As part of a weekly NYIC historical look back. This week we see the #4 all time Islander as documented in the NY Islanders GameTime magazine from 2000.


No one was more of a competitor than Billy Smith, the man who anchored our 4 Cups. Never bowed to pressure of any kind, either opponents or the media. A great Islander and HOFer.

Billy Smith...#31...words and numbers...blah, blah, blah. Simply put, there is no other keeper you would want guarding your net once the playoffs started. End of story.

P.S. Yes, I am obviously biased...but he should be #1!

They should all be #1. At least Smith, Potvin, Trottier and Bossy.

Ask yourself this. If anyone of them is not in the equation, do we win 4 straight cups?

Probably not but wasn't Bossy injured for a number of games during one of the Cup runs? Yes, they were all critical to our success...as were Nystrom, Tonelli, Goring...but Smitty was extraordinary come playoff time. Some one do me a favor and remind me of the numbers he put up when we swept (ahhh...love that word) Edmonton.

I do not recall Bossy being injured outside of the usual bumps and bruise's during the 4 Cups.

By 84' entire team was hurting

Can not find individual stats of Bossy just on 83' Edmonton sweep.


BOSSY'S TOTAL for 1983 PLAYOFFS
17 GOALS
6 PPG
10 ASSISTS
5 GWG


BOB BOURNE LED TEAM IN POINTS IN 83'PLAYOFFS WITH 28 POINTS
:cup: :cup: :cup: :cup:

Wow LEDZEP, that was intelligent and informative. That wasnt so hard was it?



LEDZEP you are correct.
:applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :applaud:

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:
:applaud: :applaud: :applaud:



:rotflmao:

I should've seen that response coming. :bag:

:yes:

I am issuing a challenge: Find out who comprised the rest of this list from 16-20. I remember most just a few points that I can't. Think it went something like this: Unsure of 16-20)
6) Nystrom
7) LaFontaine
8) Tonelli
9) B. Sutter
10) Bourne
11) Goring
12) Turgeon
13) Morrow
14) Palffy
15) Persson

16) Westfall? (might have been 18)
17) Resch
Think Flatley 18?, TJonsson 19? KJonsson & Hrudey tied for 20 cause they wanted a then current Islander on the list.

Wow... what a postfull!!!

YOU ARE INTELLIGIBLE, SIR!!!
:applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :applaud:

I never hear Tonelli mentioned. Was I the only Tonelli fan during the glory days?! I think he made a significant contribution. Maybe not one of the 5 Greatest, but an integral part of the team. Anybody else remember Tonelli?!

Funny, HP. I'd rate Tonelli equal or next after Nystrom. A better hockey player than Nystrom but together I dont think there is a hockey player on earth who would want to faceoff against them.

AHHH BATTLIN' BILLY AND BATTLESHIP KELLY

MAN I REMEMBER A GAME AT THE COLISEUM

WHERE SMITH GOT HIS HOOKS ON KELLY

AND BEAT HIS ASS FROM THE END OF THE ISLANDER ICE

DOWN TO THE FLYERS END

STRIPPED DOWN AND BLOODY

SMITTY NEVER BACKED DOWN FROM ANYONE

IT WAS ALMOST UNFAIR WHEN HE'D FIGHT ANOTHER GOALIE

HE LIKED THE "MAIN EVENTS"

I certainly was a fan of all the "big" guys on that Islander team. But John Tonelli was always, and still is my favorite....ever!!!

Tonelli's goal Vs. Pitt in OT-------81'

WITH 5 MINUTES TO GO Mike McKuWEN MADE IT 3-2

THEN Tonelli TIED IT UP.


THEN JT IN OT---------JIGGS CALLED IT

AFTER May 24, 1980 maybe the greatest game and goal ever in Islander history.

:cup: :cup: :cup: :cup:

John Tonelli
:WORSHIP: :WORSHIP:

WAS AT THAT GAME

WHEN IT WAS OVER

ALL YOU DID WAS COLLAPSE INTO YOUR SEAT

SAYING DAMN THAT WAS CLOSE

I loved Tonelli while he was with the Isles...I consider him top 10 all time Isles easily. I was heartbroken when he was traded to Calgary...one of the worst trades in Islander history...think got Rich Kromm & someone else.

I believe the other guy was Steve Konroyd

:yes:

i think everyone takes tonelli for granted because he was just too reliable, when the bigger names had an off night Jonh Tonelli picked up the slack, he just worked all the time, never needed to me motivated never needed to be recognized just wanted to win, now thats a great attitude, i think you would be hard pressed to find that anywhere in the NHL today

I was too young for the dynasty years but my dad always talks about Tonelli and how underrated he is and always talks about how his number should be retired. I hope that after Bob Bourne night they decide to have a John Tonelli night.

Zep, the Tonelli Pittsburgh miracle was 82 not 81. That game made me believe that absolutely anything can happen in sports. By the way Smitty I know Bossy played in that series with a torn ligament in his knee , to the best of my memory he didnt miss any games though. He actually injured the knee in the regular season finale. I also remember Boss missing the first game of the Finals in '83 vs Edmonton. I remember the reason he missed the game was very mysterious with rumors ranging from the flu, a torn knee and even an injured testicle !

Roo you are correct ~~~ April 13, 1982
:applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :applaud:

I had to do that, it felt so good


SEE YOU ALL AGAIN REAL SOON !
:rocker:

I recall Boss had tonsillitis or a nasty flu bug. Either way, the story goes, Boss tried to board the team bus to Northlands Coliseum, Al took one look at him, and told him to go to bed. Great to see him back in the organization. Still the greatest ever.

But, getting back on topic, Tonelli was amazing too. He played on Gordie Howe's line in Houston when the Aeros were among the WHA's elite. Incredible hard work. Watch Kenny Morrow's OT goal in the '84 playoffs again and watch how Tonelli keeps the puck in the zone, basically by tripping a Ranger with his *head*. But more than hard work, Tonelli had great hands, especially with Nystrom and with Brent and Boss too. He scored over 100 points one year, still a record for NYI left wings I believe. And remember his play in the '84 Canada Cup? That team had Gretzky and Bossy, and yet Tonelli was named the MVP. Also, he played until they stole his skates from him. I remember seeing him in Quebec and Chicago jerseys, for chrissakes.

When the veterans committee gets back to work, Tonelli should make the hall. If 50-goal a year loafers like Shutt and Federko are hall of famers, J.T. with his heart and hands should be there too easily.

Great point on Tonelli's part on the Morrow goal Dr G. You know who else played a big role on that goal.....Patrick Flatley. If you notice on the replay he trips near the face -off circle inadvertently screening Hanlon. There's no way a shot like that should go in from that far out during OT (unless DiPietro is in net) :)

I really cant understand why #27 hasnt been hoisted. Its also kind of ironic that the next Islander to wear that jersey regularly was Derek King! Talk about polar opposites. At least Peca ended up doing the number proud for a year or two.