Are Islanders practice ever open to the public?

[Islesin93*]

I was at Iceworks this morning to get my skates sharpened and I noticed a Bentley in the parking lot. JT? This can only mean one thing - Islanders Practice!! I saw bailey and a few other players walk by while I was waiting for my skates. Do they have any practices that are open to the public? Why did they close the practices? I always heard it was because of JT, but one of the workers told me Ted Nolan wanted it closed to the public.

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[2ndGenIslander]

I was at Iceworks this morning to get my skates sharpened and I noticed a Bentley in the parking lot. JT? This can only mean one thing - Islanders Practice!! I saw bailey and a few other players walk by while I was waiting for my skates. Do they have any practices that are open to the public? Why did they close the practices? I always heard it was because of JT, but one of the workers told me Ted Nolan wanted it closed to the public.

probably so our division rivals dont have people come watch the practices and find out all of our offensive strategies. it would basically be like handing the opposing coach your offensive playbook in football

 

[Islesin93*]

probably so our division rivals dont have people come watch the practices and find out all of our offensive strategies. it would basically be like handing the opposing coach your offensive playbook in football

Shutting out our rivals certain hasn't helped much.

I think it would be a nice gesture to have Friday practices open to the public. Or once or twice a week. Something to give back to the fans. I'm sure the can do some generic drills when the public is allowed in. I think it would be fun to watch a bit.

 

[JeffNYI]

True story..

I don't live in New York so I only go to a handful of home games per decade.. once went with a good buddy who was a Panthers fan to see a Florida/NYI game.. stayed at the Marriot.. Brian Skrudland see's my buddy in a Panthers jersey (I was wearing street clothes) and invited us in to NVMC to watch the practices..

Even then, when Skrudland was playing, practices were closed.. he lied to arena security and said we were his relatives..

So maybe closed practices are a normal thing???

(As an aside: my friend wrote a thank you note to Skrudland via the Florida Panthers.. Skrudland wrote back noting that there were various opportunities available for my friend to donate to his charity ..)

 

[nthill93]

anyone ever hangout at Iceworks and try to get autographs after the practice? or after a game at NVMC?

 

[Islesin93*]

anyone ever hangout at Iceworks and try to get autographs after the practice? or after a game at NVMC?

They said they do have guys that hangout in the parking lot. Sometimes they need to be escorted off the property. I'm sure I could have gotten some today, but it doesn't interest me.

 

[Bones45]

LOL..Is a Josh Bailey autograph not worth the paper its written on!?

 

[beach]

In the late 70's every practice was open to the public. I used to go to Racquet and Rink in Farmingdale all the time. All the Isles except Denis Potvin would spend time after practice signing autographs and Chico would literally sit in the stands and chat with people all the time. But Denis always sneaked out some side door.

 

[ScaredStreit]

During the 07 playoffs they had an open practice in buffalo. I was in college at the time and went.

All of the players were friendly enough (except Witt and Smyth). Yashin, DP and Nolan were the friendliest though.

Sadly we haven't had a real NHL coach since then.

 

[SI90]

hbhg

 

[LetsGoIslanders]

I was at Iceworks this morning to get my skates sharpened and I noticed a Bentley in the parking lot. JT? This can only mean one thing - Islanders Practice!! I saw bailey and a few other players walk by while I was waiting for my skates. Do they have any practices that are open to the public? Why did they close the practices? I always heard it was because of JT, but one of the workers told me Ted Nolan wanted it closed to the public.

I think the Bentley is probably Grabner's. Most of the guys drive Range Rovers, Tahoes, Jeeps, or Escalades.

The practices have been closed since Snow was GM.