The Tiger Track

Gretzky should be jealous

2010-03-10T09:37:00.002-05:00

I always knew the Isles signed an accomplished scorer when Doug Weight came on board.

Hey VS., I think you forgot a number...

Bridgeport moves

2010-03-02T15:53:00.002-05:00

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers have announced ~~two~~ three additional moves:

--Dustin Kohn has been recalled to the New York Islanders This is due to the Sutton deal...

--Sound Tigers have also acquired center Mike Radja from the Syracuse Crunch as part of the Dylan Reese-Greg Moore deal. In 31 games with Syracuse, Radja compiled seven goals and seven assists for 14 points.

--Brett Westgarth has been traded to the Worchester Sharks for future considerations. The former Sound Tigers defenseman will rejoin the team he skated with last year, where he scored two goals and seven assists, with 137 penalty minutes last season. Westgarth had three goals and five assists this season with the Sound Tigers.

Sutton Traded to Ottawa

2010-03-02T14:21:00.002-05:00

Nothing you probably haven't heard earlier, but like I said earlier, yesterday's deal for Dylan Reese paved the way for Andy Sutton to be traded.

And just like that, Sutton has shipped off to Ottawa.

The Islanders received a second round pick from the Senators, which was originally that of the San Jose Sharks, which would place them in the #50-60 range. With the normal asking price for defensemen right now to be a second round pick, this trade does not really surprise this writer.

A co-worker of mine was a little bothered that the Islanders didn't get any actual bodies in exchange for the big man, to which I say, "the deadline isn't over yet."

Reese pieces way for Sutton deal

2010-03-01T21:30:00.007-05:00

Last night the Bridgeport Sound Tigers announced a minor deal with the Syracuse Crunch, in which Bridgeport acquired defenseman Dylan Reese in exchange for center Greg Moore.

Moore, in his first season with the Sound Tigers, had put up respectable numbers scoring 14 goals, 17 assists for 31 points in 62 games. However, he was destined to stay in Bridgeport and a move elsewhere was probably best for him.

To the casual fan this trade probably comes in the "who cares?" variety, but to the keen hockey blogger, there's more than meets the eye.

With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, the Islanders have very little assets that could deem movable prior to 3 pm on March 3. However, one name that has come up many times is that of defenseman Andy Sutton.

Sutton could be a valuable presence on the blueline for any playoff team come April, and with this year being the final year of the 6-4 defenseman's three-year contract, why not move him for something?

The way I see it, Bridgeport's blue line is a little thin right now. That's not to take away from the Mark Wotton's, the Jon Gleed's and Brett Westgarth's over there, but in terms of the organization as a whole, there needs to be more coming from the back line.

Plus, with the rise of Dustin Kohn's stock and him getting valuable playing time in the NHL this season, I think the Islanders are pretty confident in his ability to play on the big stage.

Hence, trade Sutton, bring Kohn back up, have Reese replace Kohn in Bridgeport.

Make sense? Possibly, or else I wouldn't waste my time with thinking of this crazy scheme!

What do you think?

BEARS 9, SOUND TIGERS 2

2010-02-27T21:56:00.002-05:00

Sound Tigers Official Site

By Tom Liodice

Mathieu Perreault potted four goals while the Hershey Bears scored five times in the first period as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers fell to the defending Calder Cup champions, 9-2 at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Perreault got the Bears on the board first just 1:44 into the opening period with his 11th goal of the year. Perrault happened to be in the right place at the right time, as he corralled a quick rebound off a Chris Bourque shot, and put the puck past Sound TIgers goaltender Nathan Lawson for the quick 1-0 Hershey lead.

Matt Martin quickly answered for the Sound Tigers just 2:16 later with Bridgeport on the penalty kill. With Mark Flood in the penalty box serving a holding penalty, Martin quickly capitalized on a Bears turnover at the Bridgeport blue line and led a rush with Tyler Haskins down the ice. With just one Bear back, Martin did all the work skating down ice to the left of Hershey goaltender Braden Holtby and fired a hard wrist shot past the Bears netminder to even things up at 1-1.

Keith Aucoin however gave the Bears their one-goal lead right back with 9:08 left in the first period. The fire-power line of Andrew Gordon-Keith Aucoin-Alexandre Giroux, which boasts three 20-goal scorers, led a three-on-two rush into the Bridgeport zone. Gordon fired a cross-ice pass to Giroux, who then led Aucoin with a short lead pass. Aucoin, who was falling to the ice, managed to get a shot off which found its way past Lawson and over the goal line for the 2-1 Hershey lead.

