Pat LaFontaine Inducted into Islanders Hall of Fame

After a decade-long distance, the relationship between the Islanders and Pat LaFontaine reached a joyful conclusion on Saturday.

Just before the Islanders secured a shootout victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning, LaFontaine was inducted into the Islanders Hall of Fame and Ring of Honor in a heartfelt pregame ceremony that included most of his family. It was a moment he’d long deserved.

The 60-year-old, who has called Long Island home since retiring and now leads the Champions in Courage Foundation, spoke longer than the intended three minutes. He clearly had a lot of gratitude to share.

While he expressed emotions about his family, LaFontaine also addressed his late son-in-law, Randall McCoy, who had passed away from ALS just a week earlier. His wife, Mary Beth, who was unable to attend due to health issues, was also on his mind.

Describing her as his “best friend,” he dedicated his induction to her. In a touching moment, he invited his grandson Patrick to the microphone, rallying the crowd with “Let’s Go Islanders.”

“This place reminds me of when I joined at 19. You don’t really grasp it until you grow up, playing alongside legends like Brian Trottier and Mike Bossy… They shaped me both as a player and person,” LaFontaine shared.

This occasion was particularly significant. Not just because of his controversial trade from Long Island to Buffalo in 1992, but also due to the past rifts with the organization, especially after general manager Neil Smith’s abrupt firing in 2006.

He had initially taken on an advisor role under Smith but left in protest. His absence from the team’s 40th anniversary celebration in 2012 further strained his ties, notably with then-owner Charles Wang.

However, in more recent years, with new management, LaFontaine has re-emerged as a familiar face at UBS Arena, attending games in an ambassadorial capacity much like other alumni and participating in the team’s annual golf tournament.

Despite his absence from the Hall of Fame and the Ring of Honor until now, his induction last night felt like a long-overdue reconciliation. “I believe in ownership; everything begins at the top. It’s essential to hold onto your values and morals,” he reflected. “It’s wonderful that this place feels like home again, even though it’s been a while.”

In gameplay news, Jonathan Drouin returned after a lower back issue, joining first-line player Matt Barzal. Meanwhile, Bo Horvat was sidelined due to a lower body injury, allowing Jean-Gabriel Pageau to step back into the second line alongside Anders Lee and Max Shabanov.