An independent blog on the New York Islanders, the NHL and AHL by a guy from New York.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

An Isles Legend Retires and A Partnership Announced



In 1991, the New York Islanders selected Zigmund Palffy 26th overall in the second round of the NHL entry draft.  Palffy showed his skill in the minors playing in the now defunct IHL for the Salt Lake Golden Eagles and Denver Grizzlies the following year.  I would just like to mention that I proudly have a #68 Palffy Grizzlies jersey in my collection.  Well today, Palffy has announced his retirement from pro hockey. 
To those fans who didn't get to see him play, I am sorry you missed him.  He was something special to watch.


As an Islander during the dreaded fish-stick era, Palffy was able to become an elite talent in the NHL.  Per islanders.nhl.com, "The Skalica, Slovakia native led the team in goals and points in three consecutive seasons from 1995-98, setting career highs in goals (48) and points (90) during the 1996-97 campaign.

In six seasons with the Islanders, Palffy posted 331 points (168 goals, 163 assists) in 331 games. His 0.51 goals per game with the Islanders rank fourth in franchise history, while his 1.00 points per game are good for fifth."


Ziggy Palffy had little trouble finding teams that wanted his services.  The Islanders traded Palffy with Goalie Prospect, Marcel Cousineau (whose Lowell Lock Monsters jersey I also own.), Bryan Smolinsky and a 4th round pick (Daniel Johansson) to the LA Kings for Josh Green, Olli Jokinen, Mathieu Biron and a 1st round pick in 1999 (Taylor Pyatt).

Palffy has played in both the Czech. & Slovak Pro leagues along with his IHL and NHL (Isles, Kings, Penguins) tours.  As a pro, Zigmund Palffy scored 329 and 384 for 713 pts. in 684 gp.  He has been selected to four (97,98,01,02) NHL all-star games and competed and medaled in several international tournaments including the Olympics, Juniors, World Championships & World Cup.


All Palffy did was score big goals when called upon everywhere he played.  As a fan favorite on the Island, Palffy gave Isles fans a glimmer of hope during a very dark period in the teams history.  Zigmund Palffy was a very good player, even a great player at times.  I was a big fan of his and I want to thank him for his tenure on Long Island in the Mike Milbury era, where he almost became a Ranger!  You can find Stories galore about Palffy in a must read for all Isles fans called, FISH STICKS, the fall and rise of the New York Islanders by Peter Botte and Alan Hahn.


Palffy played with everything he had for Isles fans.  He was a classy player who was loved by the fans and who was appreciated for how hard he fought to win while he played here. 


Thanks Ziggy.  It was a pleasure.


In team news, the New York Islanders announced an affiliation agreement with the ECHL's Stockton Thunder today.  The Thunder will join the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) as a primary minor league affiliate. 



A winning culture is necessary starting at the ECHL level.  It will help the Isles top prospects learn the system and gain experience while playing for the Isles organization, even before playing at the AHL level. 



"Since their 2005-06 inaugural season, the Thunder have qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs seven consecutive times, from 2007-13. In 2012-13, the Thunder finished second in the Western Conference’s Pacific Division and made it to the Kelly Cup Finals before falling in five games to the Reading Royals. The Thunder play at Stockton Arena in Stockton, CA."






Isles Notes:

MEET CAL CLUTTERBUCK! One of the newest Isles will host an autograph signing at the NVMC Team Store on Tuesday, Aug. 6.



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