That same line struck again just almost four minutes later with Gordon's 28th of the year to put the Bears up 3-1 in the opening period. Giroux fired a cross ice pass towards Gordon, who shot a high wrist shot over Lawson to put the Bears up by two.

Perreault put the Bears up by three goals in the first period just 1:42 following Gordon's marker. Perreault got his stick on a Bourque slapshot from just in front of the Sound Tigers blueline, to change the puck’s direction past Lawson for his second goal of the game and a Hershey 4-1 lead.

Giroux increased Hershey's lead to 5-1 in the first period on the power play with 33 seconds left in the period. With Jon Gleed in the penalty box for delay of game, Giroux was the recipient of a healthy bounce off the end boards coming from a Bourque slapshot. With Lawson sprawled on the ice from Bourque’s shot, Giroux potted the puck into the open cage for his 30th of the year.

The five-goal first period was more than enough for Sound Tigers head coach Jack Capuano, as goaltender Scott Munroe took over for Lawson at the start of the second period.

Perreault completed the hat trick 6:20 into the second period on a penalty shot to give Hershey a five-goal lead. He would then add his fourth of the game with 10:04 left in the second period from right in front of Munroe.

Bourque and Gordon would add additional second period goals for the Bears to give Hershey a 9-1 lead.

Jeremy Reich added a late second period goal with 1.9 seconds left in the second period with his fourth goal of the season. Reich tipped a Sean Bentivoglio centering pass over Holtby to cut the Bears lead to 9-2 before the end of the second period.

Reich's goal was his second in as many games for the Sound Tigers.

The loss brings Bridgeport's overall record to 27-26-3-6, and 11-14-3-3 on the road. Both teams will meet again as they finish out their season series on Tuesday night at the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport.

Three Stars of the Game:
1. Mathieu Perreault, HER: Four goals, +5
2. Steve Pinizzotto, HER: Four assists, +4
3. Chris Bourque, HER: Goal, three assists, +3

Slapshots: Hershey outshot the Sound Tigers, 50-24...The Bears were 1-5 on the power play, while the Sound Tigers were unsuccessful on one opportunity...Hershey’s nine goals sets a new Sound Tigers team record for most goals against.

SOUND TIGERS

Forwards
23 Trevor Smith - 20 Greg Mauldin - 6 Jesse Joensuu
14 Sean Bentivoglio - 17 Jeremy Reich - 15 Greg Moore
16 Tomas Marcinko - 18 Micheal Haley - 7 Robin Figren
9 Justin DiBenedetto - 10 Tyler Haskins - 27 Matt Martin

Defensemen
4 Mark Wotton - 22 Anton Klementyev
12 Mark Flood - 32 Brendan Witt
24 Brett Westgarth - 26 Jon Gleed

Goaltenders
52 Nathan Lawson
33 Scott Munroe

HERSHEY BEARS

Forwards
10 Andrew Gordon - 11 Ketih Aucoin - 12 Alexandre Giroux
17 Chris Bourque - 24 Mathieu Perreault - 13 Steve Pinizzotto
18 Kyle Wilson - 36 Oskar Osala - 26 Quintin Laing
28 Boyd Kane - 21 Jay Beagle - 23 Andrew Joudrey

Defensemen
4 John Carlson - 7 Karl Alzner
20 Bryan Helmer - 32 Greg Amadio
5 Tyler Sloan - 25 Zach Miskovic

Goaltenders
1 Braden Holtby
35 Jason Bacashihua

HEAT 3, SOUND TIGERS 2

2010-02-25T10:06:00.003-05:00

Sound Tigers Official Site

By Tom Liodice

Jeremy Reich and Mark Flood scored goals for Bridgeport, but it wasn't enough as the Abbotsford Heat defeated the Sound Tigers, 3-2 at Arena at Harbor Yard.

With the game even at two goals apiece in the third period Keith Seabrook's ninth goal of the season on the power play gave the Heat a 3-2 lead, and it would end up being the game winning goal.

With Tyler Haskins in the penalty box serving a high sticking penalty, the streaking Abbotsford power play took to work. Seabrook reared back and fired a hard slap shot from the top of the left faceoff circle. With five bodies in front of Bridgeport goaltender Scott Munroe blocking his line of sight, the Sound Tigers goaltender failed to see the Seabrook shot as the puck found its way to the back of the net for the 3-2 Heat lead.

Seabrook was also the third period hero for the Heat just four nights ago on February 20 when Abbotsford shutout the Sound Tigers, 1-0.

