DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT HISTORY
Islanders tradition is bigger than the Cup years
For the Islanders’ home opener of the 2007-08 season, Pierre Turgeon was suggested as a popular choice to drop the ceremonial faceoff. The season would be the 15th anniversary of the 1992-93 Islanders’ uplifting upset of the two-time defending Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. It would be 15 years since Pierre’s remarkable 58-goal, 132-point season. He had also just retired in the summer of 2007.
Turgeon was passed over in favor of legendary left wing Christie Brinkley, who walked to center ice to applause from about 50 of the 16,000-plus fans in attendance. Ms. Brinkley’s appearance did get the team some coverage for a day on “Access: Hollywood” which, of course, led to tremendous awareness of the Islanders brand and big leaps in tickets and merchandise sales. (I’m just kidding about the ex-supermodel’s impact, but that’s what marketing experts get paid to convince you to believe).
Bringing Sneaky Pete back for an elegant encore would have been the right thing to do because…simply put, it would have been the right thing to do. Just as real old-time Yankees fans may not understand my generation’s infatuation with Don Mattingly, some folks around Islanders Country fail to grasp what Turgeon, Thomas, Flatley, Kasparaitis and the 1992-93 Islanders represent to a large section of the fanbase.
The ’92-93 Islanders are not just the last version to win two playoff series in the same year, they are last to win one. But even if the franchise had been more successful since, that team would still linger in the hearts of anyone who cares about this team.
Kasparaitis driving Mario Lemieux completely bonkers. Rich Pilon scaring opponents out of the Islanders’ end. Tommy Fitzgerald scoring two shorthanded goals within the same Penguins’ power play. Ray Ferraro scoring seemingly every shift in the first round against Washington. Turgeon – not a fast skater, not a hard shooter, not a big hitter – just an exceptional hockey player.
Glenn Healy winning games 7-5 and 6-5 because he came up big in the third period. (Claire Arbour always tells me the Islanders were never the same after Don Maloney “let that Glenn Healy go”). The Kid Line. For one season, Al Arbour getting the most out of Vladimir Malakhov, Jeff Norton, Uwe Krupp and Tom Kurvers. Mick Vukota not always winning his fights, but keeping the peace and lifting the other heavyweights and slamming them to the ice for the takedown. Foot soldiers Marty McInnis (he could skate), Claude Loiselle (guts and smarts) and ”Flats” (60 points and no one better along the boards)
And then the exasperating David Volek – a scoring wing who scored all of 8 goals in the regular season – scoring the last playoff-winning goal in franchise history.
I certainly don’t mean to focus on Christie Brinkley, a Long Islander of dignity, a humanitarian and great mom who became an Islanders fan because her son asked her if they could go to a game. But the home opener is supposed to be a celebration for the fans, a time when Al Arbour and Denis Potvin walk to center ice to a thunderous, roof-raising response.
I also hate making too big a deal of the Alumni thing. Understand this: sports franchises that win consistently rarely hear complaints about whether they honor their tradition enough. And when you haven’t won a playoff round in 16 years, cynics call it “living in the past.” Funny, I never hear that said about the Yankees or the Canadiens.
Marketing executives appear so much smarter when their teams win. Best proof: when the Devils won their three Stanley Cups, they didn’t do a lot of marketing in New Jersey.
Fans would give up every bobblehead night and trip down dynasty lane to see Tavares and Okposo win a few playoff rounds soon. Bobby Nystrom himself would trade his 23 banner in exchange for watching this generation of Islanders become a consistent contender.
Or how’s this for a novelty: honoring the past and winning in the present. Too much to ask? Not really. The greatest emotion from the Coliseum stands for a number retirement ceremony was for Bryan Trottier’s day on Oct. 20, 2001. The fans love Trots, but they felt especially proud that the current team was 6-0-0-1.
During the Core of the Four weekend in March of 2008, the Islanders announced grand plans to annually acknowledge their storied past. (Read the “TRADITION REIGNS” press release, still posted on the official team website). You may have missed it during last season’s last-place Campaign For Tavares, but despite the March 08 press release, the Islanders didn’t host a major alumni event last season. There was one weekend when a few ex-Isles like Brad Dalgarno and Gerry Hart were interviewed on the scoreboard. To say the least, it wasn’t anything special.
A cross-section of fans – including regular readers of this blog – will reject all this as “nostalgia” and say they are done with nights to remember. But really now: is 10 minutes before one game a year too much when you’re talking about a franchise with this rich a history and deep connection to its community?
I’ll refrain for now from writing a column called “Whatever Happened to the NYI Hall of Fame After the Islanders Inducted Bob Bourne“? Although Bourne was the first inductee in 2006 and there hasn’t been another one since, let’s wait until this season’s promotional schedule comes out. Maybe one is finally in the planning stages.
Embracing tradition and building a winner do not have to be mutually exclusive. Taking a brief moment to salute players like Turgeon – and Westfall and Jonsson and Goring and Tonelli and Palffy and LaFontaine – would simply be the right thing to do. And let’s remember, the Islanders have a history before 1980 and after 1983.
Comments.
132 Responses to DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT HISTORY
Islanders tradition is bigger than the Cup years
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Adam says:
I fell completely in love with this team when, as a little child, I jumped up and down on my basement couch when david volek scored against pittsburgh. That team will not be forgotten.
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Hextall72 says:
Great piece.. The 92-93 islanders to me symbolized hard work and never say die… I think it would be a nice idea to honor the team 1 night with a nice program filled with new interviews looking back..
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Strummer's Army says:
Ya, that 132 point season was just amazing! I’d like to see Pierre and many of the others back to honor the past and it’s always good to see Christie Brinkley!:) Still hate Dale Hunter.
