PAUL AND RICHARD PARK SHARE THE JOURNEY
Notebook: Lighthouse, Rolo and the Best Left Side?
FanHouse: 2010 NHL Draft Location is Set
As Paul Park of Seoul, South Korea watched last night as his son Richard played his 631st game in the National Hockey League, you have to wonder if he took a step back and reflected on his American journey.
Mr. Park and his wife moved their family - including three-year-old Richard and his older brother and two sisters - from Korea to Los Angeles in 1979. The Parks moved not because they had to, but to keep their immediate family together. Richard’s mom is one of eight children, and all of them had moved from Korea to California.
Paul Park was a lawyer in Seoul. The language barrier too difficult to overcome in LA, Paul became a business owner. He bought a supermarket in the Koreatown section of Los Angeles and still owns and operates it thirty years later. Richard never worked much in the market much because his parents allowed him to pursue a career in hockey, which later necessitated the teenager leaving California for Ontario to play junior hockey.
Now Paul Park gets to take a vacation from the market and relax in a suite, proudly watching his son this week as a guest on the Islanders’ fathers’ trips made possible by Charles Wang.
“My dad is hard-working, honest, positive, very smart,” says Richard, the veteran Islanders forward who inherited all of the above. “What I really admire about him is that he genuinely likes people.
“He’s been on a few of these trips with the Islanders and it’s a highlight for both of us. There’s really no way for me to thank my dad enough. He gave me an opportunity to follow my dreams.”
NOTEBOOK
It’s Rolo’s Ball: Dwayne Roloson has now started seven of the last ten games and continues to play brilliantly and, you know, just not lose. There’s no reason to do anything else accept ride him three out of four games. Martin Biron has been fine, a first-class pro getting the short end of his team’s offensive production. But it is what it is and Roloson is this team’s No. 1 starter. The time to talk about or build up Biron’s trade value is not when you’re in the playoff hunt and Roloson is playing superbly. Roloson is also the incumbent No. 1 should Rick DiPietro make a healthy return. This is his job to lose.
The Father Effect: There hasn’t been a consistent trend to how the Islanders have performed on these dads’ trips over the last decade. I recall a particular stinker in Florida a couple of years ago by a good Islanders team. It was so bad, I remember thinking during the third period this just might bury the whole concept. Good on Charles Wang for footing the large bill in the spirit of team-building and dad-thanking. If the Islanders have another good one in Tampa Bay, the dads might have to extend their stay to Philadelphia and Toronto.
The Best Left Side?: On the umpteenth re-run of an interview show last night, Clark Gillies caught my attention. (You’d think I’d know the show by heart by now). Talking about the Islanders dynasty, Gillies said he’ll take his team’s left side over any in hockey. The left wings were Gillies, John Tonelli, Bob Bourne and Anders Kallur. Not too shabby.
The Lions of the Lighthouse: The Lighthouse Twitter page used to be a must-follow for completely biased, but timely updates on the status of the Coliseum project. But when we talk about things being quiet around Lighthouseland, there’s no better illustration than Twitter. Where you used to see some chippy stuff - “Check out this post comparing Kate Murray to Walter O’Malley” - the Twitter feed now goes days without updates or is used for personal rants: “Stafford picked off for second time by Traman Williams.” Today’s post is for a New York Post writer’s coverage of…high school sports. Somebody’s buddy, I assume. Yikes. Thought this was the biggest proposed development since the days of Robert Moses.
My pal, the relentless Katrina Doell from the LDC, has not posted an updated on her Lighthouse blog in three weeks. Since the Lighthouse is in a news blackout, why not tell everyone the pages are shut down indefinitely? That would really stir it up.
DiPietro Coverage: Just a reminder that Point Blank will be in Bridgeport on Saturday for the first game in Rick DiPietro’s attempted comeback. I’ll be counting on you in Comments for some updates of the Islanders’ game in Tampa Bay. DiPietro and Stephen Valiquette (with Hartford) back in the American Hockey League…it’s like 2000 all over again. DiPietro and the Sound Tigers host Springfield on Saturday at 7:00 pm at the Arena at Harbor Yard. Tickets are available, and every seat in the barn is a good seat.
Point Blank Night Wednesday: The big event is scheduled for this coming Wednesday at 7:00 pm. Free buffet prepared by Danny Gagnon of “Top Chef” and $1 Bud and Bud Light drafts from 7-8 pm. Complimentary shots after each Islanders goal. Raffle, including Islanders tickets and a John Tavares jersey. All ages welcome. 21 and over to drink. SOCIAL is at 1002 Hempstead Turnpike across the street from the Coliseum. Look like we’ll have a nice guest or two I’m sure some of you will enjoy seeing. If you can make it, let me know here and/or on Facebook.
Matchup: I’ve had some fun with Scott Gordon’s comment about Dwayne Roloson matching up well with Atlanta because at 40 years of age and with all his accomplishments, Roloson matches up fine with just about any team. But by the way the Islanders won on Nov. 7 in an open game at home and last night in a tighter one on the road, I think it’s safe to say the Islanders match up well with the Thrashers.
