U - U - U

In addition to the cheer for my alma mater   (#13/12 Union College -- expect it to be a bit higher when the new polls are released today), U-U-U signifies that there are three NHLers whose last name starts with U.

David Ullstrom, who has been given the number 41  (we'll hold off on "The Franchise" tag for a while), joins RJ Umberger and the injured Scottie Upshall in the "U" group.

Ullstrom who will make his NHL debut tonight is wearing an unusual number for the Isles: only Derek Bekar and Ray Giroux have ever worn it.  Bekar played 4 games for the Isles in 2003-04 without recording a point.  Giroux played 14 games (recording 9 assists) in 1999-2000 and then 2 more games (0 points) in 2001-02.

Ullstrom will be the 12th NHL player to wear 41 this season.  Four of them are goalies: Craig Anderson, Jaroslav Halak, Mike Smith and Allen York.

Ullstrom, 22, was 102nd overall pick in 2008 by the Islanders.  He is the 7th of the Isles' 13 picks that year to make his NHL debut; other current Isles from that draft: Josh Bailey, Travis Hamonic and Matt Martin.  Kevin Poulin, Justin Dibenedetto and Jared Spurgeon have also seen NHL time (all but Spurgeon with the Isles).

 
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