Fish Sticks: The Fall and Rise of the New York Islanders (revised and updated edition)

Peter Botte and Alan Hahn

ISBN 10: 1582610991 / ISBN 13: 9781582610993

Published by Sports Publishing, 2003

About this Item

A fine, fresh, unread as-new copy in equally fine dust jacket. First printing of the revised and updated edition for the 2003-04 season. Hardcover. 247 pp. Illustrated with photos. Uncommonly scarce. The New York Islanders NHL hockey team won four straight Stanley Cup championships from 1979-80 through 1982-83, a dynasty that defined greatness. But the dynasty quickly crumbled and one embarrassing incident after another befell the once-mighty Islanders---Kirk Muller balked at being traded to the team; their classic logo was replaced with one ridiculed and causing the team to be named "the Fish Sticks"; a slick con artist bought the team (with charm but little money); they languished through the 90s , missing the playoffs seven consecutive seasons; the miserly owners alienated players so much so that Bryan Trottier blocked the retirement of his jersey. This book, revised for the 2003-04 season, covers a team with a new owner with a desire to return the Islanders to their place of pride.

Seller Inventory # E33903

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Fish Sticks: The Fall and Rise of the New York Islanders (revised and updated edition)
• Publisher: Sports Publishing
• Publication Date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1582610991
• ISBN 13: 9781582610993
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First edition thus.
• Seller catalogs:
  • Sports

About this title

Synopsis

Once upon a time, the New York Islanders were the embodiment of greatness: four-time Stanley Cup champions and a model franchise in the National Hockey League during the early '80s. The dynasty quickly crumbled, however, and the team found itself in a seemingly never-ending freefall. One embarrassing episode after another befell the once-mighty Islanders: Kirk Muller balked at being traded to the team; the team's classic logo was replaced with one that was vehemently ridiculed, earning the team the nickname "Fish Sticks"; a slick con artist managed to buy the team with nothing more than his charm; the team failed to make the playoffs seven seasons in a row as miserly owners purged players salaries; Hall of Fame great Bryan Trottier feuded with the team and blocked the retirement of his jersey; embattled general manager "Mad Mike" Milbury couldn't do anything to get himself fired. Yet, having finally hit bottom after enduring countless trials and near-unbelievable tribulations, the team has begun its climb to the top. New owner Charles Wang has brought not only a desire to return the Islanders to their place of pride, but also the money to do it. The team experienced a remarkable resurgence during the 2001-02 season. Ticket sales have skyrocketed since that breakthrough success, with the team expecting to fight its way back into the playoffs for a second straight season.

About the Author

Alan Hahn has covered the New York Islanders for Newsday in New York for five seasons. He coauthored Fish Sticks: The Fall and Rise of the New York Islanders (Sports Publishing, 2002). In 2000 he won Newsday's Publisher Award in Sportswriting for his coverage of the team. He also won two Press Club of Long Island awards for his work. Hahn grew up on Long Island right along with the Islanders franchise and experienced the Stanley Cup dynasty as a young fan. He played hockey and basketball throughout his childhood and eventually took basketball to the NCAA level at Long Island University-C.W. Post. He now resides in Brentwood, New York, with his wife and two children.