Labor Day weekend has traditionally been known as the final weekend of summer. It’s fitting that a long summer of parties ends with a 3-day weekend full of the same. Fire up the BBQ and grille some hot dogs and hamburgers one last time - they just don’t taste the same during the winter. Labor Day weekend also means that hockey is right around the corner.

As you are reading this, teams around the league are making final arrangements and roster adjustments for their annual pre-season training camps. These camps will help the coaching staff determine a final roster - and whip the team into playing shape. For our Islanders, this year’s camp starts on September 14 and runs through the 23rd, and will be held in Moncton, British Columbia.

A quick recap of the important camp notes; Sean Bergenheim will rejoin the Islanders, having resigned at the start of the summer. Wade Dubielewicz has his first one-way NHL contract and will back-up DiPietro. Kyle Okposo - WILL NOT be coming to camp, having decided to play one more year of collegiate hockey. Chris Campoli and Bruno Gervais look to both play a full season with the big club. As I posted previously, Bryan Berard and Gordie Dwyer have been extended tryout invitations. Jeff Tambellini and Frans Nielsen will be among forwards battling for a roster spot. Chris Simon has been resigned, as has Trent Hunter. Let’s not forget all the new faces making their first Isles Camp appearances; Bill Guerin, Mike Comrie, Jon Sim, Ruslan Fedotenko, Josef Vasicek, and Andy Sutton.

All in all, it looks like it will be a very intense, competitive camp which should make for some interesting pre-season games. I know I am amped up about things to come - bring on the cool weather and loud nights at the old barn. I can’t wait to see what happens with our roster - as it still may change before camp even starts.

Enjoy the holiday weekend, and be safe.

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While this is a bit of old news, on July 14th the New York Islanders website went mobile. The mobile site is a stripped down version of the main site where mobile phone users can visit via their cellular devices, such as Pocket PC’s, Blackberry’s and other Smartphone’s.

As a Windows Mobile user myself (Cingular 8525), I constantly check the Isles site and many other hockey sites for updates throughout the day. I also rely on my device for email, as well as updating Islesblogger on the go.

I wanted to make this post for the other mobile users out there. If there was ever a time when you couldn’t get to a radio or a computer to listen to a radio station - you can now listen to almost any feed in the US and Canada through Tuned.mobi. I am talking any of the sports channels - from The FAN (WFAN) to FAN590 in Toronto. I suggest checking it out when you have the chance.

One other area where a mobile device comes in handy is if you also happen to be a Slingbox owner. Last December I purchased a Slingbox because work sent me to the Caribbean for 10 days (to work on some A/C equipment on a resort island). Being my first year with season tickets - I did not want to miss any games (even though I set the DVR). With my Slingbox, I got to watch all the games right on my laptop. Once I purchased my phone, I also purchased the Mobile Sling player. Since then, if I wasn’t near a TV - I was able to watch right on my phone. Slingbox is the perfect investment for any sport fan in my opinion.

If by chance you have a different tip to follow on your mobile device - email me the tip, and I will make an update. You can simply click on the Mobile Updates category to the right to see all the posts related to mobile.

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Word on the street is that tough guy Gordie Dwyer has been invited to Isles camp. It is likely however that this invite is to fill a roster spot down in Bridgeport rather than the big club. Mind you this is just a rumor right now.

This was worthy to note because the following bruisers are currently on the Bridgeport roster: Jackman, Bootland, and Pitton. I think it’s safe to say that the Isles organization does not want any of their prospects pushed around. This should enable the kids to learn the Ted Nolan grit system early on if anything. I think I may just have to follow Bridgeport a little closer this year.

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While browsing the forums at NYIslanderscountry I found this Youtube video linked. Apparently it was posted on another message board - figured I would share.

I thought the commercial was great - I can certainly see myself enjoying these commercials more then the ones last season. The whole “And I am an Islander” thing has way more appeal when Christie says it, that's for sure!

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Fresh on the heels of my PR post from last night - we can build upon what I had spoken about with this latest news. Long Island’s own Christie Brinkley, a regular at Isles games throughout last season - is featured in a brand new Islanders television commercial.

The commercial will begin to air locally Friday morning and will be on an array of different channels. If you watch Extra on NBC regularly, you can catch a sneak peak at 7pm Eastern or head to the Islanders website - you can view it on iTV on Friday morning as well.

Christie Brinkley has had a very good relationship with the Islanders organization as of late, she has blogged for the Isles website, made in-game appearances and now commercials. You know the old saying - Sex Sells? I am pretty sure that’s the idea here, and as a guy - well I don’t really have a problem with that. I love seeing people who I don’t associate with hockey doing things for the sport - because once again, this increases awareness of the sport and the Islanders.

One extra little tidbit, Brinkley is set to drop the ceremonial first puck the first home game of the season. That should add to an already exciting night in which we are all anticipating. Should you want to read a bit more about Christie Brinkley, check the entry on Wikipedia.

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I am about to jump head first into an area I never really paid very close attention to - Customer Relations, or PR - whatever you really want to call it.

Now that I am going into my second year as a season ticket holder, I guess I started to notice the things that the organization (and those around the league for that matter) do to keep the fans happy. The Islanders have really been buttering up the fans as of late, which should help to bring in old and new fans alike.

In the past few months alone, let’s look at some of the great things that have come out of the Isles organization.

First and foremost - the NYI Blog Box, A one of a kind opportunity for fans with blogs (much like this one) to be featured on the Islanders website, get a press pass and interview people in the organization.

Isles inspire and the other charities that have started up, whose goals are to help local children and even the youth hockey programs in our area.

Kids Opening Day, with prizes, free DP jerseys and an on ice shootout.

I think it is a great thing to get this involved in the community, because it can only increase awareness about the team.

Now, if only they can get on the Philly thing with those cards featuring free credits for food…….we'd be set.

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