Ice & Snow in July 7-26-08

I can’t tell you how much I needed today. No, seriously. I’ve talked about it for three days. Just the simple thought of having a morning to myself, to do something for me just about made me weepy. OK, I cry easy, but that’s not the point.
I don’t get to skate nearly enough. I have no one to go with except my friend Wendy. My daughter is no longer interested in it, and when I’m vacationing in NH, my husband drops me at the local rink and leaves. The fondest memories I will take to my grave are skating on an outdoor rink on New Year’s Eve morning’s in North Conway NH, just Wendy and I and our families huddled against the boards with coffee trying to stay warm. The cold, the sound of the steel on ice, it soothes me like nothing else.
When I saw that there was an open skate from 11 am - 12 pm at Ice Works today for an Islander event, I knew I was “IN.” The skates came out of the garage and the fleece came out of the back of the closet.
I called Islesblogger.com Mike S. “Mikey!! Come skate with me! Please!” (I have an ulterior motive. He’s a center. I need lessons on rudimentary skating.)
“Okay Dee, but I think I may have to work. But I’ll see what I can do.”
I called IslanderQueen. “Vicki! Please, come skate with me! Please!”
“I don’t have skates.”
“You can wear Kira’s. They’re brand new. Just please come with me!” I was pleading like a 2 year-old, even though I knew I’d go anyway even if no one else did.
“I don’t skate Dee.” She said on the phone.
“It doesn’t matter. They’re hockey skates. You can’t fall off them. I promise.” I assured her.
That’s why I don’t have figure skates. When I started skating again, the 18 year-old at Play It Again Sports convinced me that if I wasn’t really a skater, I should go for hockey skates. No triple Lutz out of this chubby chick, so beat up hockey skates turned in by a high school star on the Kennett Eagles for $25 were just my speed.
“Sharpen them and lace ‘em up. I’ll take ‘em!” I told him.
He looked at me cross eyed. “You’re taking them?”
“Yep.” Of course, my daughter had to have brand new whatever’s at $90. She’s worn them 3 times. But I won’t give up my horrible Black Bauer’s. I don’t fall. I get on the ice and I just plant myself there. You have to PUSH off just to get moving. I love them.
So here we were, playing Marco Polo Cell Phone in the Ice Works parking lot as there were no spaces to be had. “I’m on a side street!” “No, I’m by the train.” “Wait, I have to move, a truck almost hit me.” “Can I park here? It says Tow-Away Zone.” “DAMN!!! Where did all these PEOPLE come from??”
Yeah. No one pays attention to Hockey in July on Long Island. Please show me the skeptic that thinks THAT, and let HIM find me a parking space. I parked around back, and asked the loading dock kids from the neighboring company to PLEASE not tow my car.
The inflatables were up, there were tables and chairs set up for a bar-b-que lunch, and the RV was there. IslanderQueen and I had to fill out a form to “register” which made us laugh hysterically. “What? Don’t you KNOW who we are???”
Um. He was new. NO, he didn’t. We filled out the forms, took our orange bracelets and went inside.
Okay. So When they said “Open Skate” 11 - 12, I was hoping it would be just adults, because the kids had TWO sessions afterward. Sadly, all the little rug rats in their jerseys and hockey gear were out on the ice with us, basically…. Making us look bad.
There was also one teen-age boy that I wanted to just beat into the boards because he was skating so fast and weaving in and out so fast all while skating in shorts, a tee-shirt and an iPod. I hope you had blisters young man. You annoyed me.
I was beyond happy to see none other than our own Steve Mears out on the ice skating with John Chabot. Steve is not only a great announcer, but he’s a damn good skater. (He’s also adorable, approachable and just about one of the nicest guys you could want to meet. Someone tell this boy he‘s been on TV and give him an ego. Wait… No… Forget that.)
He skated over to me (as there was no way in hell I was catching up to him.) “Come’ on Dee! Wanna drop the gloves?” I laughed and said “Sure!” and pretended to Mother slap him upside the head. More motion than that would have caused me to fall on my butt.
We chatted and skated in a circle, which is about my speed actually. IQ did very, very well. She never fell, kept up pace and only got nervous when the little ones tried to skate around her which caused ME to scream which could be heard… probably at the Coliseum.
Then there was our own GM, Garth Snow who brought his 3 year old son to attend this event with him. Let me be a mother for a few minutes instead of a fan.
Oh My God, this is the cutest, sweetest little boy!!! Quiet, smiling and friendly. You could just eat him up. Having just the 13 year old, I forget how amazing children are when they’re that young. The smile, the blue eyes under the dark helmet and the tenaciousness on the ice just melted my heart. Where was Daddy? With a watchful eye but 15 feet away.
I was a mess as I watched this little darling skate in inches along the boards. “Go get him!!!” I said
“I’m right here. He sees me. He knows where I am. I bring him here to toughen him up.” Garth never took his eyes off his son, but was indeed giving him space. I, as a mother, was dying as I saw this darling pout because he couldn’t catch up to Daddy fast enough. I wanted to go back and get him, but fought the urge and skated on to meet IQ who somehow managed to skate and text on her phone.
My phone, my camera and everything I owned was basically up on top of the soda machine. I didn’t care. I was on the ice.
I skated around and back to Mr. Snow figuring I should ask him something poignant since, well, I’m one of the bloggers, right?
“So, Garth… How did you manage to make Sean sign a contract?” What did you think I was going to ask him?
“It was easy…. Once the obstacle was removed.” And that would be Mark Gandler. Like he needed to tell me that? NO. “I knew that would make you happy, Dee.” he smiled.
Happy? Happy? The only thing that would make me happier is if Toronto bought out Blake and somehow he managed to bring him back to the Uniondale ice too. OK, that’s a personal fantasy, but hell, it was a good day.
Noon came way too quickly and it was time for us to get off the ice so that the kids could get on. IQ and I changed out of our skates in a corner and I watched Mr. Snow take his son to the concession stand.
“This is his favorite part of the day…. A warm pretzel.” He looked up and smiled. In 15 years, this kid is going to break a lot of hearts.
We were standing by the soda machine and all of a sudden Snow, still in his skates looked down at me… “Dee… Did you just get … SHORTER?” Very observant Mr. Snow.
I was now in flip flops, he was still in skates, and I’m all of 5’1”. He’s got the Big Angry Man’s height and sense of humor. Meaning, it’s at my expense. I just rolled my eyes and left.
As IQ and I left IceWorks, there were so many people on line for the bar-b-que and for the inflatables. I stopped and smiled.
Yeah… Let the Canadian Media tell me AGAIN that Hockey shouldn’t’ be on Long Island. Go ahead. And I’ll show you pictures of the happiest kids in the world on a July morning dressed in full hockey gear. Long Island IS a Hockey market and the ISLANDERS… well… They’re OUR team! Because no matter WHAT… We ARE ALL ISLANDERS!

