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| Credit: NY Islanders |
The New York Islanders kicked off their 40th anniversary celebration by announcing five key dates for a celebration of the team's historic achievements, including four decade nights where memorable Islanders will be inducted into the team's Hall of Fame. The team plans to honor Ed Westfall (70s), Ken Morrow (80s), Patrick Flatley (90s), and Kenny Jonsson (00s) throughout the 2011-12 season.
CH: This is absolutely awesome. Both Alex and I have been critical of the team's off-the-ice moves over the past month or so, but this is exactly the jolt the fans needed as the team heads into training camp. While the team overdid the celebrations of the team's past in the early part of the post-lockout era, there has been nothing substantial as far as bringing back legends back for a celebratory occasion since 2008. Since the last celebration, the Core of the Four weekend, the amount of new, core Islanders that have joined the organization is immense. In fact, it is almost the whole team - headlined by John Tavares, Kyle Okposo, Michael Grabner, Mark Streit, and Travis Hamonic (among many others). Only Blake Comeau and Rick DiPietro remain from the 07-08 team that was in attendance for that celebration.
It's time the Islanders start to embrace their history once again, which falls right into their "commitment" campaign for the season. Guys like Tavares and Okposo - yeah, they know about the history of the team. All they have to do is look up at the six retired numbers and four Stanley Cup champion banners. But now, they will get a first hand look at the history of the Islanders. They'll see the packed Coliseum (no question these games will be sellouts) and the outpouring of love fans have for the four inductees. For this first time, these celebrations will be seen more as a transition from old greats to new greats than a mindless way to sell tickets (all while Mike Comrie and Ruslan Fedontenko headline the lineup).
As far as the actual inductees go, there is plenty of time for all of the deserving players to get inducted. Yes, you can name the "snubs" - John Tonelli, Pat LaFontaine, Pierre Turgeon - to name a few. But this is not about them. They will get their day. Instead we should celebrate Ed Westfall, a huge reason those banners are in the rafters even if he didn't win any Cups himself. Ken Morrow, the first player to win an Olympic gold medal and Stanley Cup in the same year. Pat Flatley, the captain of the 1993 team whose commitment to the Islanders is almost unmatched (hey, can't completely forgive him for that Ranger stint). Kenny Jonsson, the steadiest, most underrated defenseman in the game, who played over 500 games as an Islander.
They all deserve this honor, and they all deserve to be celebrated. What better time than now? Time to bridge the gap between the past and the present, as the team looks ahead to cementing their future.
AT: For a team that at the moment really only has its history to look to for inspiration amidst arena troubles, a lack of free agent signings and being a general mockery at times around the league, having something like this is a really great decision on behalf of the Isles. Four fantastic players who helped represent each generation of Islanders hockey. Westfall, the first captain of the team, Ken Morrow, a member of the 1980 "miracle on ice" USA team and all 4 Stanley Cups, Flatley, a strong role player in the early 90's Isles playoff teams, and Jonsson, one of the best d-men to ever play for the team. Some may scoff at the snubs as Carey mentioned, but these are just 4 with many more to come. It's not as if everyone is making it, just those who really have contributed to the rich history that we hold so dear to us in this time of trouble. Kudos to the Isles for bringing back the HOF ceremonies, and I can't wait to see it in person. A new day is dawning in Islander country, but let's not forget the players who helped this team see better days in a time prior.
It's time the Islanders start to embrace their history once again, which falls right into their "commitment" campaign for the season. Guys like Tavares and Okposo - yeah, they know about the history of the team. All they have to do is look up at the six retired numbers and four Stanley Cup champion banners. But now, they will get a first hand look at the history of the Islanders. They'll see the packed Coliseum (no question these games will be sellouts) and the outpouring of love fans have for the four inductees. For this first time, these celebrations will be seen more as a transition from old greats to new greats than a mindless way to sell tickets (all while Mike Comrie and Ruslan Fedontenko headline the lineup).
As far as the actual inductees go, there is plenty of time for all of the deserving players to get inducted. Yes, you can name the "snubs" - John Tonelli, Pat LaFontaine, Pierre Turgeon - to name a few. But this is not about them. They will get their day. Instead we should celebrate Ed Westfall, a huge reason those banners are in the rafters even if he didn't win any Cups himself. Ken Morrow, the first player to win an Olympic gold medal and Stanley Cup in the same year. Pat Flatley, the captain of the 1993 team whose commitment to the Islanders is almost unmatched (hey, can't completely forgive him for that Ranger stint). Kenny Jonsson, the steadiest, most underrated defenseman in the game, who played over 500 games as an Islander.
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