Stan Fischler Joins NewYorkIslanders.com

Once upon a time, a hockey team named the New York Islanders was born -- and I was there to see it happen.
By 1972, The Maven had already been in the NHL business for 20 years both as newsman and fan.
The baby Islanders intrigued me because I saw them as the reincarnation of the New York Americans who once had been the Rangers keenest rivals before folding in 1942.

So, here was a spanking new team to take on the Blueshirts and I had the good fortune to be there when Isles General Manager Bill Torrey concluded his first draft and selected a handsome right wing named Billy Harris.

MAVEN'S MEMORIES: BIRTH OF THE BOYS FROM UNIONDALE

I enjoyed watching these growing Nassaumen struggle in their freshman season, flex their muscles a year later after drafting Denis Potvin and then, miracle of miracles, in March 1975, I telecast the first home game from the Coliseum with Spencer Ross.
It catapulted Al Arbour's boys into the playoffs and you know what happened after that.
Down went the Rangers; Down went the Penguins and Down -- well, almost -- went the Flyers.
The Torrey-Arbour team relentlessly built a four-Cup Dynasty and I went along for the joyous ride.

I'll never forget the Billy Smith saves; the Bossy shots; the Trottier's everything; the Gillies punch-outs, the Tonelli digging; the Resch laughs; and the best went on and on.
A Bob Bourne playoff end to end goal rush against the Rangers remains a thrill matched by Patty LaFontaine's Easter Epic goal against the Capitals.
No question, the Islanders became a part of my metabolism and the unique feeling was passed along to my wife, Shirley, and sons Ben and Simon who shared the thrill of victory and the downer of losses.
What a run and, now, how delighted -- call it ecstatic -- to maintain my strong link to the team by orchestrating a weekly blog on the club's website.
You'll be getting everything from The Maven's opinions, lists, magnificent memories, an occasion joke -- maybe even more than occasional -- features and the kind of content that has been drawing fans to my thought-twisting tweets.
I just love writing about hockey and love writing about the Islanders. It's going to be a fun run for me and, I assure you, for all the Islanders fans out there.
Stan Fischler