Latest Islanders News!

It’s not everyday that there is news on our beloved Islanders, especially when they are not in the playoffs. During a time when hockey writers tend to take a bit of a break (See: Greg Logan on vacation), the Islanders find themselves in the headlines regardless and it’s not all about the Lighthouse Project!

Here is what’s happening, recap style:

Tomas Marcinko Officially Signed

The Islanders announced yesterday that they have officially come to terms on a rookie deal with Slovakian born Tomas Marcinko their 2006 fourth round draft pick, to a three-year entry level contract.

Per the New York Islanders website:

The 20-year old Slovakia native, who just finished his second season with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League, recorded 36 goals and 47 assists for 83 points in 104 career games with the Colts, while also representing Slovakia at the 2007 and 2008 World Junior Championships.

“Tomas is a very responsible two way player who had a terrific season in 2007-08 with Barrie in the OHL,” said Ryan Jankowski, the Islanders Assistant General Manager and Director of Amateur Scouting.

In 2007-08, Marcinko tallied 19 goals and 26 assists for 45 points in 48 games with the Colts, which ranked second on the team in points. In nine career OHL playoff games – all coming this season – Marcinko registered four goals and three assists.

It was nice that this was done relatively quickly after Garth Snow informed us that a deal was done in principle last week at the Islanders Stakeholder meeting at the Coliseum. It seems that Garth has been very busy for the Islanders in filling holes for Bridgeport and locking up our younger future players. That definately isn’t a bad thing.

Bill Guerin and Steve Mears on ESPN’s Sportscenter

Seems good old Billy G was out and about in Bristol, Connecticut along with Steve Mears last night for a Sportscenter piece. Corey Witt has a bunch of blog entries and photos (where I snagged the above photo) on the job Bill did last night. I personally missed the piece, but from what I hear he held his ground and could have a future in broadcasting after hockey.

In other Guerin News

Despite the 2007/2008 season as being Guerin’s first ever serving as team captain, his team mates felt that he deserved recognition for the job he did this season (he did after all have a very big role leadership wise and handled it very well both in the media and the locker room) and have nominated him for the King Clancey Memorial Trophy.

Per the Islanders Website:

The New York Islanders organization is proud to announce captain Bill Guerin as its nominee for the 2007-08 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, awarded to a player who exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in the community.

“It’s a great honor to be nominated for such a prestigious award,” said Guerin, who was picked by a team vote. “Despite a disappointing finish to the season, my family and I had a wonderful time on Long Island and we look forward to continuing to serve the community as best as we can.”

In 2007-08, Guerin showed his dedication and leadership not just on the ice, but off the ice in the community as well. On the ice, Guerin showed his dedication to the NHL, along with his longevity in the game when he skated in his 1,100th game on March 21 at New Jersey. On October 18 at Washington, Guerin notched his ninth career hat trick, becoming the first player to record a hat trick with six different NHL teams. When he recorded his 20th goal of the season on March 20, Guerin became just the second player in NHL history to record 20 or more goals with the six NHL teams.

“Congratulations to Bill on his nomination,” said GM Garth Snow. “As our captain, Billy was exactly what we were hoping for and more when we signed him in the off-season. Everyone in the organization appreciated his commitment to the team this season.”

To read more, head on over to the Islanders website.

Sean Bergenheim, Hurt?

Bergenheim needs to quit playing in Europe, really – he does. It seems no matter what, every time this kid straps on skates and plays overseas, he winds up injured in some way. The message boards came alive yesterday afternoon once a Finnish newspaper article came out claming Bergy’s injury. Naturally, the translation of said article yielded very little clues – and we come to find out later the injury wasn’t very serious. I think all of Islanders country heard Dee Karl (7thwoman and Bergenheim Super-Fan) scream in horror and then sigh with relief.

Katie Strang, who is manning the Islanders column and Blog over at Newsday in Greg Logan’s absence, made a blog entry on this subject yesterday. Here is a snippet of some “unofficial, official news” as there was nothing out of the Islanders camp.

Bergenheim’s agent Mark Gandler said he is day-to-day with a slight groin pull.
Doesn’t sound like anything too serious, but I’ll keep checking up to see if I hear anything new.

As far as Sean’s contract negotiations with the Islanders, Gandler said that “we have started talking, but numbers have not yet been exchanged.”

More on Greg Logan’s Blog.

So – while the Islanders are certainly out of contention and done with hockey in the NHL until September, they certainly do know how to remain in the headlines – somewhat.

More as it happens, right here on www.islesblogger.com – all summer long!