With the NHL season officially underway, we will be seeing both new and returning uniforms debut. The jersey that has the most buzz around the league is the return of the white Kachina jersey for the Arizona Coyotes. The Islanders, however, do not have any jersey returning or new jersey being out out this season. However, a hot topic that always surrounds the Islanders when it comes to uniforms is the Fisherman jerseys that were worn in the mid to late ’90s. As we see a trend in the NHL for retro jerseys to be the teams’ new alternate jersey, why not have the Islanders bring back the Fisherman?

However, for as many people who look back on the Fisherman jersey with nostalgia, there are many who look back on it with disdain. To many people, that logo and jersey represent the dark ages of the Islanders’ past. A team managed, and coached, by the infamous Mike Milbury. A team that traded the draft pick that was used on Jason Spezza, Zdeno Chara, and Bill Muckalt for Alexei Yashin. Not to mention the fact that members of the ’80s dynasty for the Islanders absolutely despise the uniform. The Jerseys were the laughing stock of the league at the time and it really set the team back when it came to their respectability. Most importantly, fans felt that management had betrayed them and changed their team for the worse. That the teal colors and Fisherman’s head did not represent what the Islanders were.

But that does not mean everyone in existence hates these uniforms. 1990’s and early 2000’s kids look back fondly on these jerseys. A lot of Islander fans who grew up back then really enjoy these uniforms and want to see these jerseys back. Even non-Islander fans love these jerseys and were extremely disappointed when last year they were not included in the reverse-retro collection. As hockey continues to grow thanks to the new television deals with ESPN and TNT, more people will be looking into hockey and buying jerseys. Some will want basic uniforms like the Bruins and Rangers, but a lot will like the outside-of-the-box uniforms like the Fisherman jersey.

In the end, this will most likely not happen, mainly because of Lou Lamoriello, but these jerseys could, and should, make an appearance every once in a while. The team could do something like the New York Mets did this season by only wearing their Black uniforms on Friday night games at home. It would be something nice the team could do for the fanbase who really look upon this jersey with love, or give other fans who hate this jersey fuel for their fire outside UBS Arena in the winter.

Jack Kobil

Hi, my name is Jack Kobil. I am currently attending Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington DC. I am a huge Islanders fan and I love to share my passion for this team.