A Gaggle of Prospects Sign for Fans

Yep, the line was long. With a cluster of NY Islanders finest youngsters all in one place for a fan signing, these were the most ardent fans waiting patiently for autographs and to take advantage of the 25% off sale.

Long Island native Tony Romano arrived first and took his seat at the table behind his nameplate. He was taking it all in before the hard working Ann Rina brought the other players into the store. I was taking in the new merchandise.

It was an assembly line of sorts with the five good looking youngsters ready and waiting with Sharpies in hand.  Romano's dark hair made him stand out from the rest of the fair-haired young men in their team issued Polos.  Once things were rolling, Calvin De Haan admired his signature and quipped to Mikko Koskinen "Practice makes perfect, right?" 

Once the line was opened up to the fans waiting, I found it interesting that some were almost overwhelmed seeing so many of them lined up.  They didn't know what to do first.  But Ms. Rina, being an old pro at this sort of thing, quickly had things working in perfect order.  I stood back to hear some of the fan comments as they left the store with their new merchandise and signatures.

I actually chased this couple outside the store.  This is Mr. & Mrs. Burns, season ticket holders and (I'm happy to say) readers of mine.  Mrs. Burns was happy with the new draft hat that they all signed and "even spelled my name right."  Definitely not something that will be sold on eBay, but something to put in a personal collection to enjoy.

Evelyn Hamilton, season ticket holder since the 80s, comes out for all the events -- especially the sales!  She purchased one of the new patriotic t-shirts and had all five sign it.   It's a gift for the host of an Islander Party she's attending.  She bought one for her grand-daughter too who is also a season ticket holder.  Not sure who the Grabner Gremlin shirt was for though.  Lovely woman, dedicated fan.

I thought this was pretty cute.  I haven't grown up yet.  I still love toys.  This one is $11.95 and adorable.

While @Dan3boyz told me this is quite normal, I was amazed that this fan had all the boys -- sign the baby.  The little chubster will wear that autographed jersey for the next few months and then have something Mom & Dad can frame for him later in life.  Too cute.

Also too cute, the answers I got out of all five prospects to two simple questions. 

No, I didn’t write anything yesterday. Well, actually I did, but Blogger decided to wipe it out as it hit the preview button. Too late to start over, I ditched the entire effort.

So what happened yesterday? Well, the Ness Mess was finalized as Aaron Ness left the University of MN to sign an entry level agreement with the NY Islanders. Much had been said previously about it and everyone speculated the outcome. Seems Aaron was another NY Islander draftee that wasn’t developing the way they expected in that particular program. Kyle Okposo left midseason to join the Islanders after a messy PR was in the papers. At least Ness is leaving after the season. But if this keeps up, I’m thinking UM may never let another Islander draftee play for the Golden Gophers.

From the Islanders Official Press Release:

Ness, the Islanders second-round selection (40th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, signs after completing three seasons of collegiate hockey at the University of Minnesota. The 5’10”, 177-pound defenseman appeared in 35 games this season with the Golden Gophers, recording 14 points (two goals, 12 assists) and 41 penalty minutes

In comparison, Blake Kessel, attending UNH and playing for The Wildcats has 26 points in 36 games, 5 goals, 21 assists and 32 penalty minutes. But Blake is 6’2” and 205 lbs.

Ness will be practicing with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers today and get his first taste of “pro” life. I’m glad he’s heading to B-Port. Think of how well some of the Islanders other defensemen have turned out going through there. Although how many Travis Hamonics can we hope to find?

Of course the Mother in me worries that if this kid CAN'T make it in the NHL, what happens then? Well, I'm told he can always go BACK and finish college, but it takes a special kind of person to be able to do that. I wish him well.


In other news, Rick DiPietro was taken off the IR and Nate Lawson was returned to Bridgeport. Expect to see RDP in one of the back-to-back games this weekend. Personally I am VERY excited to see how the tandem of RDP and Big Al works out. These next 11 games will be a good indication of whether the two can share the net and the workload for next season.

Rick is 29 now and 6’1. Montoya is 26 and 6’2”. Both goalies are American and are similar in some ways. If they can get along in that locker room, the NY Islanders may have one a very interesting goalie situation next season with Kevin Poulin salivating on the side-lines waiting for one of them to hit the IR so he can get back into the NHL. Again, something we’ll have to play “wait & see.”

Okay, speaking of Bridgeport, if you haven’t been there you really should go. Check out StadiumJourney.com’s report on Harbor Yard. I think we can get the rating up. Because personally, I really love our sister arena. Intimate, family-friendly and affordable for a excellent hockey. Love it. Also check out StadiumJourney.com for information on any other arena or venue you may be visiting. Hey, Know before you GO, right?

More as it comes through “the Twitter” as Betty White says.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Hope some of you have your Islanders Green Player T’s on!

An "Aaron Ness" Mess?

Whoa! What did I miss yesterday on Twitter? You stick your nose in your computer for 8 hours straight working on finance and invoicing and you miss an entire College hockey drama.

Okay well Dom at Lighthouse Hockey had it covered here. But while the rumors were circulating, QuickFacts had a quote from agent Neil Sheehy on the situation which she put on Twitter.

Sheehy said to QF that reports by blogs or websites about Aaron Ness leaving for Islanders is "irresponsible journalism & a guess at best".

Ahh, okay. Just something to pass the time. However from all accounts by those who follow MN College hockey, survey says he should leave

Love this one, also from QuickFacts:

Aaron Ness was better as a freshman. That should tell you all you need to know about development of D at UMN.

Nothing out of the Islanders camp on the subject and rightly so. Last time GM Garth Snow said something about a college coach and a prized prospect out of Minnesota there was considerable ink lent to it along with debate.

Well, Guess we'll just have to see how this one plays out.