Tampa Bay, I’m not so sure, but these Islanders keep surprising us.
Comments on this post.
37 Responses to “PAUL AND RICHARD PARK SHARE THE JOURNEY
Notebook: Lighthouse, Rolo and the Best Left Side?”
Please Wait
Nice to see that this organization, which has had a few operations “misteps” in recent times kept the Dad’s trip. CB, any other team do this sort of thing?
An absolute pleasure to watch last nights game at midnight via DVR and not knowing the outcome beforehand.
Great effort… Great game… Great outcome.
Bruno Gervais played his best game of the season.
DOC
Everything seems good in Islanders Country - it’s almost nice not to be hearing ANYTHING lighthouse related and just enjoy the sport we all love!
love parky on the 4th line. he’s a gritty player who knows his role. curious if jackman will stay on that line in the future will the development of martin in bridgeport. or is martin better suited for a 2nd or 3rd line wing. And Doc, I’m in total agreement, Bruno was great last night. Still, I would see if Carolina is nearing the point where they will sell of their UFA’s - Whitney, Corvo and Ward. They would all help us.
CB- As an out of town reader I want to thank you for all your coverage on the Islanders. You really make it easy for a college kid to feel like hes back on the Island. On that note I would love to attend one of these Islanders hang outs. How about one around Christmas break so Isles out of towners who are home for the holdiays can see just how strong Isles fever is on the Island.
Nice story about Park, C.B.
Having moved close to Koreatown LA, now if I could just find that store that Mr. Park owns….
Agreed on Roloson…hopefully he can pass some of his knowledge on playing the angles to DP. That was always the weakest part of DP’s game, imo, and is hands down the greatest strength of Roloson’s game.
Richard Park is a 1st class individual. You can’t help but root for the guy.
i cant imagine how cool it is to be a dad on that trip. couldnt imagine being prouder.
btw, matt martin’s fighting clips are very impressive. if this guy really has decent touch, and can throw em like that, when he gets nhl strong, he will be a fan favorite in no time….
Great piece on Parky … that man has had an extraordinary journey to the NHL … his work ethic is a pure testament to never give up. Glad he’s an Isle.
***
After seeing how John Tavares plays this seaon … more than anything else … I really would like to see Rick return to form. I know that the Isles’ fortunes are ultimately tied to his recovery … and seeing how dedicated and proud he sincerely is to be an Islander … and win a cup for the Islanders I want him to be able to skate with the cup over his head in an Islander jersey… Even though we blame Milbury for drafting him … think about it … DP is more a victim of Milbury’s moves more than anyone on the team today.
CB: Ever been on one of those Isle’s chartered airplanes? A little insight as to how the team travels would be cool. I heard some of the guys referring to how impressed their dads were of the roomy seats and food and drink that is served. Who arranges all that? Is it via an airline or the team? This dad’s trip is becoming so popular, anyone lobbying for the mom’s?
chris… as usual good story… you are becoming a better writer every day… but one thing… yes it’s rolo’s job to lose but dp has home ice advantage… what i mean by that is… if rolo is better in any way then yes he should stay number 1 but at any point (once health issues are not a factor) if it’s a tie between the two… if they are both playing equally well… then dp has the adv. of taking number 1 back. with all things being equal you go with the younger one with the longer contract.
On netsdaily.com the reports have been that the islanders are setting up as the team that would move in with the nets to Brooklyn.As reported early the team or teams that move to Brooklyn must use the Brooklyn name. Also today it’s reported on the page that the knicks will let the nets move in to the city for free but as of now there is no deal in the works for the Rangers giving the ok to the Islanders/NHL to move in to the Brooklyn/ market. With the nets new owner taking over in Jan and with bigtime $$$ he’s the only man who could over pay to buy the islanders and set up shop in Brooklyn
i posted something about this late last night and apologies for repeating it but i found it so funny. the headline for the daily news on the islander game late last night was literally this “John Tavares scores 11th goal, but New York Islanders fall to Atlanta Thrashers”. they fixed it earlier today but it’s stuff like that, that makes isles fans nutzo lol. must have been some cranky ranger fan working the night shift.
Chris: Any reaction to the NY Post story on the Isles possibly joining the Nets in Brooklyn? Any chance they join the Isles on LI if the project ever gets approved?
i read that too, D-man. Classic. CB: One quick question!! Is John Tavares starting to enjoy his time on the Island or is he the same scripted individual that I enjoyed hearing at the draft. Having him fully on board is vital to our future success
JT (14): I just wrote about this the other day and had Brooklyn as the No. 1 option if the Lighthouse does not get done…CB
Certainly won’t be the 1st to comment like this, but it’s stories like these IMO that make IPB stand out. Tidbits into the lives of players and personnel are so interesting and draw you even closer to the team. Nice work CB.
BTW, my son was adopted from Korea and one of the great thrills I had as a dad was having the opportunity to go with him down to the concourse area where fans are allowed to greet the team as they go out to the ice. Have a nice photo of my son slapping hands with Richard Park. You can’t help but be impressed with Park’s continued committment to each game. He never takes a shift off and as a fan that’s what you expect of your players. Let’s Go Richard Park and Let’s go Isles!!!
