I need your help, Lighthouse Hockey Universe - Help me decide who will grace my next jersey
by David Hanssen on Feb 15, 2010 11:52 PM EST
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Since we don't have any serious Islanders news for the next couple of weeks (Unless Streit does something heroic or gets injured), I thought I would pose this question now. Who should I get on my next Islanders jersey?
After long contemplation I have decided to purchase a new Islanders jersey. IThe last time I bought an Islanders jersey was about eight years ago when I got my Steve Webb 20 and an authentic Fisherman in one fell swoop. Since this is quite the investment (the lowest customized price I was able to find was roughly 165 with shipping), I don't want to rush into whom I would like to put on the back. So I want your help in deciding what jersey I should be rocking.
Alright, first I have a couple of guidelines as to my choices. I don't want to be another DiPi or JT in the crowd. While I love those guys, I want a little bit of originality in my choice. I have already decided it will be this season's 3rd/next season's regular. I also want to avoid any major jersey fouls so I don't wind up on Puck Daddy. I've narrowed it down to eight choices in two groups, current and past Islanders.
Current:
Josh Bailey - Pro: One of the two current Isles I've been leaning heavily towards. Coming into his own this season. Con: Well, none that I can really think of other then in a couple of years if he continues to get better the 12 replica will just be another face in the crowd (And that's not necessarily a bad thing).
Sean Bergenheim - Pro: I love how this guy plays. He's aggresive on the forecheck, responsible defensively, does all the small things that don't show up in the box score. Con: He might not be here that much longer. He's constantly on the trade block/waiver wire
Andy MacDonald - Pro: Looks like he will be a cog in the blue line for years to come. I got to see him develop in Bridgeport the past few years. He just keeps improving every game. Con: Like questions about people looking to get Martin jerseys now, will he wear 47 beyond the end of this year? I almost invested in a DiPietro #1 jersey, and I am rather glad I didn't as he switched to 39 shortly thereafter.
Jesse Joensuu - Pro: Like aMac, a guy I've had the pleasure of watchign develop down on the farm. Again, I love how he plays, going to the net and playing a sound defensive game. Con - Like aMac, will he keep 58 past this season?
Past
Kenny Jonsson - Pro: You don't know what you got 'till it's gone. Jonsson was here through the bad, and luckily some of the good as well. To know all you need to know about Jonsson, just look at the video of Tommy Salo's gaffe in 2002, while all the other players on Sweden are staring dumbstruck as the puck trickles in the net, he is diving head first trying to knock it away. Cons - Well, there were all those concussions. And that did lead to him leaving permamently for Sweden.
Tommy Soderstrom - Pro: I always wanted that helmet. He, like another one of my favorite goalies Archie Irbe, was also not that big (5'9"), and I have a soft sport for short goalies (Maybe it's because I tried to be one unsuccesfuly) Cons: Well, he kinda sucked when he was an Isle.
Pat LaFontaine - Pro: While honestly I never really had the chance to root for Pat as an islander, this one has a special meaning for me. When my 6 month old nephew was in Maria Fereri Childrens' Hospital at Westchester Medical Center a year ago after sustaining a serious head injury, Pat was there visiting as part of his Companions in Courage with Lord Stanley. I remember getting the call from my brother-in-law (Sabres fan) while I was at work that Pat had decided to spent a while visiting with my nephew and his family. He didn't need to, but he did. Cons: Well, he was kinda before my time.
Future?
Calvin de Haan - Pro: Future PP QB of the Islanders. Pretty much set what number he will wear (3). Untapped potential. Update: I can change my name to De Haans and Franz (HT to bob l). Cons: As a prospect still in Juniors he is still a great unknown.
Mikko Koskinen - Pro: He's Big, he'll probably be a part of this organization for a while and who knows he might be the Isles 1A down the lien. Cons: Just kidding. I would truely be insane to get this jersey now with him playing in all of 2 AHL games in his career and just coming off of labrum surgery.
So there you have it. Personally out of the eight serious ones, four are really under serious consideration (Bailey, aMac, Jonsson and LaFontaine). Any others I should consider? I want to stick to players from the time I have been a fan, so 93-94 season to present and not nececarily the "marque" type players either.
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I love this topic.
…but I’m going to have to think about it before throwing my two cents in.
This argument for old ones is up my alley:
You don’t know what you got ‘till it’s gone.
As I said in the other thread, I can’t believe this but the last Isles jersey I had customized had 77 TURGEON on it. Every one since then, I’ve been gun-shy. Seeing him go left a mark, apparently.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Michael Peca for me.
