Latest news with #KenMorrow
New York Post
23-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Miracle on Ice's Ken Morrow will always have second home in Northport, LI
One day, Islanders great and Miracle on Ice member Ken Morrow was going for a leisurely drive in Huntington Village when a pair of police officers suddenly pulled him over. 'When they came up, I didn't know why. I didn't think I'd been speeding or anything,' Morrow told The Post. 'And their first words to me were, 'I thought that was the Stanley Cup in the back of your car.' With their lights going, they stood at my back window looking at the Stanley Cup and reading the names.' Ken Morrow (center) is flanked by fellow former Islanders Bobby Nystrom (left) and Butch Goring while being honored before an Islanders' 2015 game at Nassau Coliseum. NHLI via Getty Images It became one of the many memorable moments for longtime Northport resident Morrow, who won Lord Stanley's hardware four straight times with the Isles — the first coming mere months after defeating the USSR juggernaut in Lake Placid. In the Michigan native's words, it didn't take long to become a bona fide everyday Long Islander. 'You were just part of the local community, and you didn't get mobbed or anything like that,' said Morrow, who now calls Kansas City home as director of pro scouting in the Islanders organization. Still, the defenseman who fell in love with local beaches and drives on the scenic North Shore would 'get a couple of people that would come up and knock on the door' occasionally. 'I remember one time, we had a school bus driver pull in our driveway, and we were trying to figure out what the heck was going on until he came up to the door,' he recalled. 'I struck up a lot of conversations with people. It certainly didn't bother me at all that people wanted to do that.' Now, nearly 45 years to that fateful day of May 24, 1980, when Morrow and the team celebrated their first Cup win in overtime of Game 6 against the Flyers, he remembers it all like it was yesterday. Ken Morrow and Jim Craig celebrates after Team USA defeated the Soviet Union at the 1980 Olympic Center in Lake Placid, famously now known as the 'Miracle on Ice.' Getty Images 'When Bobby Nystrom scored, I think the feeling was relief as much as it was joy,' Morrow said, adding that even climbing stairs became challenging when the Stanley Cup Final rolled around. The Olympic gold medalist, now 68, returned to the island two summers ago and recounted his days on top of the world in his memoir, 'Ken Morrow: Miracle Gold, Four Stanley Cups, and a Lifetime of Islanders Hockey,' co-written by sportswriter Allan Kreda. From gold to silver It was a blur when he arrived in Nassau County just weeks after the greatest hockey game ever played. Morrow and his family first stayed in a Holiday Inn on Old Country Road near the beloved Nassau Coliseum, but they didn't catch much of an authentic glimpse of the island he adores at first. What he did see, however, were fans salivating for their first chance to win it all in the spring of 1980. 'You had a lot of interactions with the fans, which was a really great thing.' His playing days were when spectators were much more accessible, as players parked outside the arena — right by pregame festivities that Morrow distinctly holds dear. 'The tailgating is something I'll always remember — probably unique to Long Island. The people were out there tailgating hours before games,' he said, adding it was the first time he ever saw the grills going for hockey games and fans escorting players toward the door. Leaving after a victory, when cars would blare a honk to the tune of 'Let's go Islanders!' is also something Morrow cherishes deep down. 'I probably did it, too, at some point,' No. 6 said with a laugh. Rocking the barn The real magic, however, came inside the Uniondale walls that shook with the passion of thousands who showed up every spring to watch their Isles vie for another title in the early 1980s. 'The roar,' Morrow, who still gets standing ovations at games, recalled, 'that's a memory that will stay with me. You could hear it through the walls of the locker room. It just gave you chills to walk out.' Rather than looking back at the glory days that well predate state-of-the-art UBS Arena, he's enthusiastic about what the team has done since — especially when the old barn rocked at dynasty-level decibels. Morrow distinctly recalls the shaking that followed the Shawn Bates penalty shot of 2002 and the Isles' conference final run nearly two decades later in 2021. 'There's something about the old barn, and there have been some great moments in the history of the New York Islanders — especially in the playoffs,' Morrow said. 'It doesn't take much to bring that out in our fans today.'
