The Top 5 NY Islanders Born In the USA

1. Pat LaFontaine (St. Louis, MO)

There's no argument that Pat LaFontaine is the greatest American-born player in the Islanders' history. Drafted in 1983 as the third overall pick, LaFontaine made his Islanders debut at 19 years old, appearing in the team's final 15 games of the 1983-84 season, lighting the lamp 13 times and adding six assists.

LaFontaine's play improved with each passing year, reaching his pinnacle in the 1989-90 season. His 105 points were good enough for eighth best in the NHL - making him only the sixth Islander at the time to reach the 100-point plateau.

The highlight of Lafontaines' tenure with the Islanders and one of the organization's greatest post-dynasty moments came on Easter morning of 1987. In Game 7 of the 1987 Patrick Division Semifinals, the Isles trailed the Washington Capitals 2-1 before a third-period goal from Bryan Trottier nodded the game up with under six minutes remaining, forcing overtime. The game that began on April 18 carried into the night as the clock struck twelve into Easter morning. With 8:47 remaining in the fourth overtime period, LaFontaine beat Caps goaltender Bob Mason to send the Islanders to the next round.

LaFontaine remained with the Islanders through the 1990-91 season, when he was abruptly traded to the Sabres in a deal that sent Pierre Turgeon to the Islanders. He played seven more seasons in the NHL with the Sabres and NY Rangers before his retirement in 1998.

LaFontaine was inducted into the Hockey Hall-of-Fame in 2003 and was named one of the NHL's Top 100 Greatest Players, during the league's 100th anniversary in 2017.