NYI DRAFT 411: VELCRO MADNESS (aka Killing time before Johnaroo with a story about draft jerseys)
(thanks, Rob A.)
Islanders Point Blank on Twitter
Our series of little stories on the mechanics of draft day continues…
At the Islanders draft table in 1997, I had an old hockey bag stuffed with two jerseys and about two dozen Velcro nameplates. The Islanders had the fourth and fifth overall picks that year and smart money was on Joe Thornton going to Boston at 1, followed by Patrick Marleau to San Jose with the second pick.
Like all the teams, the Islanders make up a jersey for each first round pick with a velcro strip over the number on the back. I would get from the NYI chief scout the names of all the players it was even remotely possible the Islanders could pick. They would never admit it to me, but it was always understood they provided more names than we needed because they didn’t ever want the jersey manufacturer to leak out our potential draftees.
So in ’97, I had more than enough nameplates for the two high first round picks. I recall HOSSA was in the mix, as were MARA, SAMSONOV, BOYNTON, FERENCE and many others.
After Thornton went first, Marleau second and Olli Jokinen went to LA with the No. 3 pick, it was showtime for me and my colleague in PR. We were first told to secretively affix the LUONGO velcro strip to the back of the jersey for the No. 4 pick, making Roberto the highest drafted goalie at the time. (Now this is why I went to Nassau CC and La Salle!).
There was a brief delay before then chief scout Gord Clark (now with the Rangers) gave us instructions for the jersey for the No. 5 overall pick. There apparently were some dicussions with Calgary (pick 6) and Tampa Bay (pick 7). With time running out on the clock, Gordie gave me the green light for BREWER and the Islanders locked in two very fine young hockey players.
A mini-legend was started later that night, where they all are created on draft weekend – at the hotel bar. Somebody told someone who told someone else that Calgary decided not to give up a third round draft pick to the Islanders to move from No. 6 to No. 5 because they saw me and my colleague with the LUONGO and BREWER nameplates out. What a total crock of BS. Why am I so sure? Because, although I was 32 years old at the time, I went completely under the draft table to open the bag and affix the nameplates. The jerseys never came out from under the table until Gordie and the Islanders scouts made their way to the podium.
There was also the omen in 2005 that it wasn’t in the cards for the Islanders’ first round pick. The day before the draft, the velcro nameplates arrived in my hotel room. Sifting through them, I noticed one was wrong: O’MARA. I called the Islanders’ chief scout at the time and said, “I don’t have to worry about this one, right? There’s no way a Team Canada gold medal-winning center is still gonna be there at pick 15.”
I was asked to see if I could get a replacement, just in case. Thanks to our equipment staff, they whipped one up and the nameplate arrived the morning of the draft. Ryan O’Marra was drafted 15th overall by the Islanders, messed up his ankle in his second training camp, was included in the Ryan Smyth trade and scored 1 goal in 62 games this season with Springfield of the AHL.
Why am I telling you all this? No reason, really. Just a little anecdote – filler, as some of you like to call it – before a few hundred more arguments in Comments about Tavares vs. Hedman vs. Duchene.
As you may know, the Islanders are rightfully going first-class with their jersey for the first overall pick. Produced by the manufacturer in Queens, authentic vintage royal blue Third Jerseys have been stitched up for John, Victor and Matt. No velcro here. They’ll probably do nameplates for picks 26, 31 and 37 and maybe even the third-rounders.
Handing over a jersey with a name on it to a kid drafted 56th overall is cool. It sends a message to the player and the rest of the arena that you really wanted him.
DRAFT NOTES
Today’s the day the top prospects are the featured guests at a luncheon with the media. A lot of press will come out of it. Nothing of substance will be said, which is why I’m staying back and working the Draft Party – aka Tavarestock or Johnaroo. Tavares, Hedman and Duchene will say they would love to be the No. 1 pick, welcome playing for the Islanders, enjoyed their visits and have no clue where they’ll be drafted. Of course, they have said this all before, but it will be treated as if they haven’t.
I got a few notes yesterday from media friends about Garth Snow’s four-questions-and-out huddle yesterday. The gist of all of them: it’s very cool the Islanders are keeping this a secret, Snowy, but lighten up and show a sense of humor about it. Maybe he will today if they catch the GM before he gets in the hotel elevator.
