Streit is lucky #13

The Islanders held their 2011-2012 media day today.  They announced their selection for the next Captain.

My prediction for the 13^th Isles captain was Streit.

All Star Defensemen, Mark Streit was named the 13^th Captain in Islanders history today.  This marks the first time a Swiss born player was given the honor in the NHL, much like it was the first time a Swiss born player was selected to an NHL all-star team when he represented the Islanders in 2009.  Streit has captained the Swiss Olympic team and Swiss National teams, so he knows how to inspire and is an experienced leader.

“We have a great chemistry and our future looks bright,” Streit told New York Islanders.com. “The future is now. We want to win games. I think we should put the rebuilding part behind us and go out and show what we can do… We are kind of an underdog but we want to do some damage, we want to win some games.”

Streit was the consensus choice of many fans and bloggers since the summer started.  I wonder if Kyle Okposo is a little down about not being chosen.  If he is, I am sure he would never speak out against the teams decision.  Okposo was my second choice for Captain.  His contributions to a once struggling Islander team and regular hard work on the ice have really made me notice his passion and pride for being an Islander.  I am sure his time will come, even before J.T.  (OK, I was soooo wrong!)

There are several guys who could have been selected, both young and mature.  MacDonald, Nielsen or Tavares are all young players who have shown that they were willing to take on the role of Assistant Captains when called upon and have all developed well over the past few seasons, refining their abilities and making their presence felt in many ways.

Even character guys like Brian Rolston or even Jay Pandolfo and Marty Reasoner, new additions to the team this year are all veteran players and leaders in their own right.

But we will sit back and cheer our team for what we hope will be an exciting year. 

I think 13 could be our lucky number.

Isles Notes:

F Brian Rolston left the ice today with a strained groin.  D Andrew MacDonald is still out with a hip injury and C Marty Reasoner has had knee issues from the start of camp.

MSG Schedule:  http://www.msg.com/our-teams/islanders/islanders-2011-12-season-schedule-1.48856

Rob Carlin won’t be with MSG doing Isles games next season.  He cites he and his wife will have twin girls on the way and he needs to focus on family.  Good Luck Rob.

Dmitry Chesnokov reports that KHL’s CSKA GM Sergei Nemchinov confirmed to SovSport that Alexei Yashin "will become CSKA's player tomorrow."

Newsday is reporting that Architects, engineers, government officials and labor leaders came together today to unveil a new $346.5-million plan for the 77 acres surrounding the Nassau Coliseum designed by architect Angelo Francis Corva of West Hempstead.  The proposal emerged from a task force of the Association for a Better Long Island development group.