Ever since the group led by Scott Malkin and Jon Ledecky took over majority ownership of the Islanders in 2016, a major focus has been reconnecting the team’s alumni with the organization. There was a time when some former players didn’t have anything to do with the franchise for one reason or another. But piece by piece and brick by brick, the new Islanders ownership has been able to mend some fences and heal old wounds and that has been a wonderful thing for Islanders Country.
One of the relationships that had to be repaired was with Pat LaFontaine, one of the greatest players in Islanders history. For years, Islanders fans of all ages were clamoring for LaFontaine to finally be inducted into the Islanders Hall of Fame.
Prior to Thursday’s 3-2 shootout win over the Lightning at UBS Arena, that finally happened and it put LaFontaine in a reflective mood.
“Everything kind of came full-circle,” said LaFontaine, the 17th member of the Islanders Hall of Fame “I thought about the time I came here and all the things I learned as a 19-year-old. You don’t really understand it until you get older and you realize that playing with guys like Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin, Clark Gillies, Bobby Nystrom and all these guys…Billy Smith…you learn so much.”
The Islanders hosted about 50 former players and employees from their storied history over the weekend. There were some that couldn’t make it and there were also a few who were certainly there in spirit looking down and smiling from heaven like Bill Torrey, Al Arbour, Mike Bossy and Clark Gillies. They aren’t just smiling because of LaFontaine’s special day.
That’s because it’s starting to feel like the old days again because the team is doing so well.
“All the players talk,” said LaFontaine. “You go around the league and there are places you just know who does it right and who wants to really make you feel like part of a family. The Islanders, back (in the 70’s and 80’s), had a love affair with the community and the community had a love affair with the Islanders. You start to feel now that there’s a sense of family but it starts at the top and it filters right through. You can see the way the team is playing now.”
It was a joyous few days for the Islanders alumni and it really started on Wednesday night when a team of former Islanders took the cast of the TV show “Shoresy” at UBS Arena with proceeds from the game going to the Islanders Children’s Foundation. The crowd cheered for former stars like Matt Martin and Josh Bailey who each netted a hat trick while former Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro played as a forward and scored a goal.
Behind the bench was Islanders legend Bryan Trottier who also lent a helping hand for a great community event this past Thursday. The Islanders teamed up with Bob’s Discount Furniture to Host the team’s annual holiday toy drive to benefit the Little Saint Nick Foundation. All fans who donated four or more toys as they made their way into UBS Arena for the Islanders’ 5-2 win over the Ducks received a voucher for tickets to a future Islanders game.
“Anytime you get involved with these wonderful fans of Long Island, it’s kind of a privilege,” said Trottier. “They’re great supporters. They do so much. We were a big part of the fabric in the 70’s-80’s-90’s era. We’re so proud of our hockey fans here on Long Island. They come out in droves and they’re hearts are full with giving and their hearts are full of Islanders pride.”
That night, Bob’s Discount Furniture also presented a $2,500 donation to the John Theissen Children’s Foundation for a room makeover.
These are good times to be a part of Islanders Country, both off the ice and on the ice.
“I’m a big Patrick Roy fan,” said Trottier. “You can’t help but pull for them…they’re wearing the right logo. (Matthew) Schaefer is off to a great start and I wish him a great career.”
The induction of Pat LaFontaine into the Islanders Hall of Fame was a great way to cap off Alumni Weekend. There are many people who felt that it was an honor long overdue, but good things certainly come to those who wait, especially LaFontaine who continues to call Long Island home and has done remarkable work with his Companions in Courage Foundation. The organization, founded in 1997, raises funds to build interactive playrooms for children in hospitals throughout North America.
During the ceremony, LaFontaine was certainly shown the love from Islanders fans with so many cheers and ovations.
“I was very touched by the fact that it feels like home again, said Lafontaine. “It wasn’t like that for a while. I was overwhelmed. To hear the fans, I’ll cherish it.”
Islanders fans of all ages are certainly cherishing the terrific season that the team is having but they also appreciate the past and the many great individuals who laid the foundation for this franchise years ago.
Alumni Weekend is always a time to celebrate what it means to be an Islander and an Islanders fan.