Celebrating 50 years of NY Islanders Hockey With the All-Decade Team: 1972-1981

With training camp right around the corner, the organization and the fans are preparing to celebrate the fifth decade of NY Islanders hockey. It has been a roller coaster of emotions for everyone associated with the organization, from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows.

This season will be a celebration of the franchise as we remember the great moments and great players through the past 50 years.

Here, we will have our celebration of 50 years, naming the best player at each position for each decade. From the dynasty era to the fishstick era, to the present day, each period has had some sort of lasting memory, and we intend to look back on each of those.

Once we've finished each all-decade team, we will select the top line-up, constructed of one player from each decade.

We begin with the first ten years of Islanders hockey, from the inaugural season to the beginning of the dynasty era of the early 80s. The organization won two of its four Stanley Cups in its first decade of existence in 1980 and 1981.

*Note: A player cannot be named in multiple all-decade teams. for example, Mike Bossy cannot be selected for 1972-1981 and 1982-1991.