Looking at the Islanders draft picks from the 2003 Draft and you can think to yourself what could have been. Jeremy Colliton (2nd round , 58th overall) still has potential to be an NHLer (even though he’s now in Europe) and the team struck gold with Bruno Gervais in the sixth round. But looking at where the team picked and who was picked right after, you can’t help but wonder what-if.
Aside from the Nilsson-Bernier-Parise slide in the first round, there are three more occurrences very similar later in the draft.
In the second round, the Islanders took a flyer on a Russian named Dmitri Chernykh at 48. Nashville picked Shea Weber at 49.
In the seventh round, the Islanders drafted Denis Rehak at 212. At 214 Edmonton grabbed Kyle Brodziak.
In the eighth round, the Islanders selected Cody Blanshan at 238. Atlanta took YoungStar Tobias Enstrom at 239.
Any draft could be labeled as missed opportunities for almost any team. If a team drafts two players that make a significant impact per draft, they did well. But the 2003 draft just makes you scratch your head. Probably just bad luck.
Luckily for the Islanders, it seems like they’ve righted their drafting ship in recent years, a big credit to Assistant GM Ryan Jankowski.
Showing posts with label Bruno Gervais. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bruno Gervais. Show all posts
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Bruno Nominated for 10th Annual NHL Foundation Player Award
I know we’re not shy to hide the fact that Bruno Gervais is really one of the best guys in professional sports. A few weeks ago, the Islanders nominated Bruno for the 10th Annual NHL Foundation Player Award. That’s an award that is designed to promote the charitable efforts of current NHL players and to reward the player that best exemplifies a commitment to the community in which he lives. The NHL donates $25,000 to the players charity of choice.
Now why Bruno?
Islanders community relations coordinator Ann Rina wrote this letter to the NHL:
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Dear NHL Foundation Player Award Committee:
Since 1972, the New York Islanders have been a fixture in the Long Island community and a champion of charitable causes. It is through this dedication that the Islanders Children’s Foundation was created in the summer of 2003.
While every season, the entire Islanders organization shows a strong commitment to the Long Island community, one player that has gone above and beyond the call of duty is defenseman Bruno Gervais.
Despite being in the NHL for only two and half seasons, Bruno already embodies the spirit of the NHL Foundation by applying the core values of hockey-commitment, perseverance and teamwork to the people of Long Island.
Bruno knows how impressionable children are (he has said that if he wasn’t playing professional hockey, he’d be a teacher) and each year he makes it a point to visit local schools. During this year’s New York Islanders Literacy Day, he joined with his teammates in visiting local elementary schools to read to students and explain the importance of literacy and education.
He also took the time this season to visit local middle schools to talk about the importance of teamwork and how the importance of working together to achieve a common goal. Later this month, Bruno will be the post-game guest speaker at French Student Night at the Coliseum.
Bruno has made multiple visits to Schneider Children’s Hospital throughout the season going from room to room to give the children some hope and happiness. While he connected with many patients, one little boy really bonded with Bruno. The boy had just received a bone marrow transplant and had no real understanding of hockey. But as Bruno has such great way of connecting with children, when Bruno returned with his teammates a month later, he was only interested in seeing Bruno!
The past two seasons Bruno has connected with one of Long Island’s largest not for profit organizations, The American Red Cross. As an active member of The Red Cross Community, Bruno is currently featured in an informative Red Cross video and in the off-season traveled down from his home in Montreal to participate in one of their major events called the “Swim Across.” Bruno greeted and thanked each person for coming out to the event that day. The strong connection between Bruno and the Red Cross also led to a major fundraising event at an Islanders game this season where Bruno stayed after the game to meet the fans that participated.
At the beginning of the season Bruno showed his support for Long Island’s Volunteer Fire Departments by visiting a local a fire department with his fellow defenseman Chris Campoli. The pair learned what it takes to be firefighters and was featured in videos promoting “Firefighter Appreciation Night” on Islanders TV and in game at the Nassau Coliseum.