Haskins tried valiantly to even things up with three minutes left in the game. The Ohio native skated down the right wing deep into the Abbotsford zone towards goaltender David Schantz. He managed to sneak his way behind the Heat defense and cut across the goal crease, drawing Shantz down to the ice. But the sprawling Abbotsford netminder stretched his glove out across the goal line and denied Haskins and the Sound Tigers to send the game to overtime.

Jeremy Reich got the Sound Tigers on the board first just 8:54 into the opening period on the power play with his third marker of the season. With Olivier Lantendresse in the penalty box serving a hooking minor, the Sound Tigers peppered Shantz with numerous attempts to no avail. However, their final attempt with the man advantage made its way over the goal line.

Mark Wotton fired a shot from the blue line that managed to sneak through a maze of bodies to Shantz. Jesse Joensuu happened to be one of those bodies, who was able to get the rebound on Shantz. Shantz turned aside Joensuu’s attempt, however the rebound landed on Reich’s stick, who potted the puck into the open cage for the 1-0 Sound Tigers lead.

The Sound Tigers and Heat combined for 96 penalty minutes when both teams met four nights ago, and this game exhibited more carry-over from that physical affair.

Trevor Gillies and Peter Vandermeer got things started off just 2:32 into the first period by dropping the gloves near the Heat blue line after the Abbotsford winger took exception to a big hit Gillies threw on him. Both men exchanged heavy blows for about thirty seconds as Gillies managed to get Vandermeer’s jersey over his head, which prompted the linesmen to jump in and break both men up.

That wouldn’t be the only tilt of the period, as Micheal Haley and Abbotsford’s Radek Smolenak mixed it up deep in the Heat zone about ten minutes later. Just like the previous Gillies/Vandermeer affair, Smolenak took exception to a heavy open ice hit thrown on him by Haley. The scrappy Sound Tiger winger held his own with the larger Smolenak before being taken down to the ice in a spirited affair.

Two and a half minutes later, Reich would then come to the aid of teammate Robin Figren as he fought with Abbotsford's captain, Garth Murray. Murray had clipped Figren prior to the bout to which Reich responded by dropping the gloves, moving one assist closer to a Gordie Howe hat trick.

Abbotsford evened things up just 1:01 into the second period on Jason Jaffray's 20th goal of the season. Jaffray flanked a two-on-two rush with David Van der Gulik into the Bridgeport zone. As Van der Gulik crossed the Bridgeport blue-line, he connected a centering pass with a streaking Jaffray. The Abbotsford winger broke free and was all alone in front of Munroe. Jaffray cut in front of Munroe and slid the puck past Munroe’s right pad to tie the game up for Abbotsford at 1-1.

Momentum turned to the Heat’s side as the second period came to a close.

Shawn Weller gave the Heat a 2-1 lead on the power play with 5.4 seconds left in the second period. With Greg Mauldin in the penalty box for tripping, Weller was chasing a dump-in and looked to throw the puck towards the slot. Unfortunately for the Sound Tigers, Weller's pass deflected off the skate of Mark Flood and found its way through Munroe’s legs to give the Heat a late lead.

As the third period began, the Sound Tigers were given an early power play as Mark Mitera was called for interference just 59 seconds into the final frame.

They would take advantage being a man up as Mark Flood tied things up a 2-2 on the power play just 2:39 in the third period with his ninth of the season. As Trevor Smith provided a screen in front of Shantz, Flood blasted a slapshot past the unsuspecting Abbotsford netminder to even the game up for Bridgeport at two goals apiece.

The Sound Tigers record falls to 27-25-3-6, and 16-12-0-3 at home. They will face off next on Saturday, February 27 against the Hershey Bears at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Three Stars of the Game:
1. Keith Seabrook, ABB: Game winning goal
2. Jesse Joensuu, BRI: Two assists
3. Jeremy Reich, BRI: Goal, four shots and a fight.

Slapshots: Abbotsford outshot Bridgeport, 36-34...Greg Mauldin led all Sound Tigers with five shots on goal...Both teams combined for 144 penalty minutes over the last two games played against each other...Bridgeport was 2-3 on the power play, while Abbotsford was 2-6 on the man advantage.