Hi Chris, is there any chance that Wang may build the Atlantic Yards project together with Bruce Ratner if the Lighthouse does not go through?
CB, why the heck has the LDG not updated the people that have supported them for so long? If something is up, i think we deserve to know, one way or the other.
As for the team, they continue to show flashes of a multi pronged attack and they are getting solid goaltending. Their defense takes some nights off, which will need to be addressed, but all in all we Isles fans HAVE to be happy with the results thus far.
And at the VERY least, they are fun to watch. Playoffs….?
CB,
I’m SHOCKED you’re so certain that the jobis Roloson’s to lose even if DP makes a healthy and complete return. Why are you so sure of that? I can definitely see the Isles wanting to ease Ricky back in and give Roly most of the starts, but to say it’s not his job? He’s still their franchise player…
(20) Akeem, the day the Isles drafted John Tavares was the day Rick Dipietro was no longer their franchise player.
That’s a FACT.
Richard Park rules. I can’t believe he’s a -11 or whatever it is now, but I guess that’s what happens when your line has a total of about 3 goals on the season.
joe corvo would be SICK on the blueline. i’ve always been a fan of his. he’d be just what they need, another decently sound defenseman who can also put the puck in the net. sort of like a marc andre bergeron who can actually play defense.
Big Van,
Tavares may very well become their franchise player, and believe me there’s no bigger JT fan than myself, but if you base it on accomplishments and contract, he’s not yet. In any event, “franchise player” is an artificial label anyway. Doesn’t really matter. Point is, I’m not so sure ths job isn’t DP’s so long as he proves he’s back to his old form.
Thanks Chris. As usual, you’re all over it. Continued thanks for making PB and Fanhouse a must read for NYI and hockey fans.
Make no mistake about it; JOHN TAVARES is the “Franchise” The Isles haven’t had a player at center since LaFontaine that has demanded this attention/hype. AGAIN, make no mistake about it - a successful career from JT on LI, and he’ll be pointed at as the guy who “saved the Islanders franchise”…
…and just to clarify, Pierre Turgeon was a great center (albeit briefly), but he wasn’t home-grown like LaFontaine. Tavares is doing exactly what we PRAYED he’d do the second he legitimately came onto our radar (since about December last year! LOL)
Park has put himself on the list of players Isles fans really like, which is pretty remarkable considering that the team has been in the dumps while he’s bee here. No playoff run, no franchise defining moments. Just hard work and effort from a 1st class guy.
Roloson’s been a revelation. I never thought he’d play this well at 40 going to a bad team basically only because they gave him extra money in a second year. It’s a tribute to his competitiveness that he bought right in and said I’m going to make a difference.
Biron? He’s played just well enough to lose by one on some nights. Hope he gets real hot so he increases the chances he can go to a Cup competitor this year (for decent value).
and as soon as he signs a big contract and gets injured some of you guys will turn on him like… hmmm… who does that sound like?
For whatever it’s worth, I get tired of Islander fans publicly referring to the Islanders as a “bad” team. It’s amazing how often you see this… particularly when discussing, for example, Tavares’ success thus far. “Already 22 points in his rookie season playing for a bad team…”, stuff like that.
I don’t think the rest of league views the Islanders that way anymore. For those of you who are not from LI and had to catch the Atlanta feed on Centre Ice last night, could you believe the love-fest those announcers had for the Isles, particularly in the third period? They wouldn’t stop talking about how impressive they found the Islanders, how the result of the game had less to do with Atlanta’s failure to execute and more with the Islanders simply playing a great brand of hockey, etc.
I think we’re so used to having been doormats for so long that we don’t seem to be aware of how good things are starting to look. People elsewhere are certainly noticing.
Love how Jethro says to Fran Healy how even when he was scoring goals alongside Boss and Trotts, he knew what his job was.
Park is great guy. His Skills is very under rated and a pleasure to have on team. Boy do I wish my dad allowed me to play hockey and never have to work growin up.
Boy I hope Brooklyn isn’t the first option, I’d hate for Charles Wang to have to kiss ugly ass Bertha Lewis (ACORN) to get it done. YUK!
Shoot Isles are playing Tor and Philly again, great we can watch Jackman and Thompson (rightfully) turning down fights against tougher oppents.
Team is playing well. I question the choice to not play Biron more. Isn’t it about building up his trade value? No idea why the team doesn’t play harder for him but maybe it is because they know he’s going to be moved?
Great to see DiPietro coming back.
I think it is easy to see from interviews that the Park family did a great job in raising Richard.
CB, seriously why don’t NHL teams do a Mom’s trip? Do they feel the Mom’s would be more of a distraction?
Parky is first class all the way and very proud of his heritage. And no I . Not related to him lol
@31 Isles may be improved this year, but when you finish dead last, there is no doubting that they were a “bad team” coming into this year
I think BK would be a mistake. At least with Queens the Islanders can sort of keep their “suburban” identity, and Long Island fans could easily get to Willets Point. BK would be a different story. Darn, I live in Eastern Queens and don’t think I’d even want to trek to BK.