Islanders: Best Player To Wear Number 5

Continuing our best of series, today we will look at the best player to wear number five for the New York Islanders in their history.

Yesterday we talked about older brother Jean Potvin, and today as we take a look at Islanders to wear number five we will talk about one of the greatest Islanders to ever live, Denis Potvin.

Only five players have worn the number for the Islanders and the first four were Bob Nystrom (1973), Ernie Hicke, Ron Smith, and Ken Murray. All four of those guys wore it in just the 1973 season.

In 1974, Denis Potvin who was the first overall pick in the 1973 draft, was given that number. He would wear it through the entirety of his 15-year career with the Islanders.

Potvin was an all-star seven times, including five straight years from 1974-1979. He is also a three-time Norris winner taking home the trophy in 1976, 1978, and 1979. Potvin finished top-10 for the Norris eight times in his 15 year career.

More than half of his seasons in the league was top-10 worthy for the Norris, which is absolutely insane. Oh, and he also won the Calder in 1974 with a 54 point (17 goals, 57 assists) season.

Arguably his best season came in 1978-1979 when he put up 101 points (31 goals, 70 assists) from the blue line. His 1052 points ranks seventh all-time for defensemen.

From 1979 through the 1987 season, Denis Potvin wore the “C” as the Islanders Captain. During his tenure as Captain, the Islanders won four Stanley Cups in a row and went to a fifth all while winning 19 straight playoff series.

In 1991, Potvin was inducted into the Hall Of Fame and his number went into the rafters in 1992.

Any time you walk through the Coliseum doors and head to your seat you’ll see a big banner with the number five on it and the last name “Potvin” written across the top. I wish I could’ve gotten a chance to see him play and serve as this team’s Captain.

When thinking of the Islanders and the number five, only one name comes to mind, and his name is Denis Potvin.