DRAFT DAY "FAN-ICIDE" AT THE COLISEUM

What sounded like gunshots rang out to the left of us last night at the Coliseum. One loud singular 'BANG.' It was just after the announcement that the Islanders had moved from their coveted #5 slot to take Toronto's #7.

One blog boxer quipped "Garth just shot himself." But we knew it was actually one of the fans. Because they were the ones feeling shock and confusion. The Islanders draft table was splashed across the jumbotron for all to see. And there was Garth on the phone, still wheeling and dealing. Charles Wang smiling like a Cheshire cat. Corey Witt standing, waiting for the instructions of which nameplate to pull out of that magic bag of tricks he protected with his life. And who is that sitting next to Garth? Chris Dey. Who by most accounts probably should have been at the Coliseum with the struggling sales staff. Where was our Coach, Ted Nolan? He was seated half way around the table. I don't think he could have heard anything from that place at the table. They must have been using hand signals.

Cliff Fletcher, who had looked nervous, (which is weird considering he looks like they just rolled him out of a coffin) made the motion and the Leafs took Luke Schenn. Again the Islander faithful in attendance who had been chanting names let out a painful moan.

Columbus drew at #6 and everyone sat on the edge of their seat. Nikita Filatov is now a Blue Jacket. Lucky Columbus.

As as the moment of truth drew closer and closer everyone let out one big painful yelp when it was once announced that the Islanders had chosen to move down yet two more places and draw at #9. What the heck was going on here? No one knew. Another loud bang was heard. The media group in our area began to think wonder if we should "duck and cover" as the crowd was getting ugly. No. Seriously... it was ugly. I thought they were going to rush the stage.

Number 8 was announced, but no one could hear over the clamouring of an angry mob of a fan base. Colin Wilson was now a Predator. The Great One took the stage. Mikkel Boedker to Phoenix. We crossed off the names on our yellow sheet. We waited to see what Garth & Company had in store for us. Would he move down again? No. We saw Corey was standing with a jersey in hand. Woo Hoo. He would indeed make his way to the podium.

As if in slow motion as every waited, the moment had arrived. And the moment was... Joshua Bailey. HUH? And then silence over the crowd. No one knew what to do. Then the thought came to them. Leave. And the stands emptied out as vulgarities flew. I was just grateful the vulgarities didn't come with soda bottles.

John Buccigross addressed what was left of the crowd and told them that Joshua Bailey would be on camera for a live interview so to PLEASE give him a warm Islander welcome. He was imploring those who were left. It's not the kid's fault. It's not even the Islanders' staff members' ,who should have been hiding in the locker room, fault.

The fault may lie in our own hope to believe what we hear from the machine. "We'll take the best available player at the time." We heard that for weeks. For all those that read only the headlines from NHL.com, those best available players were available and then gone.

The one pick multiplied into at least 4. But the ones that the fans had pinned their hopes on will all be cultivated by other teams. Now, of course we don't know yet what will come of those first 5, no 6, no EIGHT players that were chosen ahead of little Joshua Bailey. But I'm certain we will always remember the Draft of '08 as the night the fans roared.... in disbelief.

More later. I'm on travel Softball duty today.

Thanks to John Buccigross for graciously letting us interview him in the Zamboni tunnel. Real class act on his part. Failure to plan on ours.

Thanks to Dina for keeping me laughing. Thanks to the Blog Boxers who kept me safe and to Adam Baruch for living through his last official event as an Islander employee without breaking into maniacal laughter.

Later all.

'Twas the Night Before Draft Day 2008

This is the first NHL Draft Day that I'm actually looking forward to, and all for personal reasons. Sure, sure, the June NHL event gives us puck junkies something relatively small to look forward to along with beaches and bar-b-ques. But I never really paid that much attention to it before. Ok, yes, the Sidney Crosby sweepstakes made me sit up and take notice. But other than that, nothing. No recollections of anything even remotely draft related.

But as I sit here polishing my nails bright orange to match my shoes for tomorrow, I have to admit I have butterflies. Maybe not the size of Mothra as my blog box buddies Mike and Tom have as they try to get some sleep before the early flight out tomorrow to Ottawa, but I've got little half-dollar size butterflies inside me.

Am I worried about what Garth Snow will do with our coveted #5 draft pick? Is that what has me jumpy? Um, No. Although, Note to Garth: Please make us proud. That's all I ask. Pull a controversial rabbit out of your hat and I don't even want to read the headlines on Saturday morning in the trades.

Is the whole Friday night in June back at the Coliseum making me giddy with anticipation? Not quite. I'm going to be very happy to see some of my friends, but that's not what's making my palms sweat.

Nope. Two words have me stuttering: John Buccigross. I know. He's just another sports guy who you either love or hate. But in the last five years, I've come to really appreciate his writing style, his humor and his insight. I'm sure he'll enjoy those kind words when I tell him I've never actually SEEN him on ESPN. Nope. To me he's not an on-air personality, he's just another writer.

