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On Monday, Newsday sports media writer Neil Best reported that the Islanders have a number of special evenings planned for fans attending games during the team's last season at Nassau Coliseum.
Among the usual nights dedicated to legends and some current players, the news that stood out the most was about the return of the Islanders' long decommissioned fisherman jersey, which will make a return appearance in warm ups for a game this year. The "modernized" versions of the notoriously maligned sweater will later be auctioned for charity.
Other Promotional Nights for 2014-15
But that unusual promotion was only one of several that the Islanders have planned for this season. Through a contact deep within the organization, Lighthouse Hockey has obtained the full schedule of off-the-wall and unexpected giveaways and gifts that are awaiting fans this year.
Oct. 16 vs. Sharks - Alexei Yashin Night: free admission to all fans wearing turtlenecks to the game.
Oct. 28 vs. Jets - Sutter Brothers Night: Families of six or more may attend free of charge and can stay as long as they want.
Nov. 18 vs. Lightning - Butch Goring Night: Players names will be purposely misspelled on their jerseys, which will later be auctioned off to support the Needy Golfers of Long Island Benevolence Fund.
Dec. 2 vs Senators - Michael Peca Retribution Night: The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a free Islanders commemorative baseball bat and a chance to club former Maple Leafs forward Darcy Tucker in the knees at center ice. For charity.
Dec. 15 vs. Devils - Cablevision Night: In appreciation of the Islanders longtime broadcast partner, the game will be televised only in grainy black and white home video and on a channel that's available exclusively to subscribers who receive Cablevision's pricey premium-tier "Hotel California" package.
Dec 29 vs. Capitals - Mike Milbury Trade-A-Seat Night.
Jan. 16 vs. Penguins - Mick Vukota Hat Trick Night. Three lucky fans will get to meet Gilles Thibaudeau, then never be heard from again.
Jan. 19 vs. Flyers - Pat LaFontaine Night: CANCELED.
Feb. 3 vs. Panthers - John Spano-rama: One of the most highly-anticipated nights of the year. Ticket prices will be reduced to 10% of their face value (i.e. $70.00 tickets will cost just $7.00) and one lucky fan will get to watch the game from a luxury box before being dragged out by Nassau County police officers.
Feb. 10 vs. Oilers - "Back In My Day" Coliseum Night, sponsored by Sunrise Senior Living: Fans 40 and over have access to a special early buffet, and will be led through group discussions in the lounge about how things used to be better, before it got so drafty in here.
Feb. 12 vs. Maple Leafs - Frans Nielsen Night, sponsored by CERN: The Islanders center will personally show the first 500 fans 21 or older how to create a parallel center of the universe, then destroy it with a flick of the wrist.
Feb. 19 vs. Predators - Goalie Promotion Night: One local Long Island youth hockey goalie will be made "honorary general manager for a day."
Feb. 22 vs. Canucks - Mike Sillinger Night: In appreciation of the well-traveled former Islander, each player will wear a different jersey and will be traded to multiple NHL teams throughout the game.
March 13 vs. Senators - Nino Niederreiter Night: To honor the Greatest New York Islander and his benevolent agent, fans who were not given front-row seats upon entering the building can have surrogates email a request for a trade. Random winners will receive congratulatory texts from the team and a seat in the pressbox, with free wine. No lifting required.
March 14 vs. Canadiens - Kirk Muller Minute: Doors won't open until there are five minutes remaining in the first period, and fans will be asked to return home midway through the second.
March 24 vs. Wild - Thomas Vanek Night: Ticket prices will be doubled, but the game will only be two periods long.
March 26 vs. Kings - Pat LaFontaine Night.
March 29 vs. Red Wings - Rick DiPietro Night: Thirty-nine random fans will win 15 years of free medical examinations, courtesy of LIJ Health and MetLife Insurance.
April 4 vs. Sabres - Nassau County Appreciation Night: In celebration of the Islanders home of 43 years, fans will have an opportunity to remove seats, tear down art, smash windows and destroy Nassau Coliseum anyway they wish during the game. After the game is over, Nassau residents will have their taxes raised based on the amount of damage they did.
April 20, Playoffs, (opponent to be determined) - Matt Moulson Night.
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THESE ARE FAKE THEY ARE NOT REAL DON'T GO TO A GAME EXPECTING A CELEBRATION OF KIRK MULLER. The fisherman jersey thing is real, though.