SOUND TIGERS

Forwards
23 Trevor Smith - 20 Greg Mauldin - 6 Jesse Joensuu
14 Sean Bentivoglio - 10 Tyler Haskins - 27 Matt Martin
17 Jeremy Reich - 15 Greg Moore - 7 Robin Figren
51 Trevor Gillies - 18 Micheal Haley - 44 Joel Rechlicz

Defensemen
32 Brendan Witt - 12 Mark Flood
22 Anton Klementyev - 4 Mark Wotton
26 Jon Gleed - 24 Brett Westgarth

Goaltenders
33 Scott Munroe
52 Nathan Lawson

ABBOTSFORD HEAT

Forwards
15 Jason Jaffray - 11 Mikael Backlund - 33 David Van der Bulik
16 Ryley Grantham - 30 Radek Smolenak - 19 J.D. Watt
26 Olivier Latendresse - 27 Brett Sutter - 29 Shawn Weller
20 Riley Armstrong - 10 Garth Murray - 8 Cam Cunning

Defensemen
28 Gord Baldwin - 3 Josh Meyers
75 Peter Vandermeer - 2 Keith Seabrook
5 Mark Mitera - 12 Staffan Kronwall

Goaltenders
1 David Shantz
36 Matt Keetley

Ch-ch-changes

2010-02-10T14:20:00.000-05:00

I'm thinking about making some changes here.

It might be for the better...

Greetings Deadspin readers

2010-01-04T17:34:00.005-05:00

If you're here from Deadspin, yes this is a hockey blog.

Yes, I know it hasn't been updated in forever.

No, I don't plan on stopping it.

and yes, tell your friends.

Tamby and Biron. And who really is clueless?

2009-11-01T12:50:00.005-05:00

I've been watching Jeff Tambellini playing now ever since he arrived to the Islanders organization. Now that's not really something special, but I like to feel like I've gotten an extra-special look at him from my consistent travels to Bridgeport over the last four years.

Over my time heading to Bridgeport, I was able to see why exactly the Islanders brought Jeff Tambellini over to the organization:

Jeff can score. Plain and simple.

I've seen him score 40 goals in 65 games in Bridgeport. I knew he was good for something, and I've defended him ad naseum in my pieces and radio appearances.

Now, after missing five games as a health scratch, he's tied for the team lead in goals with six.

Could this be Jeff Tambellini coming into his own? Has he finally realized how tot succeed in the National league?

As I wrote in yesterday's post-game report, Coach Gordon is noticing this.

"I think the biggest thing is that he's getting his shot off," Gordon said. "He's also going to the front of the net."

Now, as special as his hat trick was last night, there was another special moment to recognize as well, and that was Martin Biron's 200th NHL victory.

Biron has had many opportunities this year to secure number 200, but as I wrote in last night's post-game report, it was a long time coming.

"This is my sixth game this year and I had one last year before the end of the season to try and get it," Biron recalled. "It's not that I was focusing on it but it's fun to know that its there. It took me a little longer than I wanted, but Ill take it."

Now the $64,000 question last night was, who do I lead with? What do I recognize first?

Yeah, it's Jeff's first hat trick. It's special for him, but in reality, you have to look at career milestone's, and Biron and his phenomenal game trumped that.

This is why I was shocked to read Islanders Point Blank today and Chris Botta's opinion on last nights three-star selections.

Minus: Perhaps Andre Agassi’s dealer was in the press box when whomever made the Three Star selections. Way to not embrace the moment. Clueless.

Clueless? Way to not embrace the moment? Isn't that a little harsh?

Actually, I was one of those that voted for Biron as first star, and I fully stand by my decision.

As for not embracing the moment, I think I was embracing the moment in its fullest, and I think that Biron's 200th win may have gone a little unnoticed.

A milestone of that caliber for a veteran is very important to recognize, and by honoring Biron with the first star in my opinion was the right thing to do. He stood on his head the whole game, made 38 saves and easily kept the Islanders in the game after Buffalo easily controlled the first 15 minutes of the first period.

Tambellini, to his credit, played a great game, but if he was a second too late on the third goal, that hat trick would have been for naught.

Biron gave the Islanders a 60-minute effort in net, and for a veteran of 13 seasons in the NHL, he deserved the recognition.

10/24 Morning Skate

2009-10-24T11:50:00.003-04:00

Hi guys, here's a little something to report from this morning's foggy skate:

-- Dwayne Roloson gets the start tonight for the Islanders. Theodore for the Capitals.

-- Bruno Gervais in, Freddy Meyer out.

Coach Gordon said of Bruno: "We want to see him simplify things. His mistakes have been self-inflicted. We're believers in Bruno."

--Top line of Matt Moulson - John Tavares- Kyle Okposo is back together again after spending the last two games broken up.

Gordon: "We know we've had success there. We're trying to get the other lines going because we know we haven't established any secondary scoring."

--Deb Placey pointed out that Jon Sim against the Capitals: 24 points. Best against any team in his career.

Did Gordon put him in because of that?

Gordon (with smirk on his face): "Absolutely."

