earlier tonight.
Strome wore #18 in Junior -- the same # worn as an Islander by 1st round draft
pick Tim Connolly.
It's also the number worn by the Isles first Captain, Ed Westfall. Westfall of
course scored the first goal in Islander history and then scored the goal to
beat the Penguins in Game 7 in 1975. More than that, Westfall served as a
mentor to the young Islanders who would begin their dynasty the year Eddie
retired.
Eddie will turn 71 in September (yes, he was born in a year I'll mention Forever
-- 1940); it would be nice for the Isles, who have used the number for players
such as Rob DiMaio, Marty McInnis and Mike Sillinger to celebrate their 1st
Captain's influence in their 40th anniversary season.
If they don't retire "18", but instead just honored Eddie in the Islanders Hall
of Fame, then young Mr. Strome, who was born two months AFTER the Islanders won
their last playoff series, can keep "18". If not, I am sure that he would look
great in "81".
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
(And full disclosure for those who can't connect the dots-- I worked with Eddie
in all but his 1st two seasons in the TV booth)
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