Some familiar faces are back for the New York Islanders in training camp with the inclusion of two of Lou Lamoriello’s new additions.
The New York Islanders first preseason game is in two days, and training camp has been well underway.With the rookie camp ending in a 6-3 loss to the Flyers’ prospects, the vets are back and NHL camp has begun.
Josh Ho-Sang and Kieffer Bellows highlight the list of carry-overs arriving from last week’s camp as familiar faces such as Steve Bernier, Stephen Gionta, and Dennis Seidenberg.
Also joining the Islanders for their NHL training camp are two more executives:
Longtime Lou Lamoriello crony Jacques Lemaire here watching #Isles training camp. He's in Isles gear, too.
Also, looks like ex-Hartford (AHL) coach Ken Gernander has joined the organization as well.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) September 14, 2018
Ken Gernander is an AHL great, retiring with the most Calder Cup playoff games ever played with 123 and most points of any American-born player in league history at the time (both have since been surpassed).
Jacques Lemaire is in the Hockey Hall of Fame and has won eight — eight! — Stanley Cups during his 12 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens. Not much more has to be said apart from that.
The man knows how to win, period.
All week, Islanders rookies and veterans alike have been emphasizing what a difference this season has been last season, and the last couple of seasons.
Casey Cizikas (via Andrew Gross of Newsday) described his eighth NHL training camp: “I feel like I’m a rookie coming into my first camp.” The newly-signed Thomas Hickey (via Brian Compton of NHL.com) said the first day of camp was a “tone setter for the type of work that’s required every day.”
The message is loud and clear, and it’s definitely being received by the team. While it’s important for the veterans to get on board, this is the message that’s being sent to the new generation of players fighting their way through the Islanders’ system for an NHL spot.
Lamoriello has done everything he can to surround the team with success and those who understand what it takes to attain it.
The next week will start to give insight into how the Isles roster will look for the highly anticipated start of October, and a new generation of Islanders hockey.