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AZS says:
Because of my age – I was too young to really recall the Cup years – Turgeon was my 1st jersey. Still have it. Was a gift from my grandmother and I remember being psyched when I got it. I still would love to meet Dale Hunter. Who knows what that team could have done. It really is a shame that those guys haven’t been honored more often because as you said, for many of us they’re the only winning we can remember
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BH says:
Agreed. While proud of the dynasty, I was born the year we lost to the oilers. I’ve only had the pleasure of being a fan during a period when modest accomplishments were the most we could hope for. If we want to portray our humble team as one that truly appreciates our players, we need to honor the soldiers that carried us through the dark times. Get Lapointe to drop the puck or induct Webby.
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Mike F says:
See I’m a younger Islander fan, and that 93 year was one of my earliest memories, and the only real winning memory of the Islanders. Unfortunately the only one that really sticks out is Dale Hunter ending our chances at a cup by drilling Turgeon after scoring that goal….devastating
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I agree whole-heartedly with Claire. The on-ice product met a sharp decline beginning with letting Healy go, and only righted itself by selling a great future for a pair of first round exits.
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izzo says:
Lapointe? Webb? I like those two as much as the next guy, but we can’t be inducting a 4th liner and a part-time player into our Hall of Fame.
A ceremonial puck drop, on the other hand, would be sufficient. Wouldn’t mind seeing some of these guys again.
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I miss the post season and the actual real chance of advancing in the post season. I miss going to games in shorts and a t shirt after a cold winter. I miss knowing that there are people who root for a different NY team and they are scared to death of our Islanders winning the cup. I miss being annoyed that our Islanders only won by a goal against a middle of the pack team. I miss Steve Thomas type players. I miss John Tonelli.I miss the origonal LETS GO IS LAN DERS chant,do you remember that? I crave the next Dave Langevin. I miss Pierre Turgeon sneaky passes. I miss a packed NVMC(Although I do enjoy the legroom in an empty Coliseum every now n then,lol)
I hope that this generation of Isles brings us back to the success of years ago.
I strongly believe that we are on our way.
LETS GO IS LAN DERS -
onesinceforty says:
Well, this article is about the same as the information I found today about the Islanders at Newsday.
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SFla Isles Fan says:
Excellent memory, Jay (9) — particularly re: the original chant. Growing up in Plainview through the beginning of the Dynasty Years, the chant was a so-called “even” chant (no ups and downs, or highs and lows in the “pitch”) … Then I move to South Florida, and catch a game on ESPN, either in the late 80s or early 90s, and suddenly the chant sounds “Rangeresque,” in that it goes high and low. How’d that happen?? Tom, is the South Florida sun getting to me this early Thursday morning? Are Jay and I losing our “chanting” minds? Or are others out there that also recall the chant changing? (And, if so, when and how?) Enquiring minds want to know …
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dj says:
spot on CB! loved that team
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Schultz39 says:
Bring back either Turgeon or Kenny Jonsson to drop the first puck on opening night.
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the bomber says:
no shot theyd do it now, they dont want botta saying they copied them… i predict a meadow soprano puck drop now
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I was born in 1982, and the 1993 team was the first time I really watched the Islanders. And I have been hooked ever since!
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Ajax says:
How about Kirk Muller comes out to drop the puck, and then Eric Cairns comes out and drops him.
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Healy says:
While technically I was alive during the second half of the dynasty, I (for some reason) can’t remember any of it. I was dejected when LaFontaine left but the void was quickly filled with Pierre Turgeon (my first jersey had my name, but #77). And as you can tell from my blog name, I was a huge fan of Glenn Healy. While I’ve done a good amount of catching up on history, it was that team that really brought me into the obsession I have now. The closest I’ve felt since was the 2001-2002 mini-revival we had.
I think a retrospective with the players on that team would be a great series of pieces for you to write. I would love to hear what they felt then and feel now.
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Dr. Generosity says:
That ’92-93 team was so great. We should definitely bring them back. And the Isles HOF—we gotta induct 18!
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JPinVA says:
Translation: Sign Tanguay!
The early 90′s were a less focused time for me. The stars were gone and they were being replaced by “situations”, but that playoff year will always be special.
I met Pierre at an Atlantic City casino in 97 when he was with St. Louis. What a class act. I’d have rather met Christy Brinkley, but Pierre should be dropping pucks for this franchise.
What I’d like to see happen is a member of the Islanders (any era) be inducted into the NYI HOF EVERY YEAR. What the organization could do is have a 4 choice (and write in) ballot on their website, and at games.
They could allow voting through 12/15, and have the ceremony one Thursday in January every year.
Is there any way to find the current members online? -
Staten Islander says:
I’d love to see Mick Vakota drop the puck one night. Last year was so dismal, they could have given us some sunshine by adding another retired number, like Goring’s (I know, it’s JT’s now) or Tonelli’s. Maybe they could have Ziggy Palfy come back for a puck drop, or maybe Mike (@#%^%#$) Milbury and hand out an egg to everyone who shows up for the game, if that doesn’t fill the place, I don’t know what will.
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Blizzard says: Don Malney….pfft. We went from him to Dilbury. And the rest was history. A history I would like to forget. I was a kid during the glory years. But I remeber Nystroms goal sitting on the floor at my grandmothers house in Massapequa. That 93 team was great and that dirtbag Hunter really ruined a legitamate shot at that fith cup. Eventually Turgeon was traded for Kirk Muller, that cry baby. That was Milburesque. I have very fond memories of that ream and I agree with CB. they should be recognized as representative of the great tradition of the NY Islanders.
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Bryan says:
I want Dan Plante night!!! Maybe Jason Dawes weekend!
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Frank James says:
That 1992-93 team gets the short shrift IMO.
I am 38 and remember all the playoffs from 1979 and on.
That 1993 playoff run was insane.
I was watching their Classic Series on NHL Network against the Pens.
I said to myself “They are like the ’69 Mets to me:. I am a Yankee fan but you always heard about the Amazin’ Mets. That Isles team to me is one I’ll always have great memories of. I went to a bunch of the games and the others I watched at home with college buds.
Even guys who took abuse from fans like Derek King are remembered fondly for that run.
That was a great team. In that they weren’t the best individually but they worked together beautifully.
Seeing Lemieux on the ice seems unfair.
With Mario and Gretzky it was as if their teams were always on the power play.
That Pens team was STACKED.
The Isles should honor those players.
Thomas, Hogue, Turgeon, Kaspar, Healy, Flats, etc.It’s been a loooong time since 1983.
That year and the Leafs series might be all we have to look back at- but holy c— are they some great memories.
Hopefully Garth’s dream of building a team comes to fruition.
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Don says:
This is the exact thing I was thinking when you posted your Kevin Connolly article yesterday, Chris. The team falls all over themselves to latch on to any “celebrity” Isles fan (outside of 20-something males with popped collars, does anyone know or care about Connolly? Outside of 30- and 40-something men, obsessive Billy Joel fans and gossipmongers, does anyone care about Christie Brinkley anymore?), but it seems like if you’re an alum who didn’t win a Cup or doesn’t work for the team, you’re persona non grata. It’s disgraceful, and I hope maybe something like this will shake the team out of its complacency for alumni night and bring Stumpy or Sneaky Pete back so we can thank them for what they did for this team in the early 90′s.
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Ron says:
I bought into a “Playoff Push” package which was offered on Billy Smith’s day, which meant tickets for the final 20 games of the 92/93 season and the same seats for the following season. That run was thrilling at every moment. So many overtime games, with different players coming up big every game. Beating Pittsburgh (without Turgeon!) was especially sweet and I’ll always remember Uwe Krupp swinging the stuffed penguin on the noose. If not for the cheap shot on Turgeon by Dale Hunter, we might well have made it past Montreal, but they were writing an amazing playoff story themselves that season. Great memories from Section 113X!
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Brad says:
Bringing back memories of that goal Volek scored to win against Pittsburg and the back pages of the paper with the shot of him taking that slap shot and the headline “David says Goliath”
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Also, for all the grief Milbury gets – much of it deserved – it was Maloney who did a great deal of damage to this team. The 92-93 team had something special going, and beginning with the decisions to expose Healy and Fitzgerald in the expansion draft, key pieces were removed. And, even in an ideal world where Kirk Muller isn’t a tool, the trade that sent Turgeon and Malakhov to Montreal for Muller and Schneider would have been a huge mistake.
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VanVoorhees says:
While Pilon was my favorite player on the team in the early 90′s, I liked Benoit Hogue’s tenacity for a little guy. Like a Tonelli.
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dose says:
especially during the offseason, i think the tradition input and comments are awesome. and the point that it’s about way more than only the dynasty teams is so right on. noone was more valuable in seeing the team from infancy to legitimacy than Westfall and Hart. the way #2 played the game could not have been more appropriate for his name. and #18 truly was “Mr. Islander.” Pure leader, total class, and scored one of the most important and dramatic goals in team (and playoff) history. those 2 guys are so important to the fabric of the franchise, i wish they were more prominent now in the overall scheme of things. and to those who take no interest in this “nostalgia” stuff, i would point out that it is connection of eras (and all that goes with them) that is the very foundation of great teams (ie. Yankees, Canadians as CB notes).
ya know cincy? -
KO21 says:
I’m with ya, Chris. I especially share your infatuation with my favorite ball player of all time, Donnie Baseball. I wore the #23 and played 1st base as a lefty thrower. In other words I was a kid when the Yankees were losing but my favorite memories were of Donnies 10 homers is 8 games and when he finally made the playoffs and he shined with a 400 plus avg.
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Mikey Mitts says:
Your best work to date. Another point about common knowledge Mr. Day did pick up on 6 sigma. You pretty much said it all.
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james says:
in 83, I was 5 so I was 15 when the Islanders had that playoff run in 93. I still believe that Dale Hunter is the dirtiest player in NHL history. Worst than Chris Simon! I still wear my Turgeon jersey (last worn in NJ when KO scored his first goal). Another great piece by CB!
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Anthony says:
Another home run Chris! Couldn’t agree more with your assessment….
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C.J. says:
Spot on CB… SPOT ON!!!
Never thought I could “love again” after LaFontaine, but Sneaky Pete changed that.
Was born in 1975. Barely remember the Cup years. I was raised on LaFontaine, the ’92-’93 Isles, the New Ice Age, and the fallout since.
We should most definitely be saluting those fan faves who helped keep fans motivated.
My list includes:
1. LaFontaine
2. The ’92-’93 Playoff Team
3. KJ -
Eric Cup says:
This whole conversation should begin and end with one name – JOHN TONELLI! When will this man get his due? As the dynasty team had some great, great players, it won as a team and I feel safe in saying that without Tonelli’s contribution, 4 cups in a row do NOT happen! Honor this man. Make up for lost time.
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Daniel says:
What a great year that was for Islander hockey. I was 8 at the time and it was my second year playing hockey and of course Turgeon was my favorite player. I remember seeing Turgeon, King, Ferraro, McInnis and many others at the charity softball and bowling events. Why do they not have those anymore? They were great and it showed how involved the players were with the community.
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Mick Vukota says:
Excellent piece CB! I’m 32 and it’s hard to believe it’s been 16 years (half my life) since my beloved NYI won a playoff series. Just to put things into perspective: I didn’t have my driver’s license, I wasn’t eligible to vote and I wasn’t legally permitted to consume alcoholic beverages. That playoff run was nothing short of magical.
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hyedray says:
Right as usual CB. Getting more recent players from that Isles 92-93 team is important.
By the way—can anyone tell me why we NEVER see or hear anything from guys like Ray Ferraro, Derek King, Pat Flatley, Glenn Healey? Those guys may not have won a championship, but over the course of two-three seasons, they were bleeding blue and orange Islanders. They should be included as a big part of our past.
I also believe these players can have a positive impact on the young players who are forming a new Islander’s core.
Isles Hall of Fame—John Tonelli, Ken Morrow, Dave Langevin—3 names that MUST be properly honored. I would even argue 27 belongs in the rafters. No one scored so many critical and timely goals.
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I also believe this article confirms CB’s new no hold barred critique. This site is better than ever.
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Pritchett54 says:
I am 31 years old. All I have as positive memories of my isles are the 92-93 season and the 01-02 season(in which they didnt even win a playoff round). I loved that team with Turgeon, King, Ferraro, Thomas Hogue etc. 92-93 is really all i have, other than a bunch of guys who were thrown together one year(yashin, peca, osgood aucoin) they were here and gone in a flash.
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I have great memories of the under-dog, never say die Isanders of the early 90′s. If it wasn’t for that s-bag, Hunter and his brutal cheapshot on Turgeon as he celebrated a goal with arms raised and facing the glass, I really believe the Islanders would have crushed the Kings and won the cup that year. It was a fun team to watch with noteable personalities. From Thomas to Healy. Even though they didn’t take the NHL by storm, players like Turgeon, Palffy and LaFontaine should be saluted by the Islanders organization. To reject the past is foolish. We should appreciate it and learn from it as fans and an organization. Ferraro to Volek, he scoressssssss!
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JT27MP says:
I would be more agreeable to honor the 92-93 team if it wasn’t for the year after’s postseason being so miserable.
Weren’t the Isles swept by the rags with almost the same cast, but Healy was on the rags????
Even Arbour called out the team being a bunch of wimps.
92-93 was great. But 93-94 put a big damper on its legacy.
PS I totally agree with Eric Cup. John Tonelli deserves to be given his due!
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orngfan says:
my first islanders jersey was a white pierre turgeon, i would have gone crazy at that home opener if he had dropped the puck. brinkley, more of a golf clap.
the islanders should totally bring back kenny jonnson to drop a puck too, thatd be awesome.
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Bob Bassen says:
Man, I love this site! Very relevent post! Promotional events are so critical when a team (like our Isles) are in the lower half of successes in the League. The *wrong* types of PR/Promos can immediatley back-fire…Obviously when your team is *winning* all is good and PR/Promo blunders can be easily forgotten about, etc. But in the case of the Isles, it has been and continues to be critically important to promote and develop what makes your/our team unique!
Go Isles! -
Mike says:
“Ferraro looks to Volek. Off right wing. He shoots, HE SCOOOOOOOORES. THE ISLANDERS WIN!”
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Crackhead Theo says:
My god I loved that team. Hogue was one of my favorite players of all time. I have Hogue and Thomas jerseys still hanging in my closet. Those guys were all heart. The NYI should abslutly honor that team. At least give Turgeon or Hogue a ceremonial puck drop. Or hire Turgeon to help Trottier with player developement. I swear the fan relations folks for the Isles should be fired. Dey has no idea what he is doing.
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chip saunders says:
I’ve said it before,but Rich Pilon’s hit on Kevin Stevens in game 7 was one of my all-time favorite moments other than the Cup wins.It showed the Isle’s where for real and weren’t going to be playing scared. The silence in the Igloo was beautiful.
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Mike post 44,that was pretty awesome also,it felt great to be an Isle’s fan that night. Even dopey Chris Russo got into the act the following day on his radio show.
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Reading all these memories.. I really miss those times when the games REALLY mattered. It’s been far too long.
But I’m optimistic for the new Isles to create some great memories of their own.
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Todd says:
Claire Arbour’s quote begs the question I have asked a million times and you never answered Chris: WHY DID AL ALLOW DONNIE TO NOT PROTECT HEALY? Was Al disenchanted with Healy’s inconsistency? Remember, just months before the playoffs, Danny Lorenzo drove down from Capital District to beat the pens 3-2 because Al was unhappy with the goaltending. What is the story there Chris? Did Al ok that move by Don Maloney to not protect Heals? Can’t imagine that maloney made that move all by himself without asking Al’s permission
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KZ says:
they need to start winning because CB is right about all the things to try and bring fans into the stands. I mean they retired Bill Torrey’s bowtie…A FRIGGEN BOWTIE!
They need to be on the right track with this rebuild…
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Tom says:
IMHO, the Islander org should make a commitmrent to itself…”We will not celebrate the past until we can celebrate the present…”
The Islanders being a chronic failure, as such it becomes somewhat distateful when you constantly go back & brag about what you once were. Win TODAY. Then, THEN you can celebrate yesterday.
Trottier waited to have his day, Pierre’s day will come. The Isles organization must focus on the present & the future. The ENTIRE org. Marketing, Hockey Ops, even Charles B. Wang. The past means nothing if your future is in the toilet. Concentrate on perserving the future. Maybe Pierre Turgeon can drop the puck at Game 1 of a Stanley Cup Finals game the Islanders are playing…Celebrate the past then. Not a minute before.
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and to add to my previous post the Lighthouse too…maybe if Wang can’t get it through the NHL will bail them out and completely redo the coliseum like they just bailed out the Coyotes. Overnight the NHL turned into the US Government…
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Fist of Gillies says:
Who should be the next to enter the Isles HoF?
Westfall? LaFontaine? Tonelli?
I’d vote for Eddie Westfall.
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Im 29 years old and that ’92-’93 team is by far my favorite Islanders team of all time. I was too young to remember the cup years.