Writing is such a solitary task. You find yourself secluded so often, locked away from the rest of the world. Just you, your computer and your thoughts. But I always found it fascinating that if I would sit at the table late on a Saturday night, waiting for Big Angry Man to return from a fire call, reading one of Bucci's ESPN entries, I'd be compelled to email him. Heck, he puts his email address at the bottom of every column. I'd dash out a quick email telling him how I felt about the entry and within a few minutes, "You've Got Mail" would announce a response. I'd melt.

In five years, he's never ignored a note from me. To me, that means everything. In this day and age of BlackBerry immediacy, I am seriously disappointed when one of my notes of encouragement and gratitude go unanswered. Luckily, those who do not respond are few and far between. (Some who DON'T respond to me are actually far closer in my cosmic circle!)

Most of the time I forget that email goes straight to that little mobile device, and I'm stunned with the quickness of the response. I've had on air personalities respond during commercial breaks as I'm watching them. That sort of immediacy is completely unnecessary, and somewhat shocking. But, that's the way they are. Gracious, kind and accomodating.

So tomorrow night I will finally get to actually meet one of my media pen-pals. I just hope I don't puke on my shoes.

I'd like to also send out my best regards and a "thank you" to Chris Botta for his latest blog entry about his past draft day recollections. I had a little pointed discussion on Tuesday about Sean Bergenheim being forgotten as one of the Islanders first rounders, but CB has a steel vault of a memory and a flair for storytelling that captures his audience and makes them wish he'd keep talking. His entries are always entertaining, always insightful and sometimes heartbreaking. His latest falls into all three categories.

It's late. I should get some rest. Tomorrow's a big day and I'm typing hoping I don't chip the polish, because truthfully... I usually never paint my nails. But hey... It's a BIG day tomorrow!!

Islanders Illustrated on MSG Plus Premier 6-18-08

Shaky called him “Hollywood.” He may be living up to the name as Josh Bernstein and his staff have just finalized the first installment of Islanders Illustrated TV production, a slick ½ hour news and entertainment gem premiering tomorrow night at 6:30 pm on MSG Plus.

On Tuesday morning, at a Lowe’s theater, a group of Islanders’ staffers and a handful of guests were witness to the “world premier” of show number 1 of probably 18, or 24 if they make the playoffs next season. “Where are the sponsorship guys who are supposed to be selling this show?” asked Chris Dey as he surveyed the room. But then he smiled as I think he was just trying to rattle Josh just a little.

When the ITV staff was established, they probably never thought they’d be producing a full blown TV show. But as Josh said “We can, we did, and we will continue to.” The finished product is far better than MSG standards and they’re very excited about it. (We’ll see.)

Shawna Ryan is the host of the show, conducting certain interviews and introducing segments. I can’t tell you anything about her because I don’t have a face book account. She’s blonde, she’s pretty, and she’s a cross between a reporter and a flight attendant. She’s perfect for the gig.

The show that airs tomorrow covers the draft possibilities, the year in review and the I.C.E. tour. Steve Mears hosts a spot with Bill Jaffe and Chris King where Billy was clearly on fire discussing what he believe the direction for the team next season should be. Garth, take note as it was a lot of fun to watch.

Some of the content has been stolen from previous ITV productions, but not much of it. If Bernstein doesn’t garner another Emmy for this series, Billy Guerin just may. He’s quite the actor. There is also the Hungry, Hungry Hippos Two Man Advantage segment with Kyle Okposo, Blake Comeau and Jeff Tambellini which will give you a few laughs and a little bit of insight into Kyle.

But the draft day segment that everyone is looking for right now with Friday fast approaching basically recaps what we already know. Ms. Ryan conducts a brief interview with Garth Snow regarding his thoughts on this year’s draft and his memory of last season’s. There’s some combine footage of the draftees that is always good for a girlish giggle. But what will bring a tear to any die hard Islander fan’s eye is the year in retrospect which relived all the great moments (and yeah… there were a FEW) from last season.

The look and feel of the show is very youthful with its stencil lettering font, splashes of color and almost comic book graphics. For the rabid internet fans, there is even an IslanderMania Minute from their “official message board” which literally is a minute. If you blink, you may miss it.

All in all, it’s a good production from a really great staff. Check it out, but don’t forget that for all your Islanders draft day coverage for Friday and Saturday, it’s ITV on the web all the way. Also check out Islesblogger.com and TigerTracks as Mike and Tom will be on the floor in Ottawa with their first hand accounts of the day. The rest of us Blog Box bunch will be at the draft party or live blogging, so you never know what tidbits we may come up with.

So congratulations “Hollywood” on a job well done.

2 Minute Minor: Actually more like 12 minutes as those in attendance had to actually sit through SIX movie previews. The Love Guru, Rocker, Wanted, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Hancock and Step Brothers. Now I know why I don’t go to the movies.