Sports

Building A New York Islanders’ Team With Just Long Island Natives

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5 months ago

August 7, 2024

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Building A New York Islanders’ Team With Just Long Island Natives

Over the last handful of years, Long Island has produced many NHLers.

So, what if the New York Islanders were built with just players from Long Island?

There’s a “Big Three” of Long Island NHLers, a threesome who would immediately give the club a strong foundation.

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On the backend, the Long Island Islanders would have Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy, who reigns from Long Beach, and New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox, who comes from Jericho.

Ottawa Senators‘ Shane Pinto, who was raised in Frankin Square, is a superstar in the making and will serve as the team’s No. 1 center.

While a center by trade, on Pinto’s wing would be Buffalo Sabres star forward Tage Thompson.

His father, Brent Thompson, was the head coach of Bridgeport for 10 seasons before becoming an assistant coach with the Anaheim Ducks last summer.

Although Thompson was born in Arizona and played all across the United States, he grew up in the area and played for the Junior Islanders from 2013 to 14, so we will count him.

<p><button class= — Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Current Islanders forward Kyle Palmieri was born in Smithtown but grew up in New Jersey.

Fun fact: His father grew up on Long Island during the Dynasty but wasn’t a big hockey guy. Zach Parise, while with the New Jersey Devils, visited Palmieri’s high school. Yes, he told Parise about this.

Keeping the forward mojo going, Washington Capitals forward Sonny Milano is from Massapequa, while Calgary Flames forward Matthew Coronato is from Greenlawn.

<p>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports Uploaded&colon;</p> — Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports Uploaded&colon;

After Marshall Warren’s career at Boston College ended, the Laurel Hollow native signed a minor-league deal with the Bridgeport Islanders.

The defenseman is gearing up for his first full pro season.

Some more forward depth options include Toronto Marlies Robert Mastrosimone, Bridgeport Islanders Tyce Thompson—Tage’s brother—and Freeport native Jeremy Bracco, who has spent the last two seasons in the KHL after being drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft.

There’s only one NHL goalie from Long Island: veteran Keith Kinkaid of Farmingville.

Kinkaid, who started his career with the New Jersey Devils, played for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL last season.

<p>Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports</p> — Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Lacrosse may be the fastest-growing sport on Long Island, but it’s still a place that’s producing high-quality NHL players, a list that hopefully continues to grow.

And it will grow as James Hagens, from Hauppauge, is expected to go No. 1 overall at the 2025 NHL Draft.