Gervais Stays an Islander 7-25-08

How sad that I had to find out this great news first thing on my NYIC message board. I would love to be able to wake up and find such happy news in my own email inbox. But once again, I’m left to find out from other NYIC members with insomnia who post during the wee hours of the morning.

I’m very happy that Garth managed to lock Bruno up for an amicable 3 year contract. Bruno is one of those young players who has ingratiated himself to the fans, the media, and anyone who has the pleasure of meeting him.

Drafted in 2003 in the 6th round at the tender age of 18, I remember when he first played on the Sound Tigers during the ‘04 season. He was nothing more than a boy who looked even younger than he actually was. Thin and pale with pout-y lips and wide eyes. His English wasn’t the best, but he was a striking presence on the ice for such a young player. But whenever I’d see him in street clothes, I’d always comment, “Someone please feed that boy. He needs a cheeseburger.”

But teenagers are deceptively strong, and that was Bruno. Bridgeport was his training ground even though he played only 55 games with them. But then he made his way up to Uniondale, still basically just a kid. He started to grow into his body, and his English improved and his personality began to shine.

A quick witted comedian with a charming smile, he quickly became a favorite of ITV. So much so that Josh Bernstein and his ITV staff named what became an annual award after him for the player “Most Appreciated By Islanders TV.” The award is called the “Bruno” as it was first presented to Gervais. In 2008, it was presented to Brendan Witt by Steve Mears. Witter was surprised that it was an ACTUAL award, engraved and everything!

