Back on July 23, Pat LaFontaine went with his daughter to the Chris Stapleton concert at UBS Arena when he noticed something he had not seen before. He had not been in the building since the Islanders did away with their Hall of Fame banner and installed a Ring of Honor around the bottom of the upper bowl.
“It was the first time I noticed all the names and now I know there’s a Ring of Honor,” said LaFontaine during an interview Thursday night with WFAN.com.
One of the greatest American hockey players ever will see his name in that Islanders Ring of Honor in just a few months.
On Thursday, Islanders Co-Owner Jon Ledecky along with alumni including Bobby Nystrom, Eddie Westfall, Butch Goring, Ken Morrow and Bryan Trottier were on hand at the Huntington Country Club for the Companions in Courage Golf Outing and that’s when it was announced that LaFontaine would become the 17th member of the Islanders Hall of Fame on December 13th when the Islanders host the Tampa Bay Lightning at 7pm.
For LaFontaine, the honor was even more meaningful because it was announced at his foundation’s special event.
“It’s extra special because we’re raising money to help kids in children’s hospitals and the New York Islanders were kind enough to induct me into the Hall of Fame,” said LaFontaine, the Islanders’ first-round pick (third overall) in 1983.
“I’m super-humbled and I’m very appreciative with tremendous gratitude.”
A native of Waterford, Michigan, LaFontaine played his first 8 NHL seasons with the Islanders. Over 530 games with the blue and orange, he averaged over a point a game. LaFontaine ranks 8th on the Islanders’ all-time list with 566 points and is 7th all-time with 287 goals. The Hockey Hall of Famer and US Hockey Hall of Famer also ranks 5th on the Islanders’ all-time list with 7 hat tricks and 8th all-time with 79 power play goals.
Being in the Islanders Hall of Fame was something that LaFontaine didn’t think about at the start of his career, but he is the franchise’s best player in the post-dynasty era and there have been many fans clamoring for him to be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame. A contract dispute led to the Islanders trading him to Buffalo in October of 1991, but LaFontaine would eventually move back to Long Island and his relationship with the team that drafted him has improved over the years.
And now, he will be officially recognized as one of the greatest players in franchise history.
“You play to be a good team player and be a good ambassador of this sport and you hope to win a championship,” said LaFontaine. “You never think of your name being in a Ring of Honor or a Hall of Fame but this is just a wonderful bonus.”
Having so many former teammates at his event and the announcement meant a lot to LaFontaine who will soon join many of them in the Ring of Honor while also getting an Islanders Hall of Fame plaque.
Other Islanders alumni at the event included Benoit Hogue, Randy Wood and Steve Webb.
“I’m tremendously honored because of the guys who are already there,” said the 60-year-old LaFontaine. “To have this later in my life is very meaningful and special. To have all the guys here…it’s a night I’ll never forget. It’s very nice of Jon Ledecky, the ownership and the organization…I’m just extremely grateful.”
LaFontaine will be joined by his wife Mary Beth, along with his children Daniel, Brianna and Sarah for the pre-game ceremony that will include a video tribute and appearances by former Islanders including Islanders Hall of Fame members. Fans who will be in attendance for Pat LaFontaine Hall of Fame Night on December 13th at UBS Arena will receive a commemorative coin honoring LaFontaine's induction.
It was certainly long overdue, but LaFontaine will soon be taking his place among the greats to wear an Islanders jersey.