Nino

If Nino makes the team, he will become the youngest player in Islander history.

David Chyzowski (7-11-1971) was 18 yrs, 105 days when he debuted on October 5,
1989 in Minnesota, against the North Stars. (Future Hall-of-Famer Mike Modano
also debuted in that game.)

Published reports at the time indicated that Chyzowski replaced Brent Sutter as
the youngest player in Isles history. Sutter (6-10-1962) was 18 years, 258 days

when he was recalled from Junior to play 3 games --the first being on February
25, 1981 in Calgary. (The only game in Isles history that they have allowed 11

goals)

The only other 18 year old to play for the Isles in the past 23 years is Tim
Connolly (5-7-1981), who was 18 yrs, 148 days when he debuted at Tampa on
October

2, 1999.

By comparison, John Tavares (9-20-1990) was an old man of 19 years, 13 days when
debuted last October 3rd against Pittsburgh.

If Nino(9-8-1992) plays on Opening Night, he would be 18 years, 31 days
--breaking Chyzowski's club record by 74 days. He would also become the
youngest player in the NHL since Jordan Staal debuted for Pittsburgh on October
5, 2006 -- at 18 years, 25 days. Staal didn't score his first NHL goal until a
week later --if

Niederreiter were to play, and score, on Saturday, he would do so one day
younger than Staal did.

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home
telecasts since 1982. Visit my blog: forever1940.blogspot.com and follow me on
Twitter @ehornick