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On Thursday, October 25th – the NYIBC had their initial meeting of the season, at the Northwell Ice Center in East Meadow.  We were honored to have new Islanders President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello be our guest.

He spent about an hour walking up and down the room, answering questions  with a great deal of honesty, candor and at times with great humor.  He provided the vision of what he wants to see from the team for this season, and beyond.  He really feels that this team can compete now, despite the changes made, but he thinks it will be about 20 games before he gets a real strong idea of where they stand.

He spent a good deal of time talking about the John Tavares scenario.  Paraphrasing his comments:

First of all, Let me Just say that John is a Tremendous Human being. He’s a terrific Player, A Very Hard worker, has an Incredible Personality and is an Incredible Human being. He spent “X” amount of years with the Islanders and he earned his right to be a Free Agent. He took advantage of his Opportunity and went to where he felt he had the best chance to win. It’s like when your Child finishes High School and has to choose where they want to go to College. They earned that right to choose what school they want to go to. John did what was best for him and his family. Ownership at the time wanted to keep John around and thought they could keep him. I know it’s hard for the fans, but I know that this was a very difficult for John as well. It wasn’t an easy decision for him to make.

He dispelled some rumors – for example – Russian prospect Ilya Sorokin – there was talk that he was not coming over with former GM Garth Snow in charge; Lou said that was 100% false.  We also found out that Doug Weight is no longer with the organization and Snow is the Senior Advisor to Lamoriello.

He had some nice things to say about new Islanders netminder Robin Lehner :

On Lehner: I’ve known Robin since his time in Sweden and throughout his career. I knew he was struggling the past couple of seasons. We decided to give him a call, Fly him in and talk to him. He was Determined and motiviated. Barry Trotz had a conversation with him as well and when we signed Robin, He immediately moved to the Island.

The following was commentary on Thomas Greiss:

Thomas is a Terrific young man, He is a Family Guy, His work ethic is exceptional and I feel like he can help this team. A Player can not be judged based on one bad season. I remember when I was in New Jersey, I would have conversations with Martin Brodeur and I would ask him “Does the Puck look like a Golf Ball or a Basketball today?” and he would tell me what it would look like after that game. Some games, He would tell me it would look like a Golf Ball and a Basketball the next few. You need to have faith in your players, if you don’t have faith in them because they had a bad year, you won’t get the most out of them.

He talked about the fact that in order for a team to win – it is like a pyramid – each piece supports one another.  If one part cracks, or crumbles, another piece is there to support the weight.  You need to have the right amount of chemistry and not only on the ice, but in the locker room as well.

He saw some of the plans for the new building at Belmont – and he is real pleased with how it is going to look, and knows that the players and the fans will love and embrace the new facility.

The Booster Club thanks Lou for coming to visit us.  We know that we believe in the three time Stanley Cup Champion manager, and knows he is doing what it takes to make the Islanders a strong entity once again.

 

Hi everybody!

Just an update on the trip planning for next season.

The Philadelphia trip will not be able to happen.  There were an extreme limited number of group tickets available (usually none are for a ‘holiday’ game – but the Flyers were nice to extend the invitation to us.)  However, I was just unable to ‘guarantee’ 55 tickets this early.

So now – Ottawa is in play.

Unlike previous trips to Ottawa, we will NOT be able to stay in Downtown.  Thanksgiving weekend is also the weekend for the Grey Cup – the Canadian Football League championship game (their version of the Super Bowl).  All the hotels in Downtown Ottawa are all booked up for the weekend.  So for this trip, we will be staying in Kanata, which is where the Senators play.  It is about 20 minutes west of the city.  There will be two Marriott hotels that will be available to us – and are about a 4 minute bus ride to the arena.  There is plenty of shopping and restaurants around the hotels, and both of them have nice amenities to enjoy, before we head to the game

As far as costs are concerned, these are approximates, as we are still waiting for the cost fot tickets.  For a Single, for the Bus ride, hotel and game ticket – it will be $335.  $260 for a double occupancy.  $235 for a triple.  The cost is based on a bus of 30 people.  Rebates will be realized if we get more than 30 people on the bus, so the more the merrier.

We will need to start to get commitments – as the club needs to send a deposit to the bus company, as well as start to get tickets.  Not only will we need for you to let us know – but we will need to get money.  You can mail it to the Booster Club address, of course; however, if your personal bank has the ability to send money to an e-mail address, you can send me the money directly to my e-mail (gharding14@gmail.com).  A deposit of $50 per person will be desired.  Also – you will need to be a member to attend this trip.  So if you have not re-joined, I am providing an application as well.

Of course, if you have any questions or comments, please let me know.  Thanks for the support.  And Let’s Go Islanders!

Thanks,

Gary Harding

Exec-Vice President – NYIBC

 

Well – it caught your attention….

On Saturday the 15th – the NYIBC had their annual get-together at Bethpage Ballpark – to watch our Long Island Ducks face another Atlantic League challenge.

As with our annual July event, it started with a All-You-Can-Eat picnic before the game began.  Over 50 represented the Blue and Orange on this evening.  This picnic, which happens before every Ducks home contest, is a real treat.  I highly recommend visiting it – the next time you are in a group outing (you need 50 or more in your group to go – and it is $35 a person – but it is totally well worth it).

Then – after filling ourselves with great food and conversation – it was to our seats to watch the game.  I am sure that you all have attended a Ducks game or two over the past 17 years.  It never ceases to be a great time.  The Ducks work the crowd, do lots of great promotions, have even more tasty treats available on the concourse, and are a great bang for the buck.

And of course – we get a shout out too….

As far as the ball game was concerned, the Ducks played a great game, defeating the Somerset Patriots, 7-4.  Dan Lyons hit a home run, and Rafael Perez struck out eight in six innings to get the victory.  After the game – as it is a Saturday tradition, fireworks lit up the Central Islip skies.  Win or lose, rain or shine, Saturday nights are special at Bethpage Ballpark.

The Booster Club is having one more outing to Bethpage Ballpark.  This game we do not do the picnic; it will be just the ticket and fireworks following the conclusion of the game.  The cost of these tickets is $15 a piece.  If you are interested, please e-mail Claire Harding, our club President (nyibcprez@gmail.com), and let her know.  We have to get the ticket request in by early August, so please get involved now.  Maybe, we will take a picture with YOU in it. (see below).  Hope to see you!