Tonight's lines:

Moulson - Tavares - Okposo

Sim - Nielsen - Bergenheim

Tambellini - Bailey - Comeau

Jackman - Park - Thompson

Gervais - Streit

Witt - Martinek

Sutton - Hillen

Roloson

Biron

Shenanigans?

2009-10-15T00:42:00.003-04:00

Oh, hi Lighthouse. How are you doing today? Listen, I know I don't talk about you much, but I saw that you made the Newsday front cover. That's great.

Oh you're welcome. How's the rest of your day been?

What? You're going away? Who said that?

The who?

I didn't know they talked much about you.

They must really know something that we don't, huh?

Okay, it's really me this time.

Now, I know you've heard this shocking news that the Lighthouse is reportedly being abandoned by Charles Wang and everything is not going to happen.

Now yes, my eyes bugged out a bit when I first saw it, but it got me thinking.

Is this really true?

First, and foremost, let me make this clear. I don't consider myself a Lighthouse expert. I support the project to the Nth degree, but I simply keep mum about it and let the others that have much more knowledge and insight about it than I do, specifically Katrina Doell, Nick Giglia, Chris Botta, and Dee Karl. Because if I start talking passionately, I might misspeak and not get my facts straight, because lord knows this has been such a complicated process over the past few months let alone years.

This conveniently leads into my point.

Who is reporting this story? It's the Long Island Press.

Now from what I've known over these past few tumultuous months over the certainty of the Lighthouse project, that if there's a story to be read about it, it usually comes from Eden Laikin and the rest of the Newsday crew, or Botta.

Never has anything of real substance or newsworthy come from the Long Island Press.

Okay, lets say they really got it. Newsday can't be far behind, right? I mean, they're usually up to date on all Lighthouse news.

Lets just say its late at night, and there's a blog post from them, not a news story.

But one person close to the developer who would not speak for the record — not Wang himself — told Newsday Wednesday night the project has not been abandoned.

Representatives of the Town of Hempstead and Nassau County did return calls — to report that they were unaware of any change in the Lighthouse proposal.

I'm sorry Long Island Press, when it comes to Lighthouse news, I'll believe Newsday more than you.

I know we'll definitely find out more in the morning, hopefully from a statement from Wang and partner Scott Rechler.

But for now, I call shenanigans.

Goodnight Lighthouse, I'll see you tomorrow.

Thoughts on Rechlicz

2009-10-08T16:14:00.003-04:00

So a couple of days ago, Joel Rechlicz was returned to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers by the New York Islanders after just one game this season.

We would also like to note that in that one game he played less than three minutes.

Now I'm sure the recall is not indicative of his performance, but I think this is just a problem of the roster just being way too crowded at this point.

With new captain Doug Weightreturning from injury, Rob Schremp ready to step into the lineup, along with Frans Neilsen about two weeks away from returning, something just has got to give.

Rechlicz is a young player who needs the regular ice time (and the fighting experience) that he will surely get down in the minors.

This probably isn't the last you'll see of him however. There's just no place for him right now.

Hello again, its hockey season

2009-10-03T09:38:00.000-04:00

Oh hi.

No, I haven't disappeared, just have had life get in the way. I've been concentrating more on the professional part of my life for the better part of two months and I'm glad to say I think I have all that covered.

If you follow my twitter page, you may have gathered that I've recently started a new gig with the upstart high school sports network, MSG Varsity as a web manager and reporter over there. But don't worry, my responsibilities to the site will not diminish.

I may not be able to get up to the Bridge as much as possible but I will still have your Sound Tigers news daily.

I will still be the weekend home-game recapper for newyorkislanders.com.

I'm still here.

Hockey is here.

Let's get it started.

Islanders Sign Matt Martin

2009-09-04T15:45:00.003-04:00

Just came in from the Islanders Media Relations team...

ISLANDERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH MARTIN
Windsor, Ontario Native Agrees to Three-Year Entry Level Deal

UNIONDALE, NY, Sept. 4, 2009 -- The New York Islanders announced today that they have agreed to terms with forward, Matt Martin to a three-year entry level contract.

Martin was originally selected by the Islanders at the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft in the fifth round (148th overall). Having spent the last three seasons with the Ontario Hockey League's, Sarnia Sting, Martin had a career year in scoring last season ranking third on the team with 65 points (35 goals, 30 assists) and amassed a team leading 142 penalty minutes.

"We are excited to have Matt in our organization," said Garth Snow, General Manager, New York Islanders. "He brings that special combination of size and ability that provide him a bright future as a professional."

The Windsor, Ontario native accumulated a total of 109 points (63 goals and 46 assists) during his three seasons with the Sting.

