Nov. 8, 1971

Birth of the Islanders

The New York Islanders are awarded an NHL franchise, set to begin play in the 1972-73 season. Nassau County hires William Shea, of New York Mets fame, to lobby the NHL to place a team on Long Island.

  • For instant access to stats on ice and position time, shot location and face-off percentages, NHL teams rely on the SAP-NHL Coaching Insights app for iPad. The app launched in 2017, but SAP’s story goes back to its founding in 1972. Today, the German database technology company’s market cap is $108.58B.

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june 6, 1972

1972 expansion draft

The Islanders select 21 players in the 1972 NHL Expansion Draft, picking from the 14 established NHL teams. Billy Smith is the only Islander picked to later play on the dynasty teams, but notable picks include first captain Ed Westfall and defenseman Gerry Hart. That same year, the Islanders draft Billy Harris, Bob Nystrom, Lorne Henning and Garry Howatt in the Amateur Draft.

Islanders 1972 Expansion Draft Picks
Pick Player Pos. Selected From Isles Stats
2 Gerry Desjardins G Chicago Black Hawks 80GP 14-52-9 
4 Billy Smith G Los Angeles Kings 675GP 304-230-104 1G 12A 13P 484 PIM 
5 Bart Crashley D Montreal Canadiens  
7 Dave Hudson C Chicago Black Hawks 132GP 14G 29A 43P 24 PIM
9 Ed Westfall RW Boston Bruins 493GP 105G 181A 286P 134PIM
11 Garry Peters C Boston Bruins  
13 Larry Hornung D St. Louis Blues  
15 Bryan Lefley D New York Rangers 70GP 3G 7A 10P 56PIM
17 Brian Spencer LW Toronto Maple Leafs 132GP 19G 40A 59P 155PIM
19 Terry Crisp C St. Louis Blues 54GP 4G 16A 20P 6PIM
21 Ted Hampson C Minnesota North Stars  
23 Gerry Hart D Detroit Red Wings 476GP 20G 108A 128P 783PIM
25 John Schella D Vancouver Canucks  
27 Bill Mikkelson D Los Angeles Kings 72GP 1G 10A 11P 45PIM
29 Craig Cameron RW Minnesota North Stars 187GP 35G 34A 69P 59PIM
31 Tom Miller C Toronto Maple Leafs 89GP 15G 18A 33P 25PIM
33 Brian Marchinko C Buffalo Sabres 42GP 2G 6A 8P 0PIM
35 Ted Taylor LW Vancouver Canucks  
37 Norm Ferguson RW California Golden Seals  
39 Jim Mair D Philadelphia Flyers 49GP 2G 11A 13P 41 PIM
41 Ken Murray D Buffalo Sabres 39GP 0G 4A 4P 59 PIM

oct. 7, 1972

ISLANDERS PLAY FIRST GAME

The Islanders face the Atlanta Flames at Nassau Coliseum, both teams’ first-ever game. Ed Westfall scores the Islanders’ first-ever goal at 19:29 of the second period, and Billy Harris scores the Isles’ second goal, but the Flames win the game 3-2.

oct. 12, 1972

ISLANDERS first win

The Islanders beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 at Nassau Coliseum as they secure the franchise’s first-ever win. Billy Harris scores twice and takes the team’s first-ever penalty shot, which is unsuccessful. Tied 2-2 in the third period, Germain Gagnon scores the game winner.

Apr. 11, 1975

Isles Beat Rangers for First Playoff Series Win

The Islanders win their first playoff series, ousting the Rangers two games to one, when J.P. Parisé scores 11 seconds into overtime at Madison Square Garden to give the Isles a 4-3 win in Game Three. Parise was acquired on Jan. 5, 1975 from the Minnesota North Stars along with Jude Drouin, who set up Parisé's winning goal.

apr. 26, 1975

isles come back from 3-0 deficit vs penguins

The Islanders come back from a 3-0 series deficit to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games. It’s the second time in history an NHL team rallied from an 3-0 deficit to win a series. The Isles win Game Seven 1-0, as Ed Westfall scores the lone goal, while Chico Resch pitches a 30-save shutout.

apr. 1, 1978

bossy scores 50 as rookie

In a 3-2 win against the Washington Capitals, Mike Bossy scores his 50th goal of the 1977-78 season, making him the first Islander and first rookie in NHL history to do so. Bossy’s 50th goal fulfilled a preseason proclamation he’d made to GM Bill Torrey.

junE 11, 1979

Trottier WINS Hart Trophy

Bryan Trottier wins the Hart Trophy as the NHL's MVP after he records 134 points (47G, 87A) in 76 games, setting career-highs in assists and points. The highlight of the season is Trottier’s eight-point game on Dec. 23, 1978, including a six-point period. Trottier is the only Islander to win the Hart Trophy.

  • Founded in 1899 as Canada Cycle & Motor Company, CCM tried its hand at ice hockey skates—made with scrap metal—near the turn of the century. The skates took off with the rising popularity of hockey, and today, CCM is a subsidiary of Reebok America, which was acquired by Toronto’s Birch Hill Equity Partners for $110M in 2017.

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Nov. 28, 1979

Smith Scores Goalie Goal

Billy Smith becomes first NHL goalie to be credited with a goal. Down 4-3 in the third period, Colorado’s Rob Ramage sends the puck into the back of his own net on a delayed penalty. Since Smith is the last Islander to touch the puck, he is credited with the goal.