When you think about 50 seasons of New York Islanders hockey, it’s impossible to illustrate the storied history of the franchise without a nod to the voices who have connected the team to the fans since 1972.
From a broadcasting standpoint, the names of Jiggs McDonald, Eddie Westfall, Bob Lawrence, Tim Ryan, George Michael and Howie Rose all described the sights and sounds of Islanders hockey on television and radio and the excellence at the microphone continues today with Brendan Burke and Chris King.
For most of those 50 years of Islanders hockey, Stan “The Maven” Fischler was an integral part of the team’s television broadcasts with his strong knowledge of the game, his sense of humor and his strong relationship with the players.
The award-winning journalist and broadcaster is now retired and living in Israel, but he is back on Long Island to be honored on Wednesday night when the Islanders rename the press box at UBS Arena as “The Stan Fischler Press Level” before their game against the Rangers.
"To have my name on the press box is roughly equivalent to something like having a little banner for me," Fischler told newyorkislanders.com. "In my personal journalistic life, this is the crown jewel.”
Fischler began his association with the Islanders in 1972 covering the team as a writer. The Islanders did not have a television package until the 1974-75 season and Fischler was part of the first broadcast. He was a part of the Islanders broadcast team on Sports Channel and MSG Networks until his retirement following the 2017-18 season but he is still a part of the organization to this day as a contributor to the Islanders official website.
All of those Islanders television broadcasts would not have been the same without Stan Fischler.
“Stan’s nickname, “The Maven”, is perfect,” said Islanders Hall of Fame television play by play voice Jiggs McDonald. “His recall of who, what, where and when is beyond reproach. A walking or skating hockey encyclopedia.”
“Over my 15 full seasons and another 10 of filling in, our production meetings always started with a Stan Fischler joke and never, not once, was there anything off color. This honor is a great tribute to what he has meant to New York Islanders television coverage as well as what he has accomplished and produced in the print medium as well.”
Fischler interviewed every legendary Islanders name including the likes of Bill Torrey, Al Arbour, Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin, Bobby Nystrom, Clark Gillies and Billy Smith. He was must-see television for Islanders fans who enjoyed his commentary and his interviews for so many years.
And his connection to the team continued with the Islanders players of today who are thrilled that Fischler is being honored by the organization.
“I think it’s great,” said Islanders Captain Anders Lee. “It’s a huge honor for Stan. I’m very happy for him and his family. Over the years being interviewed by him but even just away from the interviews getting to talk to him and learning from him and hearing some of the stories that he’s had…he’s had a tremendous career.”
“He dedicated his life to this franchise,” said Islanders forward Matt Martin. “He was awesome when he would come into the room. I always enjoyed speaking with him. He’s professional and obviously Islanders fans love him as well.”
“It’s great and he deserves it,” said Islanders forward Josh Bailey. “He’s been in this game for a long time and has seen a lot. It’s always a pleasure talking to him. He’s got kind of his own way of doing things that makes it fun and entertaining for everyone involved.”
Stan Fischler’s career covering hockey spanned eight decades and has been a part of all 50 years of New York Islanders hockey. He’s also covered the Rangers and New Jersey Devils, but his name is synonymous with the history of the Islanders and by naming the press box after him, he will, appropriately be recognized by an organization that he adores with a fan base that couldn’t get enough of his contributions to the sport of hockey.