Patrick Michael LaFontaine is an American former ice hockey center who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) and spent his entire playing career with the league's New York State-based teams. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003.
LaFontaine with the New York Rangers in 1997
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference, and play their home games at UBS Arena. The Islanders are one of three NHL franchises in the New York metropolitan area, along with the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers, and their fanbase resides primarily on Long Island.
William Shea played a major role in bringing a hockey team to Long Island.
Denis Potvin led the Islanders to playoff success in the 1970s and 1980s.
Mike Bossy was selected with the 15th overall pick in 1977 and became the third Islander to win the Calder Memorial Trophy.
Before the 1980 playoffs, the Islanders acquired Butch Goring from the Los Angeles Kings. Goring's arrival was often called the "final piece of the puzzle."