6 NY Islanders affiliated players named to the CHL's 50 greatest players of all-time

The CHL is honoring the top 50 players to pass through the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL for the league's 50th anniversary, recognizing some of the biggest names in hockey. Among those 50 players, six have affiliations with the NY Islanders, both as players and coaches.

No. 37 Roberto Luongo

Before his Hall of Fame career in the NHL, Roberto Luongo made a name for himself with the Val-d'Or Foreurs and Acadie-Bathurst Titan of the QMJHL. He'd backstop Val-d'Or and Acadie-Bathurst to QMJHL titles, winning the Mike Bossy Award for the best pro prospect in 19976-97. The Islanders drafted Luongo fourth overall in 1997, playing 24 games on Long Island before being traded to the Florida Panthers.

No, 33 Ray Ferraro

Playing two seasons in the WHL, Ray Ferarro set the league on fire in his rookie season, finishing with 90 points for the Portland Winterhawks. The following season, he was traded to the Brandon Wheat Kings, setting a league record with 108 goals in 72 games, which still stands today. During the 1990-91 season, Ferraro was traded by the Buffalo Sabres to the Islanders, with Pat LaFontaine going to Western New York.

No. 20 Pat LaFontaine

Despite only playing one season of Canadian Junior Hockey, Pat LaFontaine left a lasting impression. In his only season with the Verdun Juniors of the QMJHL, LaFontaine set a rookie record with 104 goals, while adding 130 assists in 70 games, en route to a QMJHL title. The Islanders selected LaFontaine third overall in 1983. He'd play eight seasons with the Islanders, having his best season in 1989-90, finishing with 105 points (54 G, 51 A).

No. 16 Patrick Roy

The only player on this list who never played for the Islanders, Patrick Roy, played three seasons for the Granby Bisons in the QMJHL. Though his numbers may not look impressive by today's standards, his 4.49 GAA and .873 SV% were among the league's best in 1983-84. Roy coached the Islanders for three seasons, was recently let go, and was replaced by Peter DeBoer.

No. 15 John Tavares

John Tavares changed the trajectory of the OHL as the first player ever to be awarded exceptional status, allowing him to enter the league at 15 years old. In 2006-2007, Tavares led the OHL in goals as a 16-year-old with 72, on his way to being named OHL MVP. Traded by the Oshawa General to the London Knights in his final season, he was soon after drafted first overall by the Islanders in 2009.

No. 5 Mike Bossy

Arguably the most talented goal scorer in the game's history, Mike Bossy was a one-of-a-kind talent who made his start with the Laval National in the QMJHL. Bossy eclipsed the 100-point mark in all four seasons he played for Laval, and has since been honored, as the QMJHL's Top Prospect Award is named after him. Bossy was drafted 15th overall by the Islanders in 1975, where he went on to win four Stanley Cups, and still has the NHL record for most goals per game (.77).

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