Bruno is also doing his part to help to grow the game of hockey here on Long Island by attending countless ticketing and youth hockey events where he will sign autographs, take pictures and give youth players encouragement and tips on how to improve their game.
There is no doubt that Bruno Gervais has increased his commitment to the people of Long Island. Bruno not only uses the core values of hockey on the ice but everyday of his life. There are numerous people on Long Island that have been positively affected by Bruno this past year, and I know that each year that number will increase. He has truly earned the respect of many Long Islanders and he strongly deserves to be nominated for this great award. I ask that you review this presentation carefully and realize that it takes someone special to touch the lives of so many in such a short amount of time. Bruno Gervais has become an integral part of the Islanders team and he will continue to enrich the lives of the people he encounters for years to come as a member of the New York Islanders.
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You can also watch a video produced by Islanders TV (Click here to watch) that was also included with his nomination. The nomination package that Ann put together also included letters from organizations and people that Bruno has worked closely with.
Earlier this season, Bruno and Pittsburgh Penguins forward Maxime Talbot created the Gervais-Talbot Foundation. Many raised will go to foundations that both players work closely with. The foundation will be holding a golf outing this summer in Montreal to raise money for the foundation.
And why Bruno? Well, he set up his own school assembly visit earlier in the year and was planning on doing everything himself before Ann stepped in to offer up her help.
That’s just the type of person Bruno is.
Now why Bruno?
Islanders community relations coordinator Ann Rina wrote this letter to the NHL:
--------
Dear NHL Foundation Player Award Committee:
Since 1972, the New York Islanders have been a fixture in the Long Island community and a champion of charitable causes. It is through this dedication that the Islanders Children’s Foundation was created in the summer of 2003.
While every season, the entire Islanders organization shows a strong commitment to the Long Island community, one player that has gone above and beyond the call of duty is defenseman Bruno Gervais.
Despite being in the NHL for only two and half seasons, Bruno already embodies the spirit of the NHL Foundation by applying the core values of hockey-commitment, perseverance and teamwork to the people of Long Island.
Bruno knows how impressionable children are (he has said that if he wasn’t playing professional hockey, he’d be a teacher) and each year he makes it a point to visit local schools. During this year’s New York Islanders Literacy Day, he joined with his teammates in visiting local elementary schools to read to students and explain the importance of literacy and education.
He also took the time this season to visit local middle schools to talk about the importance of teamwork and how the importance of working together to achieve a common goal. Later this month, Bruno will be the post-game guest speaker at French Student Night at the Coliseum.
Bruno has made multiple visits to Schneider Children’s Hospital throughout the season going from room to room to give the children some hope and happiness. While he connected with many patients, one little boy really bonded with Bruno. The boy had just received a bone marrow transplant and had no real understanding of hockey. But as Bruno has such great way of connecting with children, when Bruno returned with his teammates a month later, he was only interested in seeing Bruno!
The past two seasons Bruno has connected with one of Long Island’s largest not for profit organizations, The American Red Cross. As an active member of The Red Cross Community, Bruno is currently featured in an informative Red Cross video and in the off-season traveled down from his home in Montreal to participate in one of their major events called the “Swim Across.” Bruno greeted and thanked each person for coming out to the event that day. The strong connection between Bruno and the Red Cross also led to a major fundraising event at an Islanders game this season where Bruno stayed after the game to meet the fans that participated.
At the beginning of the season Bruno showed his support for Long Island’s Volunteer Fire Departments by visiting a local a fire department with his fellow defenseman Chris Campoli. The pair learned what it takes to be firefighters and was featured in videos promoting “Firefighter Appreciation Night” on Islanders TV and in game at the Nassau Coliseum.
Bruno is also doing his part to help to grow the game of hockey here on Long Island by attending countless ticketing and youth hockey events where he will sign autographs, take pictures and give youth players encouragement and tips on how to improve their game.