Thanks to Bob l for the Johnaroo. Comments on this story only. Comment Guidelines.
30 Responses to NYI DRAFT 411: VELCRO MADNESS (aka Killing time before Johnaroo with a story about draft jerseys)
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thepolishprince says:
Can we just have them stitch up three with Tavares, Tavares and Tavares?
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NYI Pole says:
nice segment, keeps me entertained before the draft. i listened to the espn 1050 interview and all i can say is that im really glad your doing all. great job!
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Izzy Franchise says:
I have my blank authentic vintage royal blue Third Jersey all ready to bring on Friday night. I hope I’ll be leaving the Draft Party with the right guy on it!
Please Garth, take John Tavares.
Think he’ll take 91 or 61? He seems like a respectful kid,may not wanna take Butchie’s #, hope he takes 61.
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Mike L says:
The Isles should ask Tavares what number do you want and instead of putting 09 on the back of the jersey, put 91 or whatever it is he prefers. This way within 5 minutes of the pick, there will be a huge line wrapped around the coliseum for the jersey customization stand.
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C.J. says:
CB, I was watching NHL Network and they did some backstage work on the 2000 draft. There was a shot of MM and a guy (back turned) talking. They had a mike on MM and you could hear the entire exchange between the two.
The opposing GM (assumption) was clearly prying and trying to get a sense of what MM was going to do w/the #1 pick. MM cuts him off mid-sentence and interjects into this guys “verbal dance” to spare him the energy on trying to dig into MM’s mind.
MM states (matter-a-factly, and proudly) “We traded Luongo”. The opposing GM keeps talking… clearly missing what MM said for a second or two. Then he stops and says (in total shock and disbelief) “You did what? You traded Luongo.” (I wish the camera was on the guy’s face… would have loved to have seen his expression).
MM responds (again, proudly) “Yeah, we traded Luongo”. The opposing GM stands there… still in shock… and says nothing.
MM’s face drops (apparently, not so pround anymore).
CB… do you have any stories on this level that you can share? Things you observed on the draft floor? Almost trades w/the Isles that never came to fruition?
I live for this stuff.
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admin says:
I will do that, CJ. That was Don Waddell. Milbury also said, “We’re trading Weekes, too.”
But I think we can all agree I’ve said enough about the Roberto deal already today and before. The day before the Islanders draft Tavares, I don’t want to turn to Commentary to Luongo and 9 years ago. I’m sure you understand. Thanks, everyone…CB
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Thomas32 says:
Hope they have ALOT of “TAVARES” and 91 or 61 numbers to make all those jerseys!!
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corey says: cool story thanks for sharing with us. made me feel better after I woke up and thought today was friday.
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bob l says:
hmm…i think i would have gone with John-aroo over Tavarestock, a little more up to date
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Keith says:
Chris,
I just read an interview with the guy from the red line report(on puck daddy), and he said a few things about Tavares, like having to big an entourage and atittude. Whould like your take on the interview. -
Ooh, that’s a good one, Bob l. So good, I threw it in the headline. Thanks. I was thinking of the Woodstock 40th anniversary.
Funny thing about Kyle from Redline. He took a shot in his mock draft about the pick of Tavares being about marketing. No one has been more about marketing his own product lately than Kyle.
Okay, back to work for me. Frantically trying to line up a good interview. Don’t know if it’ll happen, but trying…CB
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StevieL says:
CB! I know today is a big day for the top picks, it would be interesting to hear what you expect happens after the pick from the Isles PR point of view. I would imagine a lot of hoopla. How soon would we see the pick on LI! Does the PR Dept. get marching orders to develop a press tour/TV! I would imagine we will see a lot of this pick over the summer! I can’t wait!
It is Christmas Eve for Islander fans !! -
I am honored sir
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CB you cost the Isles an extra 3rd round pick!?! That pick could have blossomed into a potential superstar we would have later traded away for an enigmatic Russian prospect. Now we know who to really blame for the current state of the team.
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IslesHockey21 says:
CB,
Didn’t the Isles have a jersey for Matt Martin (a 5th rounder) last year?
I distinctly remember Stamkos coming to the Isles table to pick it up and bring it home for his buddy.
