Thomas Greiss will make his anticipated return to Long Island on Thursday night. Thomas Greiss is a member of the Detroit Red Wings, Greiss, and the Red Wings will meet the Islanders one last time this season, but this time on Long Island where a long-time Islander is set to make his return on March 24, 2021.

Thomas Greiss: Always an Islander

Thomas Greiss joined the New York Islanders in 2015 and was their netminder for five seasons. Greiss was a fan favorite since his first start as a member of the Blue and Orange. Fans came up with a chant/nickname for the veteran goaltender with “Greisser”. Through those five seasons, Greiss shared the net with former Islander Jaroslav Halak, Robin Lehner, and current Islander, Semyon Varlamov. Greiss and Lehner won the Jennings Trophy. With an expiring contract in 2020, and prospect Ilya Sorokin NHL ready, Greiss’s tenure with the Islanders came to an end. Thomas Greiss was better than expected and filled his role. Greiss ranks fifth among all Islander goaltenders for games played and wins. Greiss played in 193 games and won 103 of those with the Islanders. Ultimately, Greiss posted a 101-60-17 record along with a 2.70 goals-against average as well through his five-year tenure.  In the 2020 offseason, Greiss inked a deal with the Detroit Red Wings. Shortly after, Greiss thanked the fans in an Instagram post and went on to say that his time on Long Island was “the best portion of my career.” Greiss his message to Islander fans and the Islanders organization with one final sentence “I’ll see you all on my return to the Island.” Greiss will do just that.

The return of Thomas Greiss will be special, especially since it’s been a while. Islander fans will sure give Greiss a loud ovation who made an immediate and very strong impact on the Islanders franchise.

Jacob

Writer for Drive4Five covering the New York Islanders.