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rb says:
@36 – agreed, John Tonelli induction into NYI HOF is WAY OVERDUE
@48 – Maloney cut Healey and Fitzpatrick loose and picked up Hextall, figuring it was better to have a “true No. 1″ – many of us were not crazy about that at the time, and in hindsight it was the wrong move, but there was some “logic” behind it
for CB – isn’t 2009-10 the 30 YEAR anniversary of 1st Cup winner in 1979-80? Any special patch? Any special night? Any thought to having Flyers-Isles play a game in throwbacks at NVMC with the Isles in home whites? (they could “premiere” a future road white jersey to correspond with current third)
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Fist of Gillies post 51,I agree with you,Westfall should be HOF. Was one of the few bright spots in the early years,then a solid contributor when they made their move to being a great team. Great on the P.K. And also some very important goals,game winner in the classic game 7 against the Penguins to cap off the incredible 0-3 comeback. Still one of the All-Time underrated achviements in sports history.
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To clarify,Westfall should be an Isle’s HOF.
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rb post 53,I remember being very excited about getting Hextall,everyone thought it was a great move at the time. But,we where sure wrong.
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#12, my family has had season tix since the 1st season. I have been to 99% of home games and I can honestly tell you that the chant changes around 1989-1991 when the Coliseum was empty and there was a,for lack of a better term,new generation of fans coming in. I clearly remember sitting next to my dad at the start of the season and hearing the “new” chant coming from section 326-327 area and saying to my father “what the hell is that? That sounds like the Rangers chant” and I also remember saying something like ….”thats going to be a curse”. Looking back I feel that was 100% correct. When they started changing the jersey colors (even before the fisherman logo) I remember feeling like it wasnt my team anymore.
Anyone interested in bringing back the ORIGINAL CHANT….the one that was around when this team was winning cups not lotteries? This new chant has bothered me for 20 yrs. -
Also rb,I can’t belive it will be 30 years since that first Cup win.They should definatly do something to honor that team.
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Willis says:
Well, I am looking forward to seeing a new great history be made as this season’s batch of boys pleasantly surprise us.
Hoping, anyway…
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Isles6 says:
Uh, folks…all of these guys are great and deserve to be honored, but how about a guy, who has put 30 years into this franchsie and never been given a day at all…KEN MORROW!
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Your lips to God’s ear Willis.
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Kaszycki's Krew says:
How about honoring the 1975 team for once? This is the team that made me a fan for life. Would love to see Jude Drouin, JP Parise, Ed Westfall, Bert Marshall, Chico Resch, William Smith, Bob Nystrom, Gillies, Bourne, Howatt and Dave Lewis and Bill Harris. 35th year is this year – right? 11 seconds of OT baby !!
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Pablo says:
You make a great point and to see that your finally getting ballsy is encouraging. The only thing this organization has is it’s past, the cups, the players the history behind that beautiful Logo is the memorys of the Winning years decades ago.
Since 92-93 that was our last hope of a cup and the last of quality players and real money spent. You had Turgeon 69 goals,Ferraro 40 goals,Thomas 40 goals,Hogue 35 + goals , and King with 30+.
and with that said that’s what it takes to get through the playoffs.
Now what you see is No Playoffs and Charles Wang using this
once proud Organization and Tradition to help build his LightHouse.
He has all these fans born in the late 90′s+ believing his nonsense that the Islanders can not exstist here without the LightHouse. It is just plain egnorance and nonsense. -
I was born in February 83, meaning I missed nearly all of the glory days. For me, the 92-93 team was my first experience of real, hardcore playoff frenzy. I remember getting so into the team that year, and like others, my first “real” style jersey has 77 on the back (I got my own name, but was a big Turgeon fan). I’d love to see more notice for the greats from that era, as well as those from the “dark days” that you mentioned – Ziggy, KJ, etc. We may not have been winning cups, but you can’t overlook 3 straight 40-goal seasons and plenty of other ways that these guys gave the fans something to cheer about while the team was on its way to another bottom-tier finish. Great piece, CB.
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UIF says:
jay dugan, Sfla – I thought I was going crazy by thinking there was an “original chant”! I honestly thought I just remembered it wrong from my youth or something. “Rangers-esque” is exactly how I’d categorize the change. Yeah, the original, if I remember right, was even like S. Fla said, but with a bit of an emphasis on the “ers” part of Islanders.
Man, I’d be completely on board if we could start a movement to bring back the real chant…we kind of sound a bit whiny with the current one.
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Chris Mc says:
I think it is time the Islanders start paying tribute to the players of the 92-93 team. The ISles did a great job of paying homage to the cup years and their HOF players but now its time to switch focus. While all Islander fans are aware of the great years between 80-84, like a lot of posters have already alluded to, a good number of current Islander fans didnt start watching the team until after the cup years. And their greatest memories are of the 92-93 team and their magical run. I honestly thought they had a good chance of winning the cup after they got through the Penguins. Didnt think that Montreal team or Los Angeles team were that good.
Oh and Don, to lump all Entourage and Kevin Connolly fans 20-somethings with popped collars is ignorant. Especially since the true fans hate morons with popped collars.
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TurgeonFan77132 (Matt) says:
Thanks for a great Pierre Turgeon post CB. I had just started watching the Isles around 1993 (I’m 23), so really my first full season was 1993-94. But thanks to YouTube, some of the 1993 clips are still out there. While I’ve never had a chance to meet him, I’d kill to see Pierre Turgeon for one day- probably one of the most soft spoken and nicest guys in the NHL. I trully think that if Hunter hadn’t been such a sore loser, Lord Stanley was coming back to LI in 1993. It would have been very interesting to see the outcome of the Patrick Division Final against the Pens had Turgeon been healthy and in the lineup. Maybe 7 games wouldn’t have been needed, but then again, no heroics on the part of Dave Volek to end the Pens three-peat run…
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Mavericknyc1980 says:
I loved that team. To this day Turgeon was my Favortie Islander of all time. BTW I would get a Turgeon Jersey.