There is no doubt that Bruno Gervais has increased his commitment to the people of Long Island. Bruno not only uses the core values of hockey on the ice but everyday of his life. There are numerous people on Long Island that have been positively affected by Bruno this past year, and I know that each year that number will increase. He has truly earned the respect of many Long Islanders and he strongly deserves to be nominated for this great award. I ask that you review this presentation carefully and realize that it takes someone special to touch the lives of so many in such a short amount of time. Bruno Gervais has become an integral part of the Islanders team and he will continue to enrich the lives of the people he encounters for years to come as a member of the New York Islanders.
--------
You can also watch a video produced by Islanders TV (Click here to watch) that was also included with his nomination. The nomination package that Ann put together also included letters from organizations and people that Bruno has worked closely with.
Earlier this season, Bruno and Pittsburgh Penguins forward Maxime Talbot created the Gervais-Talbot Foundation. Many raised will go to foundations that both players work closely with. The foundation will be holding a golf outing this summer in Montreal to raise money for the foundation.
And why Bruno? Well, he set up his own school assembly visit earlier in the year and was planning on doing everything himself before Ann stepped in to offer up her help.
That’s just the type of person Bruno is.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
MORNING SKATE: Kings at Isles
The flu bug hasn’t hit the NYI Media Blog (yet, knock on wood..), so here are some notes from the morning skate…
- Wade Dubielewicz will get the start in net tonight. With Rick DiPietro getting over the flu, he’ll likely back-up tonight. For the Kings, expect Jason LaBarbera to start.
- Ruslan Fedotenko (flu) is very questionable/doubtful for tonight’s game. Andy Sutton (flu) will be a game-time decision. Every other skater, according to Ted Nolan, is healthy and able to play.
- Islanders assistant coach Gerard Gallant made his return to the team after battling through the stomach flu/virus.
- At 12:15, Islanders defenseman Bruno Gervais will be guest of Billy Jaffe on the radio show, NHL Live. You can find it on XM 204.
- Dan Rosen from NHL.com came to the skate this morning. Amongst the Islanders players he spoke to were Bill Guerin and Blake Comeau. Expect a feature on Comeau soon.
- Longtime Islanders radio analyst Chris King will take part in his 1,000th Islanders radio broadcast. That includes time as the engineer, intermission/post-game host and in-game duties. Congratulations, Kinger!
- Amongst the hot topics with the media this morning was Britney Spears being admitted for psychiatric treatment. Islanders radio play-by-play man Steve Mears admitted that her 2002 concert in Louisiana was the best concert he’s ever been to. Really Steve? Really? ...
- Wade Dubielewicz will get the start in net tonight. With Rick DiPietro getting over the flu, he’ll likely back-up tonight. For the Kings, expect Jason LaBarbera to start.
- Ruslan Fedotenko (flu) is very questionable/doubtful for tonight’s game. Andy Sutton (flu) will be a game-time decision. Every other skater, according to Ted Nolan, is healthy and able to play.
- Islanders assistant coach Gerard Gallant made his return to the team after battling through the stomach flu/virus.
- At 12:15, Islanders defenseman Bruno Gervais will be guest of Billy Jaffe on the radio show, NHL Live. You can find it on XM 204.
- Dan Rosen from NHL.com came to the skate this morning. Amongst the Islanders players he spoke to were Bill Guerin and Blake Comeau. Expect a feature on Comeau soon.
- Longtime Islanders radio analyst Chris King will take part in his 1,000th Islanders radio broadcast. That includes time as the engineer, intermission/post-game host and in-game duties. Congratulations, Kinger!
- Amongst the hot topics with the media this morning was Britney Spears being admitted for psychiatric treatment. Islanders radio play-by-play man Steve Mears admitted that her 2002 concert in Louisiana was the best concert he’s ever been to. Really Steve? Really? ...
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
MORNING SKATE: Habs at Isles
The Islanders are back at home tonight at the Coliseum to take on the Montreal Canadiens. Here are some notes from the morning skate…
- Ted Nolan told the media that Ruslan Fedotenko is fine and will be in the lineup tonight after taking a blow to the head in Ottawa.