I came SO close to getting another personalized… Campoli 14. In retrospect Im REALLY glad I didnt.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 16, 2010 8:47 AM EST up reply actions
:) I got mine autographed, too. Mike Peca was a really nice guy when I met him, as well.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 16, 2010 9:57 AM EST up reply actions
I came SO close to getting a Peca at the time. I was in boycott mode during the Fisherman years, then bought the blank “third” when they put the NYI crest back on the wave pattern. Then when they ditched the waves I couldn’t decide who to get on my new blank (Peca? Parrish? Aucoin? Cairns?) before it looked like Peca was on the way out.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Heck- I would be happy to get and wear a Cairns jersey right now! :D
For me it was a toss up between him and Peca. Though I dont regret the Peca choice, I do kinda wish Id picked Cairns. I was impatient, and they had Peca ones ready to go lol.
Of course the jersey is so dilapidated and offcolor now that I wouldnt wear it anymore, anyway lol.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 16, 2010 12:33 PM EST up reply actions
Black and Decker Peca Wrecker
I came SO close to getting a Peca at the time
I can see you going into Modell’s and saying, “Excuse me deart, I’m looking for a Peca”
Or commenting on another fan’s jersey, “Hey big fella, that’s one helluva Peca you got there… is that an extra large?”
“Sweetheart, did you wash my Peca… you know it shrinks in cold water!!!”
Why are you so upset?
“the new girl at the office spilled coffee on my Peca”
“Honey, do you know where the sewing kit is… I got my Peca caught in the car door this morning”
Do you have a blue Peca, or a white one?
… okay… I really need to get a life.
IMO, since the “new-old” jersey is going to harken back to the absolute glory days, you should go with someone who is totally symbolic of the glory times:
- Ken Morrow
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Feb 16, 2010 7:55 AM EST reply actions
Sorry, he was of course, Number 6.
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Feb 16, 2010 7:56 AM EST up reply actions
btw, I still have a #8 for Gary Howatt
Change at Woodside for the old Shea Stadium station! Lets Go!
Toy Tiger Toys
I never owned a Howatt jersey, but he was my favorite Islander as a kid. I had an 8 on everything I owned out of admiration and for luck. It eventually became my dad’s locker number so 50% of our laundry had the number 8 on it… the old man still has some socks from “back in the day” with 8 on them… How many people can say their dad’s sock’s remind them of Garry Howatt.
How many people can say their dad’s sock’s remind them of Garry Howatt.
Excellent. I love tales like this.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
I would have said Butchie for the classic but Westfall is actually a really nice suggestion. He was a great Captain, is a great guy, and I miss him on Isles broadcasts.
As far as guys on this team right now, you cant go wrong IMO with any of the BTO.
And I predict Martin and Hamonic jerseys are gonna be VERY common! :)
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 16, 2010 10:01 AM EST up reply actions
Fruity Pebbles
My three favorite dynasty era Isles are Potvin, Gillies and Howatt (order usually depeds on how my liver is processing the bourbon at the time), I would, however, get a jersey from one of my second tier faves, Dave Langevin, just so I could put BAM BAM as the name.
Dynasty Years Guys
While I like and admire the guys from the Dynasty years, I don’t really remember many of them playing (I was born in April of ’83). I would feel a bit disingenuous wearing their name and number on my jersey.
To fight the horde, sing and cry: Valhalla I am coming!
by David Hanssen on Feb 16, 2010 10:52 AM EST up reply actions
There is nothing wrong with being disingenuous, although being candid has never been your weak point.
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Feb 16, 2010 12:11 PM EST up reply actions
I’m nothing if not blunt.
To fight the horde, sing and cry: Valhalla I am coming!
by David Hanssen on Feb 16, 2010 12:19 PM EST up reply actions
I know what you mean.
For me the dynasty guy I feel ‘closest’ to is unquestionably Butchie. I didnt watch him as an Isles player BITD but I saw him coach and now as a commentator at games for years. Ive watched tons of what he did in retrospect so that now I know how the guy played. If I ever got a classic it would have to be Butchie for those reasons. Plus, IMO he is the kind of guy that every team in the league yearns for, even if they already have a superstar.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 16, 2010 12:37 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t know if everybody would agree with this… but in my opinion you saw him play with a full head of hair, a new helmet and the number 55. the only thing that was missing was on the dot. If Blake was a mute (Jason was a yapper) center he’d have been the second coming.
