5. First Goal
This is how it all started. New York Islanders goal numero uno, and what a goal it was.
Just three days after making his NHL debut on March 18, 2008, he netted the game-winning goal on the powerplay against Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils.
His route to the big leagues was mired in controversy, though. Unbeknownst to many, Okie left the University of Minnesota after the 2007-08 season, despite protests from school officials that the Isles put him “in a very difficult situation,” and that “we… will continue to work to ensure that our players reach their potential on the ice and in the classroom.”
The school was frustrated that the forward wasn’t given a chance to receive a degree, to which Snow responded that “Quite frankly, we weren’t happy with the program. They have a responsibility to coach, to make Kyle a better player, and they were not doing that.”