Gervais not only offers so much on the ice to his team mates, but so much to the Long Island community. We always talk about “home grown” talent. Well, Gervais may have been born and raised in Longueuil, QC, Canada, but he has grown into a man within the Islanders organization. We’re lucky to have him, and I’m sure Chris Campoli is a happy man today too. They worked so perfectly together on the ice, they never had to wonder where the other one was. When injuries began to plague them, you could see the loss.

So Welcome Home Bruno, glad to have you. And as I said when the Blog Box had the pleasure of interviewing you last season… with that accent, you could read me a cereal box and I’ll pay very, very close attention.

Prospect Camp Part 2: Adam's notebook

Ever have those days that you’re running to stand still? Well, that would be me this week. That’s why I don’t like taking vacations. When I take a few days off, my work load increases to a point where I can’t catch up. Then there’s the house and now my writing. Too bad the writing is the only thing I actually WANT to do, but will have to squeeze into tight spaces.
So here is the balance of the Prospect Camp notes from our “Man at the Rink,” Adam from the NYIBC.


Because “My Friend” from Islander Mania (IM) seems to always be available for these things, he was surrounded by players. Martin, Trivino, and DiBenedetto were inquiring about the message board. They looked through different threads including the prospect section. They were told they could join and remain anonymous if they desired to read the boards after they leave camp. (*Note: It’s usually the younger guys who do read the boards religiously when they have time. But I’m still amazed at the number of NHL players who steer clear of them.)

Bailey came by later and took a look at IM too. He was thrilled to learn that he was on the front page and not the prospects section. Martin came back and ribbed Bailey about it, but said if Bailey makes the team he would be ok with the front page status. We showed Martin ITV because he had just been interviewed and was interested in what that was. When we were showing him ITV, Wrecker came over and watched a little. He will be trying to watch more later today.

We browsed the Net to the Mark Katic Fan Club site and viewed an interesting picture of Matt. You'll have to find that on your own. (*Damn Adam… Someone better find me a link!!)

Tyrell Mason:
Being his third year, he was able to come into camp knowing exactly what to expect. “It is nice to come in because it is fun atmosphere and a place to learn and absorb as much as possible from all the different events and meetings.” He always likes to meet the new guys coming in as well.

Asked what he likes most about Long Island, he answered “the weather.” They have gone to Yankee Stadium every year. He said even though he is not a baseball fan, since he is from northern British Columbia, it is like watching a movie to see a game there. And is always impressed with the atmosphere. The prospects do not get to go into Manhattan much during camp, but they did take a ferry on the East River one year to see the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and the skyline.

His dad was a big Oilers fan back in the day, but was impressed and excited to hear about the fact that Tyrell was able to meet and talk to the Isles greats. (*Okay, who wouldn’t be?)

Since it's his third year, more fans recognize him and ask for autographs. He wanted to thank the fans for coming out and showing their support, and he hopes to be on Long Island soon!

Jared Spurgeon:

He said it is good to get on the ice and work out, but it is tiring after the whole days events. (*Take some vitamins kid, you’re going to need them.)

Trotts and Morrow have been giving the guys a lot of good advice and telling them stories. They brought their rings (11) and the gold medal one day. Jared said all the young guys were awed and inspired.

He said the paintball excursion with Newsday’s Jim Baumbach was fun but painful. Since he is not easily recognized, he didn’t have much interaction with the fans.I asked him what he thinks he needs to work on. Interestingly he said he wasn’t sure since he has not had his team's final meeting for the season to get feedback from his coaches. But of course he hopes to see everyone soon.

Dustin Kohn:
Dustin said he loves that the team is located (very near the city) as it is his favorite thing about the Long Island. (*Um, we’ll fix that.) He said the fans have treated him well during the week, and he loved hearing all the stories and being able to be in the presence of the cup rings, but was very intimated last year meeting Trotts for the first time.

Also a little more from Matt Martin.
I asked him what number he wears in Sarnia. He said 17 and tried to play it off as if it had no meaning, but he finally admitted it's his mother's birthday. He also wishes the camp was longer as he was having a great time.

The prospect camp is a great thing for fans and players alike. It brings us back to the ice, and the boys a little closer to their fan base. I think Martin is right… Maybe it should be a TWO week stint. But I’m just being greedy.