You did miss one helluva fun hockey player to watch… especially with the antique helmet..There are some Islanders who have told stories about Butchie having his graduation suit to go to NHL functions…
Con: Like questions about people looking to get Martin jerseys now, will he wear 47 beyond the end of this year? I almost invested in a DiPietro #1 jersey, and I am rather glad I didn’t as he switched to 39 shortly thereafter.
That isnt a bad thing. If the player genuinely wore the number, then theres nothing wrong with wearing it, too- even if they do change it. In fact, I think its kind of cool.
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
Yeah, I’ve always kind of liked those. Was watching DVDs a while ago and watched the Bates “penalty shot game” — and there was Hunter, deer in the headlights call-up, wearing #43 (and with hair!).
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Ha! Trent with hair… thats too strange for me to remember! :D
Guys like Tim Connolly and Comeau and agree wholeheartedly: “Please forget about all that!”
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 16, 2010 12:39 PM EST up reply actions
AMac, all the way. As a huge Martinek fan, I think that Andy has taken the reigns as a mirror image of Marti. I’m with you, though. The Cons outweigh ($$) the Pros in this debate.
The Con$ really are huge. Making it worse, the RBK (vowels not included) materials do not seem as durable as the old CCM style.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
i gotta hookup, got my JT for $60, it’s the canadian version, with #‘s for sizes instead of S/M/L/XL, etc, but it’s still decent for the money, only prob is the logo is flimsy, not like the starchy unbreakable one on my DiPi jersey
why isn't #16 hanging in the rafters?
only prob is the logo is flimsy, not like the starchy unbreakable one on my DiPi jersey
No kidding — the logo on my third jersey is a veritable knight’s shield. Suitable for SWAT team duty.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
De Haan,
then you can change your name to De Haans and Fraanz or something like that :-)
why isn't #16 hanging in the rafters?
I might have to. Then my name would make more sense!
To fight the horde, sing and cry: Valhalla I am coming!
by David Hanssen on Feb 16, 2010 10:57 AM EST up reply actions
(De)Haans and Frans
LOL!
Let Us Go, Islanders! (Ever notice how strange that sounds without the contraction?)
by TheMetalChick on Feb 16, 2010 12:42 PM EST up reply actions
Rob Schremp...
I’ve been more impressed with him this year than anyone else, yes it may be to soon to make a final judgement, but the effort and skill he shows every night will not stop. Once we find him some proper linemates I really think he will one of our best players for years to come.
De Haan
He wore #3 in camp, right? (You may have a typo).
Thinking about this, Bailey would be a very solid choice. I’m obviously gun-shy, so I wouldn’t bite on MacDonald just yet.
Of course, if it’s me, I’ve thought for a while my guy would be 51 NIELSEN.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Yeah, that 2 was a typo. I didn’t include Nielsen because I didn’t want the list to go on forever and it was a coin flip between him and Bergie for who would make it. In the long run, he’d probably be a better choice than Bergenheim since he will probably be here for longer.
To fight the horde, sing and cry: Valhalla I am coming!
by David Hanssen on Feb 16, 2010 10:47 AM EST up reply actions
I'm looking to get a new Isles jersey too
I had a Peca jersey, but someone spilled coffee all over it and I’m in the market for a new one. I’m considering going with a LaFontaine throwback, but I do vaguely remember him being an Islander (the first year I got into hockey was 1991, Pat’s last year as an Islander). He was my favorite player when I was a kid, even though I barely remember him being an Islander. I’m torn between him and getting an Okposo jersey.
Also, I agree with TheMetalChick – as long as a guy once wore a jersey number, it’s fine to get it on a jersey, even if he changes his number down the road.
2009 Did Not Happen
LaFontaine
I’m in the same boat with LaFontaine, I don’t really remember him as an Islander but he’s such a good guy and he did something really nice for my family in a time of need that I’ve been leaning towards him lately.
To fight the horde, sing and cry: Valhalla I am coming!
by David Hanssen on Feb 16, 2010 10:56 AM EST up reply actions
He really is. I could even handle a vintage Sabres LaFontaine at this point, which is really amazing considering how distraught I was at the time of the trade.
One of those classic trades, though, where both players immediately helped their teams, so now I can look at it more historically rather than as someone who’s just had his still-beating heart ripped from his chest.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
LaFontaine would be a very good choice.
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Feb 16, 2010 12:12 PM EST up reply actions
There is nothing wrong with a classic. Until the Isles get a core that you know is going to stick around it is really tough to pick a jersey. LaFontaine takes you back to a team that had a chance and better times. Plus it helps dull the pain of seeing that name and # on the back of a Rag’s jersey.
