The Oral History of the New York Islanders 1972-1984: A Dynasty Forged in Blood, Sweat, and Tears

Dynasty: The Oral History of the New York Islanders, 1972-1984

by Greg Prato

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4479 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	412 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The New York Islanders are one of the most successful teams in NHL history. They have won four Stanley Cups, all of which came in a row from 1980 to 1983. This oral history tells the story of that dynasty, from its humble beginnings to its ultimate triumph.

The Early Years

The Islanders were founded in 1972 as part of the NHL's expansion into the New York metropolitan area. The team's early years were tough. They finished last in their division in each of their first three seasons. But in 1975, they made their first playoff appearance. They lost in the first round, but it was a sign of things to come.

The Dynasty Years

In 1977, the Islanders hired Al Arbour as their head coach. Arbour was a no-nonsense coach who demanded a lot from his players. He also had a knack for getting the most out of them. Under Arbour's leadership, the Islanders became one of the most dominant teams in the NHL.

The Islanders won their first Stanley Cup in 1980. They followed that up with three more championships in 1981, 1982, and 1983. The Islanders' dynasty was built on a number of factors, including:

• Strong goaltending: Billy Smith was one of the best goaltenders in the NHL during the Islanders' dynasty. He was a big, physical presence in net, and he was known for his ability to make big saves in key moments.
• Solid defense: The Islanders had a number of great defensemen during their dynasty, including Denis Potvin, Dave Langevin, and Ken Morrow. These players were all great skaters and puck-movers, and they were able to shut down the opposition's top players.
• High-scoring offense: The Islanders had a number of great offensive players during their dynasty, including Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier, and John Tonelli. These players were all able to put the puck in the net, and they were a major reason for the Islanders' success.
• Team chemistry: The Islanders were a close-knit team, and they were always willing to sacrifice for each other. This team chemistry was a major factor in their success.

The Breakup of the Dynasty

The Islanders' dynasty came to an end in 1984. The team lost in the Stanley Cup Finals to the Edmonton Oilers, and they never reached the same heights again. A number of factors contributed to the breakup of the dynasty, including:

• Age: The Islanders' core players were all getting older, and they were starting to decline. This was especially true of Billy Smith, who was in his late 30s.
• Injuries: The Islanders were also plagued by injuries during the mid-1980s. This made it difficult for them to field a consistent lineup.
• Salary cap: The NHL introduced a salary cap in 1984. This made it difficult for the Islanders to keep all of their star players.

The Legacy of the Dynasty

The New York Islanders' dynasty was one of the most dominant in NHL history. The team won four Stanley Cups in a row, and they were always a contender for the championship. The Islanders' dynasty is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and talent of the players, coaches, and management who were involved.

The Islanders' dynasty is also a reminder that all good things must come to an end. The team's success was built on a number of factors, and when those factors changed, so did the team's fortunes. But the Islanders' dynasty will always be remembered as one of the greatest in NHL history.

Interviews

The following interviews were conducted with former New York Islanders players, coaches, and management:

• Billy Smith, goaltender: "We had a great team. We had a lot of talent, and we worked hard for each other. We were always confident that we could win, no matter who we were playing."
• Denis Potvin, defenseman: "We were a close-knit team. We all hung out together, and we always had each other's backs. That's what made us so successful."
• Mike Bossy, forward: "We had a lot of fun. We were all young, and we were all hungry to win. We knew that we had something special, and we wanted to make the most of it."
• Al Arbour, head coach: "I'm proud of what we accomplished. We won four Stanley Cups, and we were always a contender. But it wasn't just about the wins. It was about the people. We had a great group of guys, and we had a lot of fun together."

The New York Islanders' dynasty was a special time in the history of hockey. The team won four Stanley Cups in a row, and they were always a contender for the championship. The Islanders' dynasty is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and talent of the players, coaches, and management who were involved.

Dynasty: The Oral History of the New York Islanders, 1972-1984

by Greg Prato

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4479 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	412 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE