In a series of articles, called Isle Be There, my intention
is to focus on the different social groups that support your New York
Islanders team & its players. This will also include current events,
situations and personalities in and around the team as it relates to its fan
base and community.
When
one of my favorite Islanders’ legends agreed to do an interview with me, I was
kind of excited. John Kenneth McDonald
has called hockey his professional career for almost 50 years. From his fabled calls as an Isles
play-by-play announcer to his red carpet work in some of the organization’s
biggest ceremonies at the NVMC, Jiggs is a part of New York sports history that
even younger fans should take the time to learn about. Most fans understand the comradery and the feelings
of a family type atmosphere with each other when attending games. An experience that is strengthened by being
around others who love this team and cheer for them year in and year out, win
or lose. It’s no different for most team
employees or members of the broadcast family.
When I asked about a favorite experience with Islanders fans, Jiggs wasn't able to give just one. “As a family, met so many
wonderful people. People who we stay in
contact with and enjoy spending time with.”
But
as the voice of the New York Islanders for so long, Jiggs has a unique insight
that spans the dynasty years through the trials of the Milbury era and back
again, to what could be another special time in team history. A few days ago, I wrote about the possibility
of Mr. McDonald returning to the booth to replace Howie Rose as a regular for
next season, but then I got the opportunity to ask a few more questions, and I
jumped at the chance.
Knight
of Cups: Who do you see as a potential
candidate for Howie’s long-term replacement? DP is a good choice, but he is more of
a color guy. I asked Jiggs about his feelings on Isles radio host Chris King or former BST radio host Rich Bocchini.
Jiggs:
“At this time I don't know who MSG might
have in mind to replace Howie. Certainly
someone with NHL experience will be a factor.
No doubt they'll conduct a full scale search for a successor. I'm
familiar with Chris' work and of course he will be at the top of the list.”
Chris
King or “Kinger” as he is known in Isles circles has been with the Islanders
radio network since 1998 and has numerous voice-over and radio talents to his
credit. King was quoted as saying
Arbour’s 1,500th game as Islanders head coach was the most memorable moment of
his career. King should be one of the
first guys considered for the job. In my
opinion, Rich Bocchini should be the second.
Or at least the first guy considered to replace King on the radio. Bocchini did play-by-play in Knoxville during
the 2000-01 season. He became the voice
of the top New York Islanders affiliate, BST in 2001-02 and did color for
Worcester with some play-by-play from 02-05. RGV 05-10 PBP. He also did arena
football there. Bocchini toured as a sports anchor for radio and TV in Houston
before his time as an on-air talent for the WWE. Jiggs was quick to point out that, “There are
some very good people working in the AHL and ECHL that might have a shot as
well.”
Jiggs
added, “Selfishly, I wish I was 30 years younger because whoever is chosen to
replace Howie Rose is going to be calling games for a very talented team. A team that is headed in the right direction
and will be a contender for some time.”
Knight
of Cups: What did you think of the Isles first season at the Barclays Center?
Jiggs: “To have a 100 point season while making all
kinds of adjustments in both the work place and daily routine speaks
volumes. Really it's a tribute to the
dedication and accountability of the 2015-16 Islanders. Fans are familiar with the changes they had
to make from the Coliseum to Barclays -- the players, trainers, coaches,
broadcasters, writers etc. were beyond
those. It was a learning experience for
those who handle building operations as well.
From ice conditions to concessions, from fan friendly ushering and game
night presentation, overall it turned out much better than it might have.”
I
regret to say that I wasn’t able to attend a single game last season. It was the first time in several years that I
didn’t get to at least one Isles game despite already having tickets to a few. Unexpected changes to my work schedule and
obligations to my Father prevented me from going, but I was encouraged by the
stories of friends and family about how the atmosphere improved as the season
went on. I hope to catch up with a few
games next season and see some of you around the concourse. Count on it!
Knight
of Cups: What did you think of the
2015-16 team/season?
Jiggs: “It's difficult enough to make the playoffs
in the NHL and to accomplish that in back to back seasons is enough to say it
was a good season for the NY Islanders.
However, when you break it down over the 82 game stretch, there were
stretches when things should have or could have been much better. Dry spells in scoring, defensive lapses and
so on. Protecting a late lead or not
protecting it, and the season could have been a whole lot better in total
points. Some of that carried over into
the playoffs as well.”
In
my opinion, the Islanders will have a partial make-over after falling shorter
than expected this season. After the NHL
Draft, evaluating home free agents and the rest of the talent pool on July 1st
will certainly give the new ownership a chance to change some things about the
team for next season. I’ll have a free
agent feature as well as what we may be able to expect for the Islanders at the
NHL draft in a few weeks.
Knight
of Cups: Who is your Isles team MVP?
Jiggs: “The team MVP for 2015-16 is a tie in my
opinion. 3 way at that. John Tavares is an automatic! The other two are Kyle Okposo and Travis Hamonic. Travis for playing as well as
he did with so much non hockey related things on his mind (especially after his
personal matter became public knowledge) and Kyle without a long term deal in
place as well as being shunted on and off the top line with regularity.”
Knight
of Cups: What Islander surprised you the
most?
Jiggs: “The biggest surprise came late in the season
with the addition of Shane Prince and the speed he brought to the team. The season long surprise was the lack of
progression by Ryan Strome. I felt Ryan
was on the cusp of a breakout year when it became anything but and his
regression was so evident.”
Knight
of Cups: Who has the best team in
hockey?
Jiggs: “The best team in the NHL today, obviously,
is the Washington Capitals. From goal to
the guys who vie to get into the lineup as the 12th forward, they are
deep. But, remember it's not always the
best team who wins, rather the team that is playing the best. St. Louis is in that category out west and
Tampa in the east at the moment.”