However, if you were dead set on pulling a current day Islander, you should wait until next year and see what # AMac takes. If that guy can avoid injury, he could be one of our best kept secrets. That would make him a little less likely to be traded. If he gets paired with DeHaan (obviously in the future) or Streit after he develops a little more…look out.
Will work...for playoffs.
by metalcoconut on Feb 18, 2010 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
Plus it helps dull the pain of seeing that name and # on the back of a Rag’s jersey.
:plugs ears:
LALALALALALALALA I AM NOT LISTENING I DO NOT HEAR THESE WORDS THIS NEVER HAPPENED LALALALALA…
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
20 Questions
I was pondering the same question last year, and I was torn between Okie and Bergy. I wasn’t able to decide before the end of the season so there was no rush. Then during the lead up to the draft I posed tis question to myself. Who on the current roster has the most value, and is the easiest to trade. (This was when they were talking about moving up with their second first rounder). Bergy and Tambellini were the answers I came up with… and now that has kept me from pulling the trigger. It’s gotten worse over the past two months because Bailey, Moulson, Joensuu and Martin have made him even more “expendable”.
So now I’m just going to wait for Okie to earn the red badge of courage… or Martin to pick a permanent number.
Soderstrom was always a favorite of mine too. My goalie stick that lasted the longest amount of time was a Soderstrom style stick. I remember one time I was looking him up (back in 99, before the information was available) to find out what had happened to him. I ended up finding a website that had rated every goalie via Swiss Cheese. He was their poster boy for swiss cheese and was the worst rated goalie on the site with 5 swiss cheese chunks. I was heart broken and like “Not Tommy!”
"Martin is psychical" - In reference to Matt Martin being called up to the Islanders.
Now that I think about it, if I can ever find somebody who would be willing to customize my Fisherman jersey (Not bloody likely), I think I’ll do Soderstrom on that one.
To fight the horde, sing and cry: Valhalla I am coming!
by David Hanssen on Feb 16, 2010 2:56 PM EST up reply actions
An apt symbol for the era.
I remember acquiring/playing him in NHL ninety-whatever — I was the type who made every real-world league transaction to keep the game “true,” which always seemed to crash the memory — and was so frustrated at his rating. “Come on! He’s better than this! My coaching can only overcome so much!”
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
NOOOO SODERSTROM!
Def. not him. he was terrible.
Out of your choices I would go with Josh Bailey.
For a future guy maybe go Matt Martin.\
You want to be careful out picking guys who may not be here past this season or next.
by Oleg Kvasha All Star on Feb 16, 2010 4:02 PM EST reply actions
I'm not a big fan of wearing Jerseys of former or classic players...
I do have a Turgeon in my closet I never wear, but if I was considering one from that time frame it would be Darius Kasparitis, no Islander was more fun to watch.
Sized XXXL to fit the pads.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
From our generation's 'glory years...'
Being you were born in ‘83, the most memorable year for you would have to be either ’92-’93 or ‘01-’02 (I assume…I’m not presuming to tell you what you remember, just saying that I was born in ‘78 and those are the most memorable for me…). If you go by those years, why not go with an unsung hero from our Pittsburgh victory, like David Volek or Tom Fitzgerald. Volek is a stretch (didn’t contribute much besides the OT winner, but he had such potential), but Tommy Fitz was a solid character guy who played his heart out.
Speaking of other guys who played their hearts out, why does no one mention our captain from the time, Pat Flatley? Is it because he went to the other side?
always felt we pushed flats over there, but maybe not, i still can’t hate him
why isn't #16 hanging in the rafters?
Me too. Like so many departures, it wasn’t Flats’ fault, if I recall.
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
Welcome, billymac, thanks for joining.
Speaking of Volek, he had a funny helmet too — perhaps another source of appeal for the Soderstrom fans around here?
Lighthouse Hockey: Under contract through 2021, knees and hips be damned.
I know I’ve mentioned this before, but I was being raised early on to be a Rangers fan until around my 10th or 11th birthday my mother got me an Islanders Jersey. This pissed off my die hard Rags fan father to no end, and as a young brat I got a kick out of that. Hence I am an Isles fan. So I was an Isles fan during the very lean years, and Jonsson was around for both the bad years and the good years I’ve been a fan. That’s why I have him has one of my past choices.
To fight the horde, sing and cry: Valhalla I am coming!
by David Hanssen on Feb 17, 2010 3:00 PM EST up reply actions
jersey
get a #57, but to hide the shame put the nam Santana on the back
by Lakewood Islander on Feb 17, 2010 3:57 PM EST reply actions
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