Thanks again to Adam for the great notes from camp. Check the NYIC message board too for some great photos from Carbons2K.
Next up for me… uh… work. DRAT!

We Interrupt This Blog...

To bring you an unusual commentary.
As I left the hotel in PA this morning, I grabbed the complimentary USA Today that was slipped under my door with the bill for almost $600. I only read USA Today when I’m traveling. It’s not a paper I seek out, but if they hand it to me, I’ll read it.
Somewhere stuck in traffic on I-83, I began to read a commentary by Mike Lopresti called “An Afghan’s Olympic joy turns to Pain.” It’s a very short commentary about three young women from Afghanistan who were nothing more than teenagers when they competed in Athens in 2004. They were the first women from that war torn country to compete and they did it for themselves, women and their country. The best quote I could take from this USA Today article is “This is important,” Robina Muqimyar, the track sprinter, said back then. “The women of Afghanistan will know they can do anything if there is hope in the heart.”
That’s a beautiful sentiment isn’t it? Considering that the three young women who made up that group of hopeful Olympians in 2004 were not much older than my daughter and her friends, who just walked away with 2nd place of 24 14U teams in PA this weekend, I couldn’t help but be overcome with emotion for them.
It seems that since Athens, these girls have been ridiculed, threatened, beaten and one has actually had to go into hiding. Mehboba Ahdyar, at only 19, was the last women left on the Afghan Olympic team, and she has disappeared. She has just vanished while training in Italy in July.
Three women, girls really, tried to promote a better world, but they cannot fight religious militants and extremists and their death threats. To beat a teenage girl because she wants to be an athlete and compete on a world stage should be inexcusable in any culture or religion. What are they beating out of this girl? Only her spirit to succeed.
I think of my daughter, I think of the mothers of these girls in Afghanistan and I think of our own NYIC member, DannyB stationed to police their border, and I cry. Sports are the one thing that are supposed to bring the world together. That’s the purpose of the Olympics. Those three teenage girls knew that in Athens in 2004. They swallowed their fears and competed.
But this year, in Beijing, it may be more about politics and terrorism than it is about our common human bonds. I am worried. I am worried for one of our Softball Moms, a woman I have come to know and call friend; a prominent sports editor who will be stationed in Beijing for almost 3 weeks. I know she will be thinking of her daughter too while she watches so many other young girls compete for a medal. But she won’t see Mehboba Ahdyar standing on the track with the other young women from so many other countries. And that has to break any mother’s heart.

Notes from Rookie Camp

As a special feature, Adam from the Booster Club was kind enough to send me his interviews with some of our prospects from the mini-camp at Ice works. So here are his notes (with a few comments from me!)

There will be more to come, but again.... Softball duty for one more day and then it's nothing but hockey for me! Woo hoo!!!

So enjoy some first hand accounts from the Man At the Rink, Adam:

Spoke to Blake Kessel on Tuesday at camp:I asked him if there was anything he wanted to say to the fans out there.Blake: " Thanks for coming out to support us. It's to see the everyone is supporting the team."Blake said he was surprised and happy with the high turnout. He wants everyone to keep coming out to support the other young guys because it's important for them to see the fan base is supportive of them. (*Especially considering how often Long Island gets such a bump rap as such a small fan base.)
Josh Bailey also from Tuesday.He said he's having a great time, and it was good to get the first practice in yesterday.
He said the fans have been awesome and likes to help everyone out with pictures and autographs. He said the support has been great and is excited to be a part of the organization. He was also very impressed with the turnout and hopes it continues. (*We really do have to show these kids how avid we are about out hockey!)He has not seen much of the area yet, but is hoping to see as much as possible this week. (Oh, I’m sure there are a few young ladies that would LOVE to show them around.)He said its great to be able to work with Trottier and seeing all the history and has much respect for it.He also said he is going to be on a line with Okposo during the games and is rooming with him as well. He added it's nice that Kyle is only a year older than he and that they have a good relationship already.Of course he is hoping to make the team this season, but he doesn't seem to have unrealistic expectations.

Some observances I had of Josh Bailey - He was very modest, but accepted the compliment ("You MUST be a great player as well, because coaches put great players together with other great players." said by someone next to me at the camp) when it was put out there. If having a good head on your shoulders translates well to hockey sense, Bailey really should have tons of it. He is really going to be a huge favorite with the fans as they get to meet him.He also seemed very concerned about the fan reaction he heard about during the draft, but it seemed to relieve him to find out that the fans were happy to have him in our system. (Welcome to NY kid. We’d boo Santa Claus if we had to, but then be happy with him when we open our presents. It’s just who we are.)

Ken Morrow from Weds. He said it is great to be able to get out there and meet the kids and teach and mentor them. He said it was his first time meeting them and the kids are really listening and absorbing all they can this week with him and Trotts.

Mark Katic:
He said it helps that it’s his second year at camp because he can concentrate more easily on working on his on ice form rather than calming his nerves and getting acquainted. I asked him to describe the beep test they did on Tuesday. He said they had to run from one line to the other before a stereo sounded a beep. It would get faster every time, and if you missed one you had to do make-up time. (Mascara anyone?) I asked if was a competition type of thing, but he said it was mostly for evaluation more than likely stamina related. He is expecting to go back to Sarnia next season. He thinks it will be a difficult season for them losing Stamkos among others including possibly DiBenedetto.

Katic has a small tattoo of a Latin phrase on his left arm; it means "fighters best goals" relating to when facing adversity, fighters have the ability to overcome. (Nice tat! We may need you!)Asked what he liked about Long Island, he responded “the diversity of food and culture in the area.” He also likes the closeness of “The City” to Long Island, but that it still retains much of the small community feel. He claims there's a ton things to do, but someone at the table tried to shoot that down. (Again… we’ve got lots of people willing to show these boys around!)

Finally someone asked him about the Mark Katic Fan Club. He laughed when we mentioned it and said it all started when he and Stamkos were sitting around watching TV one night. Stamkos felt it would be something fun to do and did it. Mark said Stamkos are known for doing things like that, just being goofy.

Matt Martin:
He said it felt good to out there on the ice. He had high praises for Comeau and Okposo and said they were very helpful with everyone out there. Asked if he was able to play his game. He said not too much since the camp is designed to be more about conditioning than anything else. As an aside, there was a lot more hitting on Wed then previous days.Asked about his role on the Stamkos line, and specifically about a fight he received a suspension for “..it was after the game when someone was taking a shot or two at Stamkos.” He stepped in and initiated to help defend Steve. You could tell he was a little peeved about it, but seemed to take it in stride now.

I asked him about how his coaches felt about his fighting this season. He said being moved up to the first line, the coaches gave him less leeway with the fighting because his role now was more skill-oriented, but that he never passed up an opportunity to defend his teammates and sometimes provide energy.I asked him too about the Mark Katic Fan Club and he laughed, but did admit to being a member.

Justin DiBenedetto:
Which completes the drafted Sarnia players. He also stressed that having players he knew at camp helped him to focus better. He found the first scrimmage to be a high paced workout after the slow summer off.He is not sure what he will be doing next season since he is eligible to leave Juniors, but could return if he wants. It will be a day to day decision.Like everyone before him, he was impressed with the turn out at Ice Works and found the fan base to be very supportive. He has not been mobbed as much as other players but does sign some autographs and takes some pictures.He talked about learning from Trottier and Morrow and is thrilled to be able to learn from them.

Joel Rechlicz:
First I asked him why he thinks the enforcers seem to be not only the most liked by the fans, but the nicest people with fans. He said some of it comes from the tough road they travel to get to each level in the new hockey environment. A lot of it comes from the “code” and having respect for the other players off the ice. Knowing what happens on the ice tends to stay on the ice. This further translates to having respect for the fans. Some of it comes from the fact that the fighting is an energizer to both the crowd and the team. He also stated that the ice is like a sanctuary. To which I replied, does that mean fighting is like therapy? He laughed at that and shook his head yes.His first fight was with Jon Mirasty (Columbus Blue Jackets system) that he claims he lost; I certainly was not going to debate. After the fight, he said he earned a lot of respect from Mirasty.

Joel stated that is was quite an honor to be out there with Morrow and Trotts. We joked around a little about all the banners on the ceiling and that the franchise has some sort of history. Little did he know. ;)All of the guys were great to us and very happy to share their thoughts and give fans some insight into their personalities. If nothing else, we can always claim the Isles have some of the highest character guys in the league.

More from camp maybe tomorrow!