New York Islanders Pregame Availability | NYI vs TBL

New York Islanders Pregame Availability | NYI vs TBL

course coming off two highowered wins. What’s the mindset in playing Tampa again in a short span? Yeah, I mean obviously uh you know we have a you know good stretch coming up. Um uh we need some wins here. So uh we like to just keep improving. Obviously two big wins and um you know we’re going to keep learning from them and uh you know move into you know tonight and focus on tonight and obviously take it day by day. But we’re looking for two points tonight. So just keep playing how we’ve been playing. And you’re back on the road now and thinking back to the home stand. Defensively, the team has been sharp all the way through, but the results only started coming at the end. What’s been working so well defensively for this group as of late? Yeah, I mean, I I think we’ve been playing, you know, great hockey. Obviously, um you know, scoreboard didn’t really show the outcome. Uh but I I think we just, you know, kept working hard and obviously uh I think we were due for a couple wins there and the hockey gods helped us out. So, um no, but obviously um you know, we’ve been working really hard um as a team and I we have such a great grouping guys in here. We there’s only about a matter of time until we start winning. So, um, we’re going to keep looking to, you know, win some games. And of course, it’s your first dad trip having having your dad with you. What’s that experience been like so far? Yeah, it’s awesome obviously to bring him on the road and, you know, see what um kind of things we do, whether it’s, you know, the plane and the food and all that stuff like that. It’s pretty cool. So, he’s uh he’s having a great time. How is he just like interacting with other dads and getting to bond with them? Yeah, he loves it. Obviously, got to meet a lot of new guys or new faces he hasn’t met, so uh they’ve been having great times, you know. um you know going out and just you know being able to talk to each other and um you know where you’re from getting to you know know a lot about them. So it’s uh it’s pretty cool. I know he he was friends with Cal Vie’s dad before right. So yeah from World Juniors and uh my mom actually worked with uh his dad. Um so yeah I mean my I knew um I knew Cal like when I was a little bit younger cuz my mom would always say that uh uh she or she worked with his dad. So then it was uh a small world and then we played World Juniors and he’s just from uh he’s not far from like his hometown’s only about maybe 30 40 minutes from uh my house. So then I got to you know know him and stuff like that. We’re close in age so it’s awesome. As an athlete I’m sure it gives you an extra boost knowing your dad is in the stands watching you just take you through your emotions when you know that your dad is there to cheer you on. Yeah, 100%. Obviously um you know when your dad’s there it’s always nice to have people in the stands watching you that uh that’s family. So, um, I know people are watching, you know, from, you know, back home, my brother and all that stuff. So, I know there’s always people watching on TV, but to have, you know, your dad here in person, he’s, uh, he’s been in New York for about two weeks now, being able to watch all the home games and stuff like that. So, uh, he wouldn’t miss any, but it’s it’s awesome to have him in the stands. Is he getting to bond with Marty, too? Yeah. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. We uh he’ll come over um you know, sometimes and we’ll play cards and stuff like that, and Marty loves him, so um I mean, it’s awesome. coming off two strong wins against top teams and back on the road. What’s the mindset ahead of tonight? I mean, yeah, play the same way. I I think obviously what we’re doing has been working so far. Um, you know, again, we’re we’re against a tough opponent again tonight and it’s a tough back to back, but um no better way to start off with a win. You have your brother Cal with you on this trip. What’s that experience been like so far? Yeah, it’s been great. I mean, um it’s great that uh he’s able to come. um you know he’s he’s been a big part of uh my career and support system for you know my my entire life. So um to to share this with him and and to share this with all the other dads it’s been it’s been phenomenal and um no happy to have him here. Has he been on a mentors trip before or is this his first time? First time. Yeah. No, first time. So yeah, my dad’s been and my mom’s been and um it’s nice