Long Island’s own hockey team the New York Islanders was a legendary team in the 1980s, bringing home Stanley Cups like it was their job. Ok, it was pretty much their job. But who is the best? Was it one of the old timers? Or some new blood on the ice? Who epitomizes the grit and talent that makes Long Island champions?
2024: Long Island Voted Mathew Barzal Best Islander!
Mathew Barzal
nhl.com/islanders
Since joining the New York Islanders in 2015, Mathew Barzal has played a pivotal role for the team. Hailing from British Columbia, he has showcased his hockey prowess on both national and international stages even before and during his tenure with the Islanders. Recognized as one of the NHL’s swiftest skaters, Barzal has significantly contributed to the team’s success, amassing numerous points and assists. Notably, he achieved the milestone of being the first to score a hat-trick against the Maple Leafs since 1986, etching his name in the team’s history. In 2021, Barzal extended his contract, committing to three more years with the Islanders, ensuring fans can witness his performance in the upcoming seasons!
2023: Long Islanders Voted Mathew Barzal Best Islander!
Mathew Barzal
Mathew Barzal has been a key player for the New York Islanders ever since he joined the team in 2015. The British Columbia native has hockey flowing through his blood, playing at both a national and international level for several years even before joining and during his time with the New York Islanders. As one of the fastest skaters in the NHL, Barzal has made many contributions to the team, including scoring several points and making tons of assists. He was the first to score a hat-trick against the Maple Leafs since 1986, securing him a spot in the team’s history. In 2021, Barzal signed on to play three more years with the team, so you can get to see him play in the latest season games!
2022: Long Islanders Voted Mathew Barzal Best Islander!
Mathew Barzal
Mathew Barzal has been a key player for the New York Islanders ever since he joined the team in 2015. The British Columbia native has hockey flowing through his blood, playing at both a national and international level for several years even before joining and during his time with the New York Islanders. As one of the fastest skaters in the NHL, Barzal has made many contributions to the team, including scoring several points and making tons of assists. He was the first to score a hat-trick against the Maple Leafs since 1986, securing him a spot in the team’s history. In 2021, Barzal signed on to play three more years with the team, so you can get to see him play in the latest season games!
2021: Long Islanders Voted Anders Lee Best Islander!
Anders Lee
A key member of the Islanders resurgence, Anders Lee serves as the captain, drafted in the sixth round, 152nd overall, by the Islanders in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. During the 2017–18 season, Lee again played as left wing on the first line with Josh Bailey and John Tavares. Lee was the Islanders’ leading scorer with 40 goals, tied for seventh-most in the NHL during the regular season. Lee additionally had 22 assists, making a total of 62 points for the season. On April 23, 2018, he was nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. At the beginning of the 2018–19 season, Lee was named the 15th captain of the Islanders and is currently one of the longest tenured Islanders in recent history.
2020: Long Islanders Voted Casey Cizikas Best Islander!
Casey Cizikas
Casey Cizikas was picked by the Islanders in the 2009 National Hockey League entry draft and has played for them ever since. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Cizikas played four seasons with the Mississauga St. Michael Majors in the Ontario Hockey League, followed by two seasons with the American Hockey League’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers for two years after the NHL draft, before ultimately joining the Islanders for the 2011-2012 season. Described as a player who has lots of energy and relentlessness, Cizikas earned his first Bob Nystrom Award in 2018 for the 2017-2018 season, and earned his second in 2019.
2019: Long Islanders Voted Anders Lee Best Islander!
Anders Lee
A key member of the Islanders resurgence, Anders Lee serves as the captain, drafted in the sixth round, 152nd overall, by the Islanders in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. During the 2017–18 season, Lee again played as left wing on the first line with Josh Bailey and John Tavares. Lee was the Islanders’ leading scorer with 40 goals, tied for seventh-most in the NHL during the regular season. Lee additionally had 22 assists, making a total of 62 points for the season. On April 23, 2018, he was nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. At the beginning of the 2018–19 season, Lee was named the 15th captain of the Islanders.
