3 reasons to be pumped for the NY Islanders' once-hated Fisherman jersey return

The Fisherman is back, and there are reasons to be excited for it.

When the New York Islanders take the ice tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes, they'll be wearing their new white Hometown Remix jerseys, bringing back a logo that was once among the most despised in professional sports.

Introduced in 1995, the Fisherman lasted just two seasons before the Islanders abandoned it amid overwhelming criticism. Thirty years later, it's become something of a cult favorite, and even those who remember the darker days of the franchise seem to be warming up to it.

Here are three reasons I'm pumped to see it return.

1. The Fisherman finally gets the makeover it deserves

The original Fisherman was a product of its time, with teal, orange and wave patterns that screamed 1990s hockey.

But this version feels different.

The white base, navy shoulders, streamlined Fisherman crest and lighthouse patches make for a cleaner, sharper appearance. It's a significant improvement over the original and arguably better than the navy Reverse Retro edition from 2022-23.

The Fisherman might never win over everyone, but this feels like the version that could finally change some minds.

2. A new generation gets to redefine what the logo represents

For older Islanders fans, the Fisherman brings back memories of losing seasons, questionable ownership and an organization struggling to find its identity.

For Matthew Schaefer, none of that matters.

"That was the past and we don't think about things like that," Schaefer told the New York Post.

The young defenseman also praised the logo's connection to Long Island's coastal identity.

That's what makes this return special. Schaefer and the next generation of Islanders have an opportunity to give the Fisherman an entirely different legacy, one associated with excitement and optimism rather than embarrassment.

3. Even the players and coaches are buying into the excitement

It's one thing for fans to get excited about a new jersey. It's another when the players and coaches are genuinely looking forward to wearing it.

Coach Peter DeBoer acknowledged the enthusiasm surrounding the Fisherman's return following Wednesday's practice.

"What's old is new again, right?" DeBoer, wearing a fisherman hat joked.

And there's no better way to debut the uniforms than against the defending Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes, who arrive at UBS Arena sporting a league-best 12-3-2 record.

This isn't just a fashion show. It's an opportunity for the Islanders to make a statement against one of the NHL's best teams while wearing one of hockey's most recognizable and controversial logos.

The Fisherman has plenty of bad memories attached to it.

Tonight offers a chance to start creating some good ones.

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