to to share it with Cal. Um again, he’s uh he’s enjoying himself and along with all the other dads and we’re we’re happy to have him all here. What’s the age difference between you guys? Do you have any fun stories about you guys growing up? Yeah, I mean, yeah, Cal and I are three years apart. He’s three years younger than me. So, um, yeah, know just a lot of memories of, you know, playing hockey down the basement and, um, pushing each other that way. And, yeah, he’s, uh, he’s been a huge part of, like I said, my support system for for my entire career and and, um, you know, somebody I’ve leaned on in the past and still do to this day. So, um, yeah. No, it’s it’s been a pleasure to have him here. Um, nothing really special. I mean, Mitchell played really well for us and sometimes you just want to, you know, having guys not play for too long and uh and I remember last year when we played here, well, he played really well. So, I mean, um I think it’s time for him to play and and we’ll see tomorrow what happens. Who Who’ you bring on the the trip? Who’s what? Who’ you bring on the the trip? My dad. Yeah. Yeah. How’s he liking it? He loves it. He loves it. I mean, um, you know, I think he’s just happy to spend time. He hasn’t come in New York since I’ve been here. So, seeing where I live, I mean, what I do, uh, I think it’s fun and you might have a hard time to believe, but that’s the first time I mean, I experienced I mean, the father trip. Well, I was going to ask I like whether you had those like as a player. Yeah. Yeah. During my days, obviously, I mean, uh, it was not the way it was and and uh, when I was coaching in Colorado, we didn’t do it as well. So, it’s nice to spend time with him and and and um today he went to Clear Water because he we came here when I was 18 years old and and he hadn’t come back since. So, he wanted to go there and visit and so it’s I guess it’s great time for them as well and and seem to enjoy it. So, it’s good for everybody. I guess you talk a lot about uh joy and and the dad trip kind of seems to be a huge morale booster. What does that do for the entire team to for all them to bond and watch this? Yeah, it’s exactly what I said to on the ice. I mean, everybody seems to have joy right now and enjoy themsel and having fun and and uh and what I love is how focused we were this morning and at the practice. I mean, that was that was cool to see the guys the way they practice and and stay focused. And I love that. I love that from our group. What What was your dad’s name? Michelle. Michelle. M I C H E L L E M I C H E L. Okay. Did he Was he a player at any point? No. No. No. He played like in the garage league. So yeah, but he loves hockey. He’s uh he’s very passionate about I mean it’s not hard to believe that in Quebec everybody is are passionate about hockey. But yeah, he’s he’s one of them. Was it I mean did he build you a rink as a kid and back? Of course. Everybody had one. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It was it was good for the grass, you know, when the snow melt. I mean, it was all yellow. I mean, it was pretty good. Did he shoot I’m assuming he shot on you? For sure. For sure. When I was a kid, I mean, he would come in the driveway and um he you know, in those days, I mean, goalie equipment was was a bit expensive. So, you wanted to make sure before buying my first equipment to to make sure that I really wanted to be a goalie. And and I think I prove it to him. Good investment, huh? Good investment, huh? Turn to be. But it’s it’s incredible when you think about it because, you know, it was a mile mask. You know, it was a Tunisia Spud one in your face. I mean, come on. You can’t play with this anymore. I mean, you get killed. I mean, it’s it’s And my second mask was a Jacqu plond. I kept all those those sorry if I make it but I mean I kept all those those masks and and I still have it with me. So I mean brings great memories. The the one I love was Kenny Dryen. Not the not the the one with the the red and the blue. This seriously. Yeah. Yeah. That one was incredible. Oh my god. Yeah. But even the equipment, I mean it’s it has changed so much. But hey, the game is evolving and and for better and and um it was it’s fun to watch sometimes surprise myself to watch like older oldtime not old older games and and see how they played and stuff like this. So, but these guys were so good in those days and with the equipment they had it was impressive.

Hear from Bo Horvat, Matthew Schaefer, and Patrick Roy ahead of tonight’s game in Tampa.