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StevieL says:
Spot on CB! Just think JT was like 1 yr old when that Turgeon team made it’s run! Talk about a new generation of Islanders!Agree with most here! 2 players at the head of the pack , long overdue for honors are Westfall and Tonelli. The young guy’s here don’t realize how important 18 was. The first Captain! He gave the franchise a face, was a great player we picked off from the great Boston teams of the early 70′s. He scored big goals, was a leader on and off the ice and then was the color guy on TV for the Dynasty. A class act all the way! As he approaches 70 years old, He absolutely needs to be honored ! Tonelli is a no brainer! Just a great player who scored some of the biggest goals in Isle history!! I’d also like to see Jiggs get some due, the voice of the Isles !! Those guy’s in the 90′s deserve their due, but finish up the 70′s and the 80′s while those guy’s are still around to enjoy it!!
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therain93 -- terriers fan says:
Turgeon never seemed to be the same player again after the Hunter hit. Frakkin’ Dale Hunter — he should never have been allowed to play in the league again. Yes, I’m still bitter.
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IslesHostage says:
Here’s a thought: This team should be BANNED from even mentioning the heros of the past and using the names and appearances of those great men until they start acting like a great team again. Garth has miles to go and Wang should enter our solar system. Dey? Brinkley over Sneaky Pete? Says it all, especially when you weigh the marketing and non-hockey silliness the organization puts out.
Botta, you today sound like a resolute and deprived Islander fanatic like us all. This team has a ways to go to get on track with fans and the hockey world in general. Just incompetent. At least we got two NHL goalies this year…..and Rick’s message right on the heels of a good Biron story to besmirch any positive emotion from that.
When we are competitive again and not a joke, we earn the right to even talk about great players from this once great team. Good piece, CB. -
Hey Chris, awesome post. I relate to this directly as I’m 29 and this was the team that really spurred from interest from “I like the Islanders because that’s what my family watches” to “I love the Islanders”
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Chummlee says:
The Heals & Flats Show!
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Rich says:
Keeping Dalgarno over Fitzgerald really hurt the team, Fitz was extremely versatile and a great penalty killer.
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Those that deserve to be considered for Islanders Hall of Fame
Westfall
Langevin
Morrow
LaFontaine
Flatley
Sutter Brothers
Tonelli
Jonsson
Turgeon
Palffy -
Isles fan Ken says:
Great post CB! As with many readers, I missed the Dynasty years and my first connection with the team was the 92-93 season. I was in high school at the time and I still get excited talking about that team. Rich Pilon was my first jersey and will hold onto it forever. Turgeon is one of my favorite players of all time, and I still hate Dale Hunter. Long live the 92-93 Islanders!
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Dyingfour#5 says:
Well said.
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Reading fans comments, remembering what happened to Turgeon after he scored a huge goal by Dale Hunter makes my blood boil again. It is depressing to think that a player would do such a thing and literally get away with it without legal problems. He shouldve been arrested and charged by the full extent of the law. That was not a hockey play, it was an assault on a good guy who wouldn’t hurt a fly. PJ won the Lady Bing award one of those seasons, its was disgrace to happen to a guy like him especially. He assaulted a perfect gentlmman and sportsman by a piece of trash. Sad story
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I wish at least half of this years team plays with the heart and determination that Steve Thomas did.
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West Coast Fan says:
That series against the Penguins was so eerilie reminiscent of what the Pens almost did to the Isles in ’82 it was scary. The Isles were two time champions in ’82, the Pens were two time champions in ’93. The underdogs in both series were not expected to do anything. Both series went the distance. In the deciding game, the underdog had a two goal lead with minutes left to play, and both surrendered it.
Thanksfully, that’s where the similarities ended…
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art says:
Al Arbour has certainly been recognized by the league with his hall of fame status and of course with his name up above at the colesium. But I don’t think that the average young fan realizes that he was the real glue who made all these great players winners!
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Eric says:
I have said it many times and I will say it again, the 92-93 team was MAGICAL! I was 9 years old and it made me fall in love with the New York Islanders. I trully knew at that point, what magic can happen in sports. It was a proud, proud spring. The 92-93 pens were on there way to there 3rd straight cup and were heavy favorites to complete the 3 peat. It was arguably the best pens team ever and the Islanders pulled of what trully was a “Miracle.” Anyway in my opinion pens over isles is the biggest upset in nhl history!
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excuse me Isles over Pens!
“Ferraro to Volek….he scores. THe Islanders are off to Montreal to face the the canadians in the semi finals!” what a great call by Jiggs. That 92-93 Islanders team will always have a spot in my heart. -
Bob S says:
Anyone think our current #77 Trevor Smith, looks like Turgeon?
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One more similarity between the ’82 Isles and the ’93 Pens… each favorite broke the league record for consecutive victories in the given year…
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John says:
The Jonsson everyone keeps clamouring for the Isles HOF… is that… Thomas Jonsson …. I loved the way Tommy played… unheralded and under appreciated… but I always thought he was an important piece in the puzzle.
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@Bob S. Not really – but that reminds me of a story. A few months ago our neighbor was talking about being in college in CT and how her girlfriends all had a thing for some very good Whalers player whose name started with an “S” Sidorkiewicz? No. Ulf Samuelsson? No. SFerraro? SFrancis? Sylvain Turgeon!
So I said, “Too bad he was the lesser talented or good looking Turgeon brother.” She looked dubious but I went to the computer and pulled up pictures of them both and she and my wofe both immediately said “Oh, yeah, the brother is much better looking!”
So, Pierre, you still have fans in these parts… -
jeff says:
Maybe the Isles can take a page out of the Wilpon’s book and honor the Brooklyn Dodger’s past!
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to #79: How about Chico?
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to #79: How about Chico?
Oops! And Goring.
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Alex O says:
How about Derek King Night
LOL -
Brian G says:
When is Milbury Night?
