ISLAND SNAPSHOTS: Silli, the Early Years

I tried searching for a photo of Mike Sillinger when he played for his first team, the Detroit Red Wings. But a quick search in the NHL's photo database and Google didn't turn up anything. So here's a photo of Silli when he was with his second team, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He looks pretty young back then in 1995.

BLOG: My Thoughts on Silli

Granted, I haven’t been around hockey too long, but this is my sixth season with the Islanders already. And I can say for certain that Mike Sillinger is one of, if not THE, best guys I’ve worked with so far in my short career.

I stressed the words “worked with” because Silli is the type of guy who will simply work with you. Fans hear stories of how some players don’t get along with their teammates, team employees and/or media – but that’s the exact opposite of Mike Sillinger and what he represents.

For one, he’s never turned down an interview request for me. And for a media relations person like me, he can’t do any wrong in that case! But if something is bothering him or if he sees something is bothering one of his teammates, he’ll simply (and politely) walk over to you to discuss the issues at hand to make the situation better for everyone involved. Team. Staff. Media. Everyone.

And he’s a fun guy to be around, too. He’ll keep the mood light even in tough situations. He’ll always step up to the plate after a bad loss. Sometimes I think that Greg Logan only talks to Silli after a stinker. That’s not the case. But the point is, Silli never backs down when the tough gets going. I’ve never seen him represent the team in anyway other then positive.

Mike is playing in his 1,000th NHL game tonight. It’s only his 92nd as an Islander, but he’s already made a lasting impact on the Island and on me. He’s shown me how true professionals act on and off the ice. And I kind of wish he played all 1,000 games in the Orange and Blue.

ITV REVIEW: 2 Man Advantage

I’ll admit it. When I first met the crew from the 2 Man Advantage I told Islanders TV’s head honcho Josh Bernstein that I wasn’t a fan of the idea. Well Josh, I’m sorry. You were right, I was wrong and I think you struck gold with this one.

The crew of the 2 Man Advantage consists of four hockey/Islanders fans. They go around with their video cameras and (sometimes with a specific plan) shoot what comes to them. What makes it good is that they make it entertaining.

Example: The 2 Man Advantage made a seven minute show from the Islanders’ home opener versus Buffalo back on October 6. From the pre-gamming in the Coliseum’s parking lot to the post-game car jam in the parking lot to post-game celebration at the LI Marriot (where they actually spent real quality time with Entourage’s Kevin Connolly), they covered all the bases. But what made it good is that they didn’t stick a ‘mic into a fan’s face and asked them questions. They not only interacted with the fans, they partied with them.

Bottom line… It was seven minutes of great TV which words pretty much can’t describe because I still don’t completely get what they did/do. But I know I liked it. And no where else can Islanders fans find this stuff about their own team.

I thought their shows were going to be just OK at best. But you can tell how much hard work the 2 Man Advantage puts into their craft. And we thank them for caring about and help promoting the Orange and Blue. Again, I was wrong and you should definitely check them out on Islanders TV.

NYI: Practice @ Iceworks Canceled

Just to let everyone know incase anyone was planning on coming down, the Islanders’ practice at Iceworks in Syosset tomorrow has been canceled. The team is now practicing at the Nassau Coliseum, which is closed to the public due to security concerns. Sorry for the inconvenience.

MEDIA WATCH: Found on the Net - Monday

Over at theglobeandmail.com, blogger James Mirtle compiled a list of NHL attendances by comparing how teams are drawing this year compared to last year. Out of the 30 teams, the Islanders ranked second in the NHL drawing 3,035 more fans on average then last season. Only St. Louis was better. It should be noted that eight teams were at or over capacity last season and did not change this year. New Jersey also has not had a home game yet this season. Click here to read.

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USAToday.com’s AJ Perez sat down with Islanders defensemen Bryan Berard when the team was in the Washington last week. Click here to view Checking in with…, which is a Q&A style article.

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Also on USAToday.com, Kevin Allen wrote a list of NHL General Managers who did the best job of diagnosing their problems and fixing them for this season. He put Islanders GM Garth Snow at the very top of his list. Click here to read it in his blog.

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!

NEWS: The Long Island 495ers

I was at Islanders Iceworks today for practice and I noticed an interesting flyer. It was for tryouts regarding Long Island’s newest hockey team: the Long Island 495ers. (click here for thier website)

No... Not NHL, AHL, ECHL or even major junior ice hockey. Rather, professional inline roller hockey.

The 495ers will play in the PIHA or Professional Inline Hockey Association. According to their website, the “PIHA features close to forty professional teams and close over thirty minor teams throughout the United States. A regular season consists of sixteen home games and sixteen away games.”

The 495ers will play out of Skate Safe America in Old Bethpage, NY.

Very catchy name. I like it. Can’t wait to see the jerseys.

NYI: Neil Everett is an Islanders Fan

ESPN and SportsCenter anchor Neil Everett came to the Islanders/Rangers game last week at the Coliseum to take in an awesome game and participate in Islanders Mean Business Night. Neil must have been swept off his feet by the Orange and Blue… Well, check out this video to see what I’m talking about.



He’s Neil Everett and he’s an Islander.

NYI-NYR Match-Up Earns Top Rating

I know this is a little late to the game, but for those who didn't see this yet it's pretty good stuff.

RANGERS-ISLANDERS GAME EARNS VERSUS ITS TOP N.Y.-AREA NHL RATING

Versus received a 1.8 HH rating in the N.Y. market for its telecast of the Rangers-Islanders game on Wednesday night, making it the best N.Y. market rating ever for an NHL telecast on the network. The game was also up 157% from the same matchup last season on March 5 (Versus).

MEDIA WATCH: Mike and Mike

I found these two stories on the old internet today. The first one is a good story written about Mike Dunham and his transition into being a goaltending coach. Click here to read.

The other is a funny read from north of the border about TSN.ca reporter James Duthie’s take on Mike Comrie and his friend Hilary Duff. Click here to read.

Enjoy your football today.