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Rex says:
Very cool stuff. Stuff like that is always fun to hear. By the way Over at NHL.com they have a whole draft site. The Tavares stuff is fun, everything i read about him right down to his favorite iPod song being Genesis, thats right 18 oddly it’s not Kanye, Lady Gaga or God knows what else, it’s Genesis, “That’s All” and he sees himself as a Mike Bossy type. There’s just something old school about this 18 yr old that I find refreshing. Most difference makers just like what they like and don’t follow the trends. I like the drafting of this kid to the smallest detail I suppose is my point.
Let’s hope we don’t mess it up, and man o man is Toronto hot to get him too, another great reason to get him, stick it to the Leafs.
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I love these little “filler” stories. They are what keep me checking the site every hour or two (even though I get updates from twitter for 99% of the posts)
Also CB, do you know if the Islanders will give Tavares (or whoever) a #1 jersey or a #61/91/?, as other first rounders (Crosby for sure, not sure about anyone else) have gotten?
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MikeyMitts says:
For those who say Tavares is to much of a one way player “Twelve teams (including the Rangers and Toronto twice each) passed on Bossy because he was regarded as just another sniper from the run-and-gun Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Isles coach Al Arbour told GM Bill Torrey he could teach Bossy to play defense; he was right, and the rest is history” I’m not saying Tavares is Mike Bossy by anymeans but eve Denis Potvin says ya gotta go with this guy.
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Tim says:
CB, is there any truth to the rumor that when you crawled out from under the draft table with DiPietro’s jersey, DP tripped over you and injured both of his hips and a knee?
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blitz says:
Maybe the messed up velcro for O’Marra was a sign…Sure looks like it from afar.
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eye on the island says:
does anyone know details about that sweet nike hat the pick will be getting. cb posted a picture of a while back when announcing the pick will be wearing the throw back jersey.
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eye on the island (#23)
It’s a Rebook hat, and it’s available at the NHL store in Manhattan (and I think the team stores). I tried to get it at the NHL Store though and they only had youth sizes left.
If you google “2009 New York Islanders NHL Draft Hat” you’ll find it at places online. I ordered mine last week from some place in Minnesota (places with adult sizes left are scarce) and it came in Tuesday.
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James says:
I wen to the draft in ’94 in Hartford. Spoke with a lot of the isles guys as i was wearing my islander jersey and i think i got autographs of almost every player in the first round. As the isles were walking to the podium for their first pick i happened to catch a glance at the nameplate and saw “dros”. I was beyond excited to get Brett. Unfortunately injuries plagued his career.
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geduffer says:
I’m glad MM is now a broadcaster where he cannot do any further damage. That said, I always liked Mike and he was always very nice to us. A little patience would have helped immensely.
As for the draft, I’ve already said that I believe in Garth and I’ll support his pick. It’s just that after all of this buildup, I’m leaving town and heading for San Juan Saturday and sailing on a Southern Caribbean cruise where I’ll spend a week letting my eyes uncross and drinking rum in all of it’s forms. Just call me “Mojito Duffer”.
I’ll return 5 days into free agency and recross my eyes catching up with it all.
Chris, I love these stories, but I’m sure that you could use a vacation at this point.
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Isles fan in CA says:
Love the “filler” posts. I enjoy reading what goes on behind the scenes and how a franchise runs on a day to day basis.Jim Pickard was a neighbor of mine growing up in Islip. He was such a great guy and gave a bunch of signed sticks to kids all over the neighborhood. Even got me into the lockeroom to meet Gretzky and see my fav Kelly Hrudey again once he became a King. Boy, I am sure he had some great stories to tell. Maybe a Q+A with him sometime as “filler” in the future?
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Isleshockey21. Thanks. I’ll be sure be picking one up soon
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Tom B says:
All of a sudden I’m getting scared over this draft. I honestly now believe Garth is not going with JT and will take MD.
I tell ya if they pass on JT I don’t know how I’m going to react. I just think this could become biggest Snow’s “Milbury moment”.
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yet another reason to take tavares… ccm/reebok just signed him today to hawk their hockey gear… so now thats 2 endorsement deals this week… all this COULD be done in an islanders sweater… or we can just slink back to the corner of the room again and hope people continue not to notice us
Those tid-bits are cool CB. Thx.