Knight
of Cups: Who is the best player in the
NHL?
Jiggs: “The best forward in the league right now has
to be Jamie Benn with Brent Burns as the best D man.”
Knight
of Cups: What free agent would you like
to see on the Islanders next season?
Jiggs: “It wouldn't shock me if the Islanders made a
huge play from Steven Stamkos as free agency looms. A top 4 or 5 forward should be a priority in
my opinion. A talented winger to play
alongside J.T. (either side) Perhaps a Teddy Purcell could be that guy. A trade for someone like Taylor Hall would be
huge as well.”
Stamkos
would be high on everyone’s list. At
least if the uncertainty of his health concerns could be pinned down and
reliably evaluated. My top available guys
at this time would be Backes, Hudler, Lucic or Eriksson for “O” considerations
and probably Russel on D.
Knight
of Cups: Who was/is your favorite
Islander?
Jiggs: “I've never had just one favorite NY
Islander. That said, I've never been
around a NY Islander player that I didn't enjoy spending time with either. If put up against the wall, it would have to
be Clark Gillies. "Jethro"
just had that level of personality to augment his undisputed talent that set
him apart. Just a bit ahead of all the
others including today's squad.”
The
next few questions are ones that only a guy like Jiggs could answer. I hope you enjoy reading his insight as much
as I did bringing it to you.
Knight
of Cups: What was your favorite team
moment?
Jiggs: “My favorite team moment has to be the trip
from Vancouver to New York with the Stanley Cup onboard the flight. The charter flight didn't land till after 7am
following the victory in Vancouver and during the trip every player and team
personnel got to sit with the Cup. In
some cases tears were flowing. It was
that emotional. And it lasted for nearly
6 hours of cross country travel.”
Knight
of Cups: What was your favorite moment
is the Islanders broadcast booth?
Jiggs: “In the booth there were many memorable
moments. From Mike Bossy's 50 in 50, to
the win over Colorado to establish a new NHL record for games without a
loss. The Easter Epic in Washington, the
overtime win in the opening round versus Pittsburgh to eliminate the Penguins
in 1982 --and Pittsburgh comes into play with the 1993 team and that David
Volek overtime goal to win the series in the Igloo. I could on and on and on.”
Knight
of Cups: What was the most interesting
behind the scenes conversation or revelation?
Jiggs: “I'll never forget the travel day to
Pittsburgh for that 1993 series. It came
on the heels of Dale Hunter's vicious attack of Pierre Turgeon. Pierre was lost for the balance of the
playoffs. The team is traveling from
LaGuardia and Coach Al Arbour is sitting by himself in the boarding area. I sat down beside him and offered this: 'if the NHL were to offer -- hypothetically--
the opportunity replace Pierre with any player of your choosing from the Caps,
who would you want?' Without hesitation,
Al responded, Dale Hunter. I was
stunned...and said, Al, for C___sake he just put out your best player ... what
the hey?? and Al said yah, but he wants
to win, will do anything to win.”
Knight
of Cups: What do you think Al Arbour
really meant to the Islanders organization and to the game of hockey?
Jiggs: “Al Arbour, and I've said this many many
times, was a sports psychologist long before we'd ever heard the term. He could read his players like a book, knew
what buttons to push. Had a nickname for
everyone etc. His foresight in putting
together 3 players that would click as a forward line or two defensemen was a
gift. His uncanny ability to motivate
was one thing. The fact he never blew up
on the bench just underscored how the player is an extension of the coach.”
Knight
of Cups: Is there anything you would
like to see changed in the game?
Jiggs: “Respect has to change. The player has to have more respect for the
opponent and you can't make a rule for that. This hitting from behind is total
lack of respect. That's it for playing
rules... except for the red line. Get
that back into the game and we eliminate most of the injuries that are speed
related. I recognize that speed of the
game attracts many fans. However, it was
a better game when players could dictate the speed with a little hook or hold
and the red line dictating offside helped control things.”
Knight
of Cups: What was the proudest moment of
your HHOF career?
Jiggs: “Probably being asked to work the 1988
Olympics on ABC as well as 1992 and 1994 for TNT. Sportschannel America gave me the chance to
do the Stanley Cup playoffs for another 4 years beyond the Islanders Cup
years. SC America also put me in the
booth the night that Wayne Gretzky broke Gordie Howe's scoring record as well.”
Knight
of Cups: When did you know you wanted to
be a broadcaster and who gave you your first break in the field?
Jiggs: “I was probably 8 or 9 when the fascination
with radio made it evident I wanted to try my hand. Graham Gordon hired me right out of high
school, to work at a radio station about 130 miles from my home. So I could jump right in without facing
anyone I knew and learn from mistakes etc.
That was 60 years ago this July.
Then the opportunity to do pxp at the NHL level goes to Jack Kent Cooke
when he hired me as the LA Kings broadcaster in 1967.”
Knight
of Cups: Who has supported you most over
the course of your career?
Jiggs: “My wife has been my biggest supporter. She didn't hesitate when the opportunity to
move from a community of about 20,000 to Los Angeles came about. We left family and friends behind for a whole
new world. We've moved a lot over the
years and she has been by my side throughout along with our two daughters.”
I’d
like to thank Mr. John Kenneth McDonald for lending me his stories and insights
from a storied HHOF career so that I might share them with all who support me
at Knight of Cups.
Thanks
Jiggs.
Isles
Notes:
Brock
Nelson (1 assist) and Team USA fell 7-2 to Russia in the IIHF worlds bronze-medal game.
Thomas
Greiss (33 saves) and Team Germany fell to Russia 4-1 in the IIHF worlds quarterfinals.
Howie
Rose speaks fondly on his 21 years with the Islanders. "The Islanders are a part of me
forever.”
No comments:
Post a Comment