Isles Trade Hennigar to Carolina, Acquire Hughes

2009-08-31T13:34:00.003-04:00

Just in from the Islanders front office...

ISLANDERS ACQUIRE HUGHES FROM CAROLINA
Send Hennigar to the Hurricanes

UNIONDALE, NY, August 31, 2009 -- The New York Islanders have acquired Bobby Hughes from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for center Rob Hennigar, pending a physical.

Hughes played the last two seasons for the Hurricanes' American Hockey League affiliate, the Albany River Rats. The Richmond Hill, ON native totaled 23 points with the River Rats in 53 games played over the course of the two seasons. Hughes was originally selected by Carolina in the fourth round (123rd overall) of the 2006
NHL Entry Draft and signed a three-year entry level contract with he team on April 10, 2007, making his professional debut for Albany in the 2007 Calder Cup Playoffs against the Hershey Bears. The 5'10", 180 pound center played four years in the Ontario Hockey League for the Kingston Frontenacs where he finished his career with 103 goals and 150 assists for 253 points in 243 games.

Hennigar split last season between the Islanders AHL and ECHL affiliates, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Utah Grizzlies. He accumulated 13 points (three goals and 10 assists) in 34 games played for the Sound Tigers.

Mike Sillinger Retires

2009-08-26T15:34:00.000-04:00

SILLINGER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
17-Year NHL Veteran Finishes His Career as an Islander

UNIONDALE, NY, August 26, 2009 -- New York Islanders forward, Mike Sillinger has announced his retirement after playing in the National Hockey League for the past 17 seasons.

Originally drafted eleventh overall in the first round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings, Sillinger played a total of 141 games for the Islanders the last three seasons. Sillinger also served as the team's assistant captain while scoring 42 goals and 45 assists for 87 points.

"To play the sport of hockey, something I've had a passion for all my life, at the professional level for the past 17 years and to be able to support my family has been a dream come true," said Sillinger. "From playing this game I have met some of my best friends and will cherish the memories we made forever."

The Regina, SASK native holds the record for most teams played for in a career with twelve starting with the Red Wings in the 1990-91 season. He also skated for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, and the Islanders. Sillingers 151 games played with the Islanders were the most he competed in with any of the twelve teams he suited up for in his career.

"Mike has and always will be a tremendous ambassador for this game," said Garth Snow, General Manager, New York Islanders. "He is a born leader in everything he does and on behalf of the New York Islanders I wish him and his family the very best in the future."

Throughout his career, Sillinger has played in 1,049 career games, scoring 240 goals and 308 assists for 548 points. His most prolific season was in 2005-06 when he scored 63 points in 79 games while splitting the year between St. Louis and Nashville.

Islanders Agree to Terms with Nathan Lawson

2009-08-20T16:05:00.001-04:00

ISLANDERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH LAWSON
AHL All-Rookie Team Net-minder Signs One-Year Extension

Uniondale, NY -- The New York Islanders announced today that they have agreed to terms with goaltender Nathan Lawson.

Lawson spent the majority of last season with the organization's American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. In 31 games with the Sound Tigers, Lawson posted a 19-9-2 record with a .927 save percentage and a 2.16 goals against average. He had a nine-game unbeaten streak to open his career in the AHL, going 8-0-1.

Lawson, who began the season with the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL, was named to the AHL All-Rookie at the conclusion of the season.

"Nathan had an impressive season last year in Bridgeport," said Garth Snow, Islanders General Manager. "His competitiveness increases our organizational goaltending depth."

Prior to last season, the Calgary, Alberta native played the 2007-08 in the ECHL for both the Phoenix Roadrunners and Utah. From 2004-07, Lawson played at the University of Alaska-Anchorage of the WCHA. During those three seasons, he played in 75 games while posting a .906 save percentage and a 3.24 goals against average.

Support the Lighthouse Tomorrow

2009-08-03T10:55:00.002-04:00

I know I have been majorly MIA lately on the blog, but please, support the Lighthouse and all the hard work everyone has been putting in to move this project forward.

Remember, keep sending in your comments to the Town of Hempstead!

Lighthouse project public hearing tomorrow, August 4
On Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing on the Lighthouse project at the John Cranford Adams Playhouse on the campus of Hofstra University.

A rally is also being held in Lot 8 in the Nassau Coliseum parking lot from 8- 8:45 a.m. The rally will march to the Adams Playhouse to arrive by the start of the meeting. Special guest speakers will include Islanders owner Charles Wang, Islanders Alumni players and local elected officials. Islanders forwards Josh Bailey and Joel Rechlicz will on site meeting and greeting fans and supporting the Lighthouse project.