This year Have Pierre or Lafontaine Drop the 1st puck, not E from Entourage.
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This post is amazing – it’s absolutely spot on. I didn’t know about Turgeon being passed over for Christie Brinkley (just the sound of it is ridiculous!). I was 11 years old and watched every Islander game in the 92-93 season, my first season as a real fan and what a season to jump on board. It made me love the Islanders, of course, but hockey in general. The emotions were strong enough in the playoffs that even at 11/12 yrs old I understood – I got it – and I’ve been holding on to it ever since. I can’t wait for this team to win a round again, except for the fact that I might spontaneously combust when they do!
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Jeff, #94 and 95
Absolutely, my mistake on the omission. as well, as Stefan Persson and Tomas Jonsson.
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Tony F. says:
How about “bring back the real chant night”. Great work CB, some of these posts are awesome to many to point out.
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Blizzard says:
How about Mikko Makala night!!!!!
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DRIVE45 says:
Don ‘Dabacle’ Maloney and Mike ‘Madness’ Milbury! What teams the Isles could have iced if not for these two incompetents.
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Isle_in_LA says:
I think they should have Steve Thomas as “Robo Cop” night. That would be sweet!
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Hock says:
Pierre Turrrrrrrrrgeon……used to love hearing that after a goal.
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Stumpy32 says:
I think everyone in my age bracket (I’m 28, but between 25-32) revers the 92-93 team. I second the poster before that said he went from “I like the Islanders because people I lived with liked the Islanders” to “I love the Islanders.” Rare is it that I remember every game, start to finish, like I do those in the spring of ’93. Hell, that Sunday night game against the Caps where we played so badly that Radar yelled at them on the bus back to the hotel to the point that the windows rattled. The game 2 with Mullen falling over the goalie in OT. The Game 3 with the late goal with like 45 seconds to tie, and the bench jumping up. The Game 4 (my first ever playoff game), the double OT Loiselle-to-Ferraro insanity. The Game 6…obviously. The Pens series with Ferraro scoring that wild triple-deke against Barrasso.
But it goes beyond the games. THIS is when my generation, the post-Cup generation, started loving the Islanders. We saw the Coliseum as what our parents told us, rather than just trying to remember it being like that when the place was half-filled and dead silent. It was, for me, the first time I really loved a team, a franchise. G-d, just even mentioning the ’93 playoffs gives me chills. I remember being forced to go to a school play in Queens put on by my aunt the same night as the Game 4 (6-5) game against Pittsburgh, and yelling out in a quiet crowd when Kinger, and Stumpy (get my name now?) and the rest scored to take it back. Skipping out of my hebrew school graduation 5 minutes early to watch Game 3 against Montreal. Going to Game 4 against the Habs, on freaking May 24th. The Islanders play in May?!
I remember years later, trying to create a team with the remaining players from that team that were still in the league. Making my top line Hogue-Thomas-Turgeon-Kaspar-Malakhov on NHL 98.
What a great time to watch the Islanders. And CB, you’re totally right. How is it that this team isn’t remembered by the organization? For a lot of us working so hard to make sure the team still exists in 10 years, this is the only winning we know. The Cup years to me are like the Yankees winning in 1950. It’s great, and I appreciate and respect it, but its not mine. Seeing how the Coliseum could be in ’93 prepped me for the eventual 2002, and hopefully, for what greatness comes next for this franchise.
Wow…I could keep going, but I’m way beyond my limit. This post made my day.
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isles 14 says:
very well said.those where fun teams to watch.pete was my favorite player.
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Mike from Philly says:
I still have my first Islanders jersey in my closet…..a blue away Turgeon 77 jersey. Miss those days!
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Reg Dunlop says:
Since we’re on the topic of Isles history & favorites, does anyone know where you can buy throwback Islanders jerseys? My old man is a diehard Isles fan and never had the cash in the good old days to buy himself a jersey (courtesy of raising 5 kids).
And leave it to us kids to finally buy him his first when we can scrape together the cash – only it was a Yashin jersey, which he’s worn only once.
We’d like to buy him one but don’t know where to turn. And come to think of it, I’d love to pick up a Turgeon jersey for myself.
Any help would be appreciated since the only ones I seem to be able to find are those that are signed and selling for $300+
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Paul says:
Remembering players and holding events for them “COST MONEY”, that is where it starts and stops.
LightHouse first, Islanders second!
By not Honoring your past Vets, sends a bad message to future players.
Legacy is important. -
Dan says:
I remember Hogue spin-o-rama’s and Turgeon banking pucks in off of Derek King. 92-93 is the closest to the cup that may generation has ever really experienced, and I’m 32. And why do they change the home/away scheme every 20 years or so? Just because other leagues use home darks isn’t an excuse. It’ll always be home whites for me. Lastly, what’s the real chant? Can some one spell it out phonetically? I only know the “up, down, up up, down” version.
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Viper says:
Thanks for putting things into perspective, CB. You are right on the money as usual.
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mike says:
Without Tonelli it is only 2 cups in a row and maybe not even the first one. This mans #27 should be in the rafters period!
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Dan (110): To know what the “original” chant sounded like: Take the way we say the “Let’s” and “Is-Land” in the current chant (not the “go” and “ers”), and pronounce all the words in the chant with that same tone. There’s no “Ranger-esque” up/down, up/down tone in the chant. Just “even keel,” each of the words sounding the same. “Let’s go Is-Land-Ers!!!”
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the coliseum would go absolutely nuts if Turgeon walked out onto the ice, in any capacity. He has never been recognized by the team, and I think that is sad. He was an amazing player in an amazing time for the isles. I would make it to any game he would be a part of.
