another newsday Writer suggesting the Islanders are not going ANYWHERE.
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Jay – While you’re right, I’m just trying not to be hysterical here. I largely agree with what you’re saying, and I know exactly what that’s code for, but there is nothing that’s happened that would convince me we have no chance of succeeding here.
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Nick, I see your point, but these statements by the TOH make me want to pull my hair out. How does development in that specific area affect the “suburban way of life?” And why won’t the Town at least pay lip service to all the benefits of the project?
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Ill draft a letter and email it to her then – saying I do come out there and before the games on the weekend that I make it i go to hooters – so i am spending money and if htey leave thats outside money – ive also asked my brother who lives in Nassau to write one as well- ill do what i can! KEEP EM HERE!! Anyone down to start maybe a SAVE THE ISLES site? Maybe get something going in terms of physical protests!
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and when i say physical i meant peaceful
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BR says:
Nick – This is completely out of left field, but is there anything in NY State (or U.S.) law (constitutional or otherwise) that would allow Nassau County to “annex” the NVMC property? That is, remove it from the jurisdictional authority of the Town of Hempstead?
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(84) is intended for Nick Classic.
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Terry says:
Simply put this site has made islanders.com irrelevant.Keep up your outstanding info on everyones favorite team.
Seems like a great kid, looking forward to hearing about his development