New York Islanders: The All-Time Top 50 Non-Players

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Feb 11, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; General view of the Stanley Cup on display outside Bridgestone Arena as a part of the NHL Centennial Truck Tour prior to the Nashville Predators game against the Florida Panthers.. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

The Odd Parring of Stanley and Garth

11. Jim Pickard – Let Pickard stand for Ron Waske and every other unsung trainer, equipment manager, stick boy etc who worked to make this team function since 1972. Jim gets the nod because he was there during the best of times.

12. John Spano – He is number one on the list of jailed, Ex-Islander semi-owners. But he made two incredible contributions. He brought a shot of adrenaline into a moribund franchise at it’s lowest ebb…before making it worse. In fact, he made it so bad the league eventually took control of the process. And of course, he made the franchise-saving TV deal with Cablevision.

13. John Alogna – Aesthetically the Islanders logo is way too busy, a miss mosh of styles, and the round shape makes it look like a happy face with the team name as the smile. But it is our beloved, untouchable, mishmash. And John Alogna created it.

14. Stan Fischler -The greatest American hockey writer of the 60s, 70’s, 80’s. The Red Fisher of New York. The Bob MacKensie of his day. Added immediate overwhelming legitimacy to Islander broadcasts when he arrived… shortly after the pilgrims.

15. Garth Snow – I know you hate him, but he’s been pretty brilliant. Well, aside from the Halak mess… and the losing… and Capuano… and the accessibility… and trading Nino.

16. Ed Westfall – Reluctant to come here in 72, he became the on-ice tutor, and then the on-air conscience of the team. Single most likable human ever associated with the franchise.

17. Lord Stanley – Because without him the Islanders would have won four consecutive Aetna Insurance Trophies. Yuck.

18. Chris Botta – Two huge contributions. First, he was the front office’s lifeline to the fans during what must have been some bizarre times, and he pretty much pioneered and personified “Islander Fan Advocate blogging” and was seen as a traitor by the regime. He is your martyr.

19. Butch Goring – Admit it. You’d love to have lunch with him one day. Long removed from being the “the final piece to the puzzle”. He’s been a stinky coach in both the minors and the NHL for the Isles and an unlistenable color man. But it doesn’t stop you from loving him.

20. Grace and Louis Sutter – When asked which Sutter he would choose, Don Cherry once said, “I’ll take the parents and breed em”. Crude, but efficient. Only parents ever to produce three Islander players.