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Darwin says:
I would love for the Isles to honor more players that don’t quite deserve to have their number retired, but should be in the team Hall of Fame. My list would be: Tonelli, Lafontaine, K. Jonsson, Persson, Morrow and possibly Westfall and a few others. Would also love to see Mick Vukota drop the puck. I think I’d get tickets for a game just to see that!
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Anthony L says:
John Tonelli was on the ice for every big goal in their dynasty:
1. Obviously, Nystroms goal in OT vs. Flyers
2. Morrows OT goal vs. Rangers in ’84
3 & 4. tied and won game 5 vs. Pens in 1982 with both goals
5. Assisted on Potvin’s OT goal in game 1 of Finals vs. Flyers
6. Clinched 15th straight win vs. Rockies with last minute goal
7. down 2 games to 1 and 1-0 heading into 3rd in elimination game at MSG, tied game up on early 3rd period goal
I could go on…
And not to mention, he NEVER lost a battle in the corners, EVER. By far, the best corner player I’ve seen. (In simple terms, I tell my son who plays AAA travel hockey – “if you want to play on the top line, you work as hard as John Tonelli”)the complete package
8. -
James says:
Agreed the ’92-93 team would be a good bridge between the Cup teams and today, and Turgeon is the the guy you focus on. He had one of the best seasons in Isles history.
If and when the Isles finally get on the road to success, I nominate Mike Milbury Night, with Roberto Luongo, Bryan McCabe, Olli Jokinen, Todd Bertuzzi, Bryan Berard, Martin Straka, Zdeno Chara, Ziggy Palffy, even Dany Heatley, Marian Gaborik, and Zach Parise out there to greet him…
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Pierre Turgeon is my favorite all-time player and I remember writing to don Maloney to express my displeasure with the trade. I still have his letter back to me (it came with an Islanders sticker and Brett Lindros card) explaining sometimes tough decisions need to be made regarding team chemistry and blah blah blah….ridiculous. Anyway, I’d LOVE to see Sneaky Pete drop the puck sometime in the future. He was the man!
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The way Okposo battles for the puck in the corners reminds me of Tonelli.
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JT says:
Great piece Chris. That was an exciting team. Lots of chemistry on the ice. The series with MTL could have turned out very different had Sneaky Pete not been blindsided in the corner. I’m still angry a the league for not coming down harder on the coward Dale Hunter. As far as NYI HOFers, I’d like to see Jiggs McDonald get the nod.
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Bob Beers night.
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isle5 says:
#113 is right on the money. Game on the line, overtime, get #27 John Tonelli on the ice. He helped win in every clutch situation. He was a winning player. Put #27 in the rafters.
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How about let’s celebrate the following night (after viewing all these posts), lol:
Bob Beers
David Chyzowski
Dean Chynoweth
Kevin Cheveldayoff
Danny Lorenz
Wayne Doucet
Scott Scissions
Steve Junker
JP Dumont
Kristian Kudroc
Mike Ruppand the other busts by the Isles, lol
HAPPY EARLY 40TH SNEAKY PETE!!!
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The Islanders are passing up a night to honor Eddie Westfall this season so that we can bring in Kevin Conolly of Entourage and score points with the better demographic. I love you Chris Dey. (a joke. Or is it?)
Lighthouse first, hockey somewhere after that. -
JP Dumont was/is no bust. Milbury got rid of him because he didn’t want to pay him. He is in the midst of a good career.
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Bill says:
Eddie Westfall night must happen! We need to honor our first Captain who was nothing but a gentleman and class..
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
I agree CB!!
I became a diehard before the cup … and my nephews found there own Islander heros way after the cup … Isles’ Stanley Cups are bookended by some fine loyal traditions … and even with all we have taken as fans … that saying goes in hockey terms of course… What doesn’t kill us makes us only stronger.
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player says:
Like many here I was just a bit too young to fully appreciate the Cup Years (I’m 37), but do remember what a great run that ’93 team had. Many of us Isles fans knew that we were going to have a great season that year, in fact, during August 1992 Steve Somers/WFAN was getting flooded with Isles callers every night in anticipation of the upcoming season, from myself included. Also remember tickets being half price up top for college students, which meant $7…I went to a ton of games and even used to take my “litte” brother who was a Rangers fan…he never did convert.
My favorite memory though has to be game 6 at home vs. Pens, sitting 5th row by the net, and seeing Goldilocks chastising Tom Barasso in between whistles with a sign that read…”Barasshole.” Brilliant!
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Phil says:
Until the Islanders do the right thing and honor the first Mr. Islander aka ED WESTFALL, the Islanders HOF and the banners hanging from the rafters all seem empty to me. Ed Westfall taught the cup teams how to win. He broadcast those teams and beyond. Who has had a longer tenure with the organization? The fact that they never retired his number 18 is a joke. What is worse is an entire generation of Isles fans know little about how much he contributed to this franchise. Until he’s put in the Isles HOF, I could care less who they honor.
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BringBackNyles says:
Msybr I missed it , but no one mentioned the start of the run. Friday night, MSG, Turegeon scored in OT in a game that knocked the rangers out of the playoffs. Messier shut down after that game and became a coach killer, and wsn’t the hero he would become in 1994.
I also remember we had a shot to clinch a spot at home, and became the first team to lose all year to Ottawa away from ottawa, before beating new Jersey the next night (Easter) to get in. We are pretty good on Easter come to think of it.
The 1993 run was amazing, and I recall being shafted on a too many men on the ice call in OT right before the Habs scored.
I also remember, during the 1994 season, we started slow, but Hextall went on a sick roll and we had a crazy shutout streak going. No one saw that ranger series coming, and it deressed Arbiur so much he ended his career. Ranger fans were very nervous going into that series, and we got smoked.
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frank tumminello says:
92-93 isls turgeon on breakaway hits crossbar roys best friend if turgeon burys that it changes everything
Great piece, CB! I agree, the Islanders can and should look back at the past and forward to the future.