2018: Long Islanders Voted John Tavares Best Islander on Long Island
John Tavares
1255 Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale. 516-794-9300. islanders.nhl.com
Yep, the Islanders are still in Brooklyn. For local fans, there move west remains, perhaps forever so, a sore subject. Indeed, there’s no place like home—and for the Islanders, home is Long Island. But there is good news, in the name of John Tavares. The 26-year-old continues to display remarkable poise, and an innate ability to find the back of the net or a teammate gliding toward the goal. Tavares, who amazingly is already in his eighth season with the team, has surpassed the 500-point mark for his career, with the majority coming on assists. The Ontario native remains the heartbeat of the team. In last year’s playoff run, Tavares displayed an appetite for performing in big moments, scoring six goals and collecting five assists in 11 games. Thanks to his leadership and prowess on the ice, Tavares remains LI’s pick as the Best Islander!
2017: Long Islanders Voted John Tavares Best Islander on Long Island
John Tavares
1255 Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale. 516-794-9300. islanders.nhl.com
Yep, the Islanders are still in Brooklyn. For local fans, there move west remains, perhaps forever so, a sore subject. Indeed, there’s no place like home—and for the Islanders, home is Long Island. But there is good news, in the name of John Tavares. The 26-year-old continues to display remarkable poise, and an innate ability to find the back of the net or a teammate gliding toward the goal. Tavares, who amazingly is already in his eighth season with the team, has surpassed the 500-point mark for his career, with the majority coming on assists. The Ontario native remains the heartbeat of the team. In last year’s playoff run, Tavares displayed an appetite for performing in big moments, scoring six goals and collecting five assists in 11 games. Thanks to his leadership and prowess on the ice, Tavares remains LI’s pick as the Best Islander!
2016: Long Islanders Voted John Tavares Best Islander on Long Island
John Tavares
1255 Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale. 516-794-9300. islanders.nhl.com
The Islanders may have moved a little further west to Brooklyn, but the four-time Stanley Cup champs will always be Long Island’s team—and John Tavares, our hero. The 25-year-old Ontario-native rebounded last year from two injury-plagued seasons and showed that, when healthy, he can produce with the best of them. Tavares, the reigning Best Islander champ, accumulated a career-best 86 points, 38 of which came on goals he scored, also a career high. Tavares’ regular season performance garnered him the third-most points for the Hart Memorial Trophy, which recognizes the most valuable player in the sport. Tavares led his Islanders to the Stanly Cup Playoffs for the first time since the 2012-2013 season. Given the amount of talent on the roster, this is a much-deserved honor for one of the game’s best!
2015: Long Islanders Voted John Tavares Best Islander!
John Tavares
1255 Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale. 516-794-9300. islanders.nhl.com
It appears the Islander’s luck has finally changed and much of the credit goes to John Tavares, who even during the Isles’ down years gave fans something to believe in. The Ontario-native has been unable to play a full regular season schedule the last two seasons, but nevertheless managed to put up impressive numbers. He’s on pace to have his best goal-scoring season yet and will likely be called upon to score a few clutch goals if the Islander manage to advance to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. At only 24, Islanders fans have a lot to look forward to. This coveted honor is a worthy tribute to such an amazing player.
2014: Long Islanders Voted Mike Bossy Best Islander on Long Island!
1. Mike Bossy
1255 Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale. 516-794-9300. islanders.nhl.com
2. Bob Nystrom
3. Denis Potvin
2013: Long Islanders Voted Bob Nystrom Best Islander on Long Island!
1. Bob Nystrom
1255 Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale. 516-794-9300. www.islanders.nhl.com
2. Dennis Potvin
1255 Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale. 516-794-9300. www.islanders.nhl.com
3. Mike Bossy
1255 Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale. 516-794-9300. www.islanders.nhl.com
2012: Long Islanders Voted Bobby Nystrom Best Islander on Long Island!
1. Bobby Nystrom
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum 1535 Old Country Rd.,Plainview. 516-501-6700. Islanders.nhl.com
2. Mike Bossy
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum 1535 Old Country Rd.,Plainview. 516-501-6700. Islanders.nhl.com
3. Dennis Potvin
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum 1535 Old Country Rd.,Plainview. 516-501-6700. Islanders.nhl.com
2011: Long Islanders Voted Bobby Nystrom in Huntington Village Best Islander on Long Island!
1. Bobby Nystrom
www.islanders.nhl.com
2. Pat LaFontaine
www.islanders.nhl.com
3. Mike Bossy
www.islanders.nhl.com