Ex- Isles McLellan leads SJSharks

You're forgiven if you don't remember Todd McLellan's NHL playing career, which consisted of 5 games for the Isles in the 1987-88 season.

McLellan made his NHL debut on December 28, 1987, when as a 20-year old he scored a goal for the Isles on his first shot in first game (at New Jersey). He added an assist in a home game against the Rangers the next day.  Those were his only NHL points.

McLellan also played in games against Pittsburgh on January 2nd and January 19th.  His final NHL game was in the regular season finale, in Boston, on April 3, 1988.

McLellan was the Isles 6th pick, 104th overall in 1986.  Tom Fitzgerald was a first round pick that year; Rich Pilon was drafted 143rd from that draft.  Both of those players played major roles in the 1992-93 Patrick Division Playoff champion team that will be honored tonight.

McLellan is one of three current NHL head coaches who played for the Islanders; Brent Sutter and Joe Sacco are the others.

 

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