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- Is No. 8 No. 1? With injuries to Brendan Witt and Radek Martinek (the team’s top two defensemen), Nolan praised the play of Bruno Gervais by calling him the team’s best defenseman over the past few games. Nolan’s trust in Bruno definitely shows on the ice.
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- With tonight’s game being broadcasted nationally on Versus, Joe Beninati was speaking to Rick DiPietro following the skate. He asked Rick how many sets of pads he goes through in a season thinking it was three or four, but was shocked when Rick said “Between 25 and 30”. Responded Joe: “30! Wow!” Rick apparently doesn’t like it when the pads get too worn in a broken down.
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Beninati, who calls the play-by-play action for the Washington Capitals, will be joined in the broadcast booth by Eddie Olczyk. Rounding out the three-man crew will be the Islanders own Billy Jaffe, who will be their roving reporter tonight.
This is some nice vacation for Howie Rose, but if there is anyone in this business who deserves a break every once in a while, it’s him. If you think about it, between the Mets and Islanders, he hardly gets a break! We miss you, Howie!
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The match-up in goal tonight is Rick DiPietro for the Islanders and Christobal Huet for the Canadiens.
- Ted Nolan told the media that Ruslan Fedotenko is fine and will be in the lineup tonight after taking a blow to the head in Ottawa.
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- Is No. 8 No. 1? With injuries to Brendan Witt and Radek Martinek (the team’s top two defensemen), Nolan praised the play of Bruno Gervais by calling him the team’s best defenseman over the past few games. Nolan’s trust in Bruno definitely shows on the ice.
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- With tonight’s game being broadcasted nationally on Versus, Joe Beninati was speaking to Rick DiPietro following the skate. He asked Rick how many sets of pads he goes through in a season thinking it was three or four, but was shocked when Rick said “Between 25 and 30”. Responded Joe: “30! Wow!” Rick apparently doesn’t like it when the pads get too worn in a broken down.
-----
Beninati, who calls the play-by-play action for the Washington Capitals, will be joined in the broadcast booth by Eddie Olczyk. Rounding out the three-man crew will be the Islanders own Billy Jaffe, who will be their roving reporter tonight.
This is some nice vacation for Howie Rose, but if there is anyone in this business who deserves a break every once in a while, it’s him. If you think about it, between the Mets and Islanders, he hardly gets a break! We miss you, Howie!
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The match-up in goal tonight is Rick DiPietro for the Islanders and Christobal Huet for the Canadiens.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
ISLAND SNAPSHOTS: Bruno & Campy=Firefighters
You might have seen Island Snapshots in the first three editions of Islanders Illustrated. Well, now I’m bringing by photo-eye to my blog.
In honor of Firefighters Appreciation Night, here are two photos from when Islanders defensemen Chris Campoli and Bruno Gervais went to a local East Meadow Firehouse.
Enjoy!
In honor of Firefighters Appreciation Night, here are two photos from when Islanders defensemen Chris Campoli and Bruno Gervais went to a local East Meadow Firehouse.
Enjoy!
Saturday, September 8, 2007
NYI: A Great Day at the Coli
It was a beautiful morning and it was great to see so many Islanders fans back at the Coliseum. Bruno, Dubie and Richard Park were awesome with the Orange and Blue supporters and you can really see each patron become a huge fan of each guy as they moved up and down the line talking to each and every one of them.Looks like Islanders TV got some good stuff with Bruno, which should be very funny. So you’ll want to look out for that in the next few days.
Weirdest story of the day: A San Jose Sharks fan from Philadelphia drove up I-95 to purchase tickets to the Sharks/Islanders game on February 18th. Only problem was that only first-half tickets went on sale today. Fret not, the NYI ticket staff took his information so he won’t have to make the drive back up when second-half tickets actually do go on sale.
Thanks to all the fans who came down.
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