New York Islanders' Dynasty Years Quiz

Answer: Bobby Nystrom

Bobby Nystrom tipped a John Tonelli pass into the net against Philadelphia Flyers' goalie Pete Peeters in overtime to clinch the 1980 Stanley Cup title for the Islanders. Nystrom was noted for his hard work and hustle. He scored 27 playoff goals for the Isles between 1980 and 1983. Overall, Nystrom scored 235 regular season goals for New York.

His number 23 was officially retired by the club in 1995. Wayne Merrick was a forward who played on a line with Nystrom and John Tonelli.

Answer: Roland Melanson

Billy Smith was the star goalie for the New York Islanders between 1979-80 and 1983. During that era, "Smitty" played in 166 regular season games, winning 87 of them. He recorded 57 playoff victories during the dynasty years, and he finished his career with 305 regular season wins. Roland Melanson was Smith's backup during the Dynasty Era. From 1980 to 1983, "Rollie the Goalie" appeared in 91 regular season games, winning 54 of them. Melanson also played in 17 Stanley Cup games, with 3 victories, during the Dynasty Era. Gerry Desjardins played with the Islanders from 1972 to 1974, Richard Brodeur was an Islander for two games during the 1979-80 season, and Jeff Hackett was a goalie with the Isles from 1988 to 1991.

Answer: Ken Morrow

Ken Morrow, from Michigan, became the first player ever to win an Olympic gold medal and a Stanley Cup title in the same season. Morrow was a rock-steady defenseman who was not flashy. He only scored eight regular season goals from 1980-83, yet he tallied nine playoff goals during the Dynasty Era. Dave Langevin and Gord Lane also played defense for those Stanley Cup Islanders teams. Dave Lewis was traded during the 1979-80 season; thus, he never played on an Islander Stanley Cup-winning squad.

Answer: Mike Bossy

Mike Bossy, from Montreal, is one of the greatest players in NHL history. He scored 243 regular season and 61 playoff goals for the Islanders between 1980 and 1983. The fabulous number 22 was one of the best snipers in hockey history, and he ended his career with 573 regular season tallies.

His number 22 was retired by the Isles in 1992. Trottier wore number 19, Tonelli was number 27, and Gillies wore the number 9 jersey for New York.

Answer: Los Angeles Kings

The New York Islanders acquired center Butch Goring from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Billy Harris and Dave Lewis in March 1980. The trade proved highly beneficial to New York because Goring was a terrific faceoff artist and penalty killer who energized the Islanders' attack.

He scored 27 playoff goals for the Isles from 1980 to 1983 and received the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1981. Overall, Goring scored 375 regular season goals in his NHL career.

Answer: He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1980

Bryan Trottier, born in Saskatchewan, won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1980. He scored 12 goals and had 17 assists to lead the Islanders to their first Stanley Cup title. During the 1981-82 season, Trottier scored 50 goals to go along with 79 assists.

After the 1989-90 season, he left the Islanders in order to join the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he finished his Hall of Fame career in 1994. Trottier's number 19 jersey was retired by the Islanders in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments.

Answer: Glenn

Glenn "Chico" Resch played goalkeeper for the Islanders from 1973 to the 1980-81 season. Resch received a Stanley Cup ring for his efforts in 1979-80, when he played in 45 regular season games, winning 23 of them. He appeared in four playoff games that season but lost his job to Billy Smith. Resch was traded to the Colorado Rockies during the 1980-81 season.

He was called "Chico" because of his facial resemblance to the actor Freddie Prinze in the "Chico and the Man" television series. Resch ended his NHL career with 231 victories.

Answer: Al Arbour

Al Arbour was a former defenseman who brought a solid defensive system to the New York Islanders. Arbour's Isles won 183 regular season games from 1980 to 1983 on their way to four straight Cup titles. Arbour coached the Islanders for 1500 games, and he won 537 contests with New York. Scotty Bowman coached the Sabres in the early 80s; Eddie Johnston was the coach for Chicago and Pittsburgh, and Harry Neale was Vancouver's head coach during that era

Answer: Jean

Jean Potvin was a defenseman, like his younger brother Denis. He shot right-handed and scored four regular season goals for the Isles from 1979 to 1981. Although Jean didn't appear in any playoff games during those two seasons, his name was put on the Stanley Cup in 1980 and 1981. Marc Potvin was Denis' cousin who played in the NHL from 1990 to 1996. Felix Potvin, unrelated to Denis and Jean, was a goalie who played in the NHL from 1991 to 2004. Denis Potvin's number five sweater was retired by the Islanders in 1992.

Answer: Edmonton Oilers

All good things must come to an end, and the Islanders' run of four consecutive Stanley Cup titles was ended by the Edmonton Oilers in 1984. The Oilers were led by such stars as Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and Paul Coffey. Edmonton defeated the Isles in the final series by four games to one.