For more information please visit www.lighthouseli.com or the official blog of the Lighthouse Development Group the Light Post at lighthouseliblog.blogspot.com. Follow the Lighthouse project on Twitter at @lighthouse_li or join the “I support the Lighthouse at Long Island” on Facebook.

Islanders Sign John Tavares

2009-07-15T11:44:00.001-04:00

ISLANDERS SIGN TAVARES
2009 First Overall Pick Signs First Professional Contract

UNIONDALE, NY, July 15, 2009 -- The New York Islanders announced today the signing of John Tavares to a three-year entry level contract. Tavares was selected by the Islanders first overall in the 2009 National Hockey League Draft.

Tavares, a native of Oakville, ON, played in 247 career Ontario Hockey League games over four seasons, compiling 215 goals and 218 assists for 433 points. His 215 tallies surpassed Peter Lee's former OHL record of 214 goals, which Lee held for 33 years. In 2007, Tavares was named the Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year, after breaking the OHL record for goals in a season with 72, a milestone previously held by Wayne Gretzky. Tavares played in 38 career OHL playoff games, recording 20 goals and 36 assists for a total of 56 points.

"It's an exciting time for the Islanders organization as we develop our young talent into a contender," said Garth Snow, General Manager, New York Islanders. "John provides another important piece to help us achieve our ultimate goal of winning a Stanley Cup."

Last season, the 19-year-old center, led the OHL in goals (58) and points (104). Tavares recorded 50 points (32 goals and 18 assists) in 24 games after he was traded to the London Knights about halfway through the 2008-09 season and tied for the league lead in power-play goals with 14. Tavares also finished ninth in OHL playoff scoring with 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points.

"I'm excited to officially become a part of the New York Islanders organization and begin my professional career this upcoming season," said Tavares. "I look forward to joining the Islanders and be part of a team that's ultimate goal is to bring the Stanley Cup back to Long Island."

Tavares won back-to-back gold medals with Team Canada at the 2008 and 2009 World Junior Championships. He was named the 2009 tournament MVP and World Junior Top Forward. Tavares tallied eight goals and seven assists for 15 points at the 2009 Tournament to complete his all-time tournament scoring marks at 12 goals and eight assists for 20 points. His career World Junior goal total of 12, ties him with fellow Canadians Eric Lindros and Jeff Carter for most goals in a career at the World Junior Championships.

Tavares is the fourth number one overall pick selected by the Islanders. In 2000, the Islanders selected goaltender Rick DiPietro first overall. Denis Potvin was picked first overall at the 1973 NHL Entry Draft and in 1972 the Islanders selected forward Billy Harris.

Prospect Camp Day 3 - Media Scrums

2009-07-12T17:27:00.002-04:00

Islanders Head Coach Scott Gordon:

John Tavares:

Josh Bailey:

Joel Rechlicz:

Prospect Camp Day 2 - Some Thoughts

2009-07-11T09:53:00.002-04:00

UPDATE: Just your normal, run-of-the-mill prospect camp session with nothing too big of note coming out of the day.

A few thoughts though that caught my eye...

Mikko Koskinen is a HUGE presence in net. The media notes list him as 6'5", he said 6'7" at the Draft, but nonetheless, he towers over the crossbar and takes up a lot of space. If he gets off to a good start in Bridgeport he can be a future star I believe.

Had a talk with Joel Rechlicz as the first group was taking the ice. When I asked him how his summer was treating him, one of the things he stressed to me was "lots of rest." Smart guy, he travelled a helluva lot this past season. While resting, he did train a lot, but the rest helped him out a lot and he feels great and is ready for the season upcoming.

Noticed Josh Bailey wired, probably for ITV. Expect something soon from that.

Only scare of the two sessions were during a 2-on-1 drill where Casey Cizikas fell hard into Nathan Lawson as he was being taken down by invitee Nate Prosser. Cizikas joked afterwards his shins were killing him, but seemed to be fine.

Thoughts, opinions and everything else in between coming up later following today's session.

For more real-time updates, follow me on Twitter at the sidebar to your left or at The Tiger Track on Twitter

Mixin' 'Em Up - Sound Tigers Join Atlantic Division

2009-07-07T14:44:00.004-04:00

With three new teams set for play this upcoming season in the AHL, and now with the suspension of another franchise, the AHL announced its new divisional alignment for the 2009-10 season.

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers will now move over to the Atlantic Division, and will now become true division-rivals with the Hartford Wolfpack.

Meanwhile, the Syracuse Crunch will cross conferences and take the Sound Tigers place in the East Division.

Here is the new alignment, with key changes in bold italics.

EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division
--Bridgeport Sound Tigers
--Hartford Wolfpack
--Lowell Devils
--Manchester Monarchs
--Portland Pirates
--Providence Bruins
--Springfield Falcons
--Worchester Sharks

East Division
--Adirondack Phantoms
--Albany River Rats
--Binghamton Senators
--Hershey Bears
--Norfolk Admirals
--Syracuse Crunch
--Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

WESTERN CONFERENCE
North Division
--Abbotsford Heat
--Grand Rapids Griffins
--Hamilton Bulldogs
--Lake Erie Monsters
--Manitoba Moose
--Rochester Americans
--Toronto Marlies

West Division
--Chicago Wolves
--Houston Aeros
--Milwaukee Admirals
--Peoria Rivermen
--Rockford Icehogs
--San Antonio Rampage
--Texas Stars

Tavares Debut Most Anticipated Game of 09-10

2009-07-06T14:30:00.003-04:00

Every so often, I go on various websites and see these fan polls and think nothing of them. But today I happened to venture over to NHL.com and noticed their latest fan poll. The topic? "Which game of the 2009-10 season are you most anticipating?"

It's a tight race, but right now John Tavares' debut is leading the pack with 24.11% of all votes. That just barely eclipses the 2010 Winter Classic, which has 23.93% of all votes.

The current results are as followed:

John Tavares debut: 24.11%
Winter Classic: 23.93%
Pittsburgh-Detroit rematch: 21.77%
Teemu Selanne's last game: 12.09%
Marian Hossa's return to Detroit: 11.6%
Victor Hedman's debut: 6.5%

As I had said before, the addition of John Tavares gives the Islanders tremendous marketability legs. When was the last time you've heard of fans anticipating an Islanders game?

You'll probably have to go back a long time for that.

John Tavares jerseys are already being sold on NHL.com, and his press conference introducing him to the media and fans hasn't even happened yet.

Not only are the fans and NHL aware of John Tavares, but now, they're finally aware of the Islanders.

Isles Make Minor Moves

2009-07-02T13:53:00.001-04:00

ISLANDERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH THREE PLAYERS
Team Signs Munroe, Reich And Westgarth For Next Season

UNIONDALE, NY, July 2, 2009 -- The New York Islanders announced today that they have agreed to terms with three players. Goaltender Scott Munroe, left wing Jeremy Reich and defenseman Brett Westgarth all have signed one-year, two-way contracts.

Munroe, an undrafted goalie from Moose Jaw, SASK, has been a part of the Philadelphia Flyers organization for the past four seasons. He received his first call-up to the National Hockey League last year with the Flyers. The 27-year-old net-minder posted a career year last season with a record of 31-19-0-4, a save percentage of .926 and four shutouts. Munroe led the Phantoms to the Calder Cup Playoffs in each of the past two seasons. During the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs, Munroe made 65 saves in a five overtime contest against the Albany River Rats to earn the victory in the longest game in American Hockey League history.

Reich has played in a total of 99 NHL games scoring two goals and four assists while compiling 161 penalty minutes. The Craik, SASK native has been a part of the Boston Bruins organization for the past three years and played under Islanders head coach Scott Gordon his first two seasons with the team's AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins. Last season, the 6'1", 196 pound left wing, served as the team captain of Providence, setting single-season career high numbers of 21 goals and 13 assists for 34 points in 76 games. Reich was originally drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round (39th overall) of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.

Westgarth played the last three seasons in the AHL. Last year, the 6'2", 215 pound defenseman played for the Worcester Sharks, AHL affiliate of the San Jose Sharks, scoring nine points (2 goals and 7 assists) while totaling 137 penalty minutes. Westgarth, a native of Amhertsburg, ON, is a Princeton University graduate who skated for the Tigers from 2002-2007 where he compiled four goals and 20 assists for 24 points.

Dwayne Roloson Signs with Islanders: Newsday

2009-07-01T14:24:00.007-04:00

2:39 UPDATE: When asked on NHL Live why he signed with the Islanders, he basically said "They offered the second year, and that's about it."

He also says he's got a good working relationship with Rick DiPietro, saying he knew Ricky while he was in college and in the pros, and that's he's excited to be working with him.

Greg Logan is reporting that goaltender Dwayne Roloson has signed a 2-year, $5 million contract with the New York Islanders

The Islanders have reached agreement with Edmonton's Dwayne Roloson on a two-year deal believed to be worth $5 million. Signing a veteran starting goaltender solves their top priority, which was to have a 1A-caliber backup for starter Rick DiPietro in the event his injury problems continue.

More to come.