CBS News
06-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Sharks to pick 2nd in 2025 NHL Draft following last-place finish
New York Islanders pro scouting director Ken Morrow knows a thing or two about so-called hockey miracles. Witnessing the Islanders win the NHL draft lottery on Monday and vault nine other teams in the order for the right to have the No. 1 pick represented yet another memorable moment for the four-time Stanley Cup champion and member of the 1980 gold-medal-winning "Miracle on Ice" U.S. Olympic team. "I've had a lot of thrills in my hockey life, but this is right up there at the top," Morrow said. "The hockey gods smiled on us. I can't tell you how thrilled I am for Islanders fans, for our ownership, for the entire Islanders organization." The Islanders, who missed the playoffs for the second time in four seasons, are in the midst of a front-office shakeup after not renewing general manager Lou Lamoriello's contract on April 22. And they earned a remarkable lottery win by entering the day with a 3.5% shot — the 10th-best odds — of seeing their numbers come up. New York wasn't the only team to buck the lottery odds. The Utah Hockey Club won the second round of the lottery, and made the jump from 14th to fourth under the rules limiting teams from moving up no more than 10 spots in the draft order. "A couple of seconds ago, we were just like 10 back, so it still hasn't sunk in," Utah GM Bill Armstrong said of a first-year franchise that finished just seven points out of a playoff spot. "This is an exciting moment for us. It's a game-changer for us." The San Jose Sharks will pick second after entering the day with the best odds, 18.5%, to win the lottery and a 25.5% chance of landing the No. 1 choice. San Jose, which finished last for a second consecutive year, was seeking to become the NHL's first team to win the lottery and pick first in consecutive years. "We definitely lucked it out last year to be able to select Mac," Sharks GM Mike Grier said in referring to selecting Boston University center Macklin Celebrini first overall. "This year would have obviously been nice to have the pick and have the choice of all the players. But picking two, we're still in a pretty good spot so we're happy." ESPN's John Buccigross and National Hockey League Deputy Commissioner, Bill Daly, announce the final draft positions during the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery at NHL Network Studio on May 5, 2025 in Secaucus, New Jersey. Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images The Chicago Blackhawks had the second-best chances to win the lottery and will pick third. The remaining 12 teams moved two spots back in the order, starting with Nashville dropping from third to fifth. The final 16 draft spots will be determined following the playoffs. The Islanders have the right to pick first for the fifth time in team history, and first since selecting John Tavares with the No. 1 choice in 2009. This year's draft will be held in Los Angeles with the first round taking place on June 27, followed by the final six rounds the next day. Top prospects will convene for the weeklong predraft combine being held in Buffalo next month. The prospect pool is not considered as deep at the top as last year's class, or next year's group, with Canadian junior forward Gavin McKenna long regarded as the No. 1 candidate. Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer is NHL Central Scouting's top-ranked North American prospect followed by OHL Saginaw center Michael Misa and Boston College center James Hagens, the top-ranked U.S. born prospect. Hagens is from Long Island and grew up an Islanders fan. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 183 pounds, Schaefer maintained his No. 1 position despite missing the final three months of the season after breaking his right collarbone representing Canada at the world junior championships in December. Schaefer has the potential of becoming only the fifth defenseman selected No. 1 since 2000, and first since Buffalo chose Owen Power in 2021. And he also has the chance of being the first OHL player to go No. 1 since Edmonton drafted Erie's Connor McDavid in 2015. The top-ranked international skaters are center Anton Frondell and right wing Victor Eklund, who are teammates with Djurgarden of Sweden's second division league. New York's jump from 10th to first is the biggest involving a team winning the No. 1 selection. And it comes after the last-place team won the lottery to retain the first pick in four of the past five years and 12 times overall since the NHL launched the format in 1995. The New York Rangers enjoyed the previous largest move up to No. 1 in 2020, when they were grouped among eight teams — ranked eighth to 15th — with the same odds to win the lottery after being eliminated in the COVID-altered play-in round of the expanded 24-team playoff format. The lottery was held at the NHL Network studios in New Jersey, and conducted live for the first time in the event's 30-year history. Previously, the lottery was held shortly before the broadcast in front of a limited audience of sequestered observers, followed by the draft selections being revealed in reverse order.
NBC Sports
06-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
New York Islanders win the NHL draft lottery, securing the No. 1 selection. Sharks will pick second
New York Islanders pro scouting director Ken Morrow knows a thing or two about so-called hockey miracles. Witnessing the Islanders win the NHL draft lottery on Monday and vault nine other teams in the order for the right to have the No. 1 pick represented yet another memorable moment for the four-time Stanley Cup champion and member of the 1980 gold-medal-winning 'Miracle on Ice' U.S. Olympic team. 'I've had a lot of thrills in my hockey life, but this is right up there at the top,' Morrow said. 'The hockey gods smiled on us. I can't tell you how thrilled I am for Islanders fans, for our ownership, for the entire Islanders organization.' The Islanders, who missed the playoffs for the second time in four seasons, are in the midst of a front-office shakeup after not renewing general manager Lou Lamoriello's contract on April 22. And they earned a remarkable lottery win by entering the day with a 3.5% shot — the 10th-best odds — of seeing their numbers come up. New York wasn't the only team to buck the lottery odds. The Utah Hockey Club won the second round of the lottery, and made the jump from 14th to fourth under the rules limiting teams from moving up no more than 10 spots in the draft order. 'A couple of seconds ago, we were just like 10 back, so it still hasn't sunk in,' Utah GM Bill Armstrong said of a first-year franchise that finished just seven points out of a playoff spot. 'This is an exciting moment for us. It's a game-changer for us.' The San Jose Sharks will pick second after entering the day with the best odds, 18.5%, to win the lottery and a 25.5% chance of landing the No. 1 choice. San Jose, which finished last for a second consecutive year, was seeking to become the NHL's first team to win the lottery and pick first in consecutive years. 'We definitely lucked it out last year to be able to select Mac,' Sharks GM Mike Grier said in referring to selecting Boston University center Macklin Celebrini first overall . 'This year would have obviously been nice to have the pick and have the choice of all the players. But picking two, we're still in a pretty good spot so we're happy.' The Chicago Blackhawks had the second-best chances to win the lottery and will pick third. The remaining 12 teams moved two spots back in the order, starting with Nashville dropping from third to fifth. The final 16 draft spots will be determined following the playoffs. The Islanders have the right to pick first for the fifth time in team history, and first since selecting John Tavares with the No. 1 choice in 2009. This year's draft will be held in Los Angeles with the first round taking place on June 27, followed by the final six rounds the next day. Top prospects will convene for the weeklong predraft combine being held in Buffalo next month. The prospect pool is not considered as deep at the top as last year's class, or next year's group, with Canadian junior forward Gavin McKenna long regarded as the No. 1 candidate . Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer is NHL Central Scouting's top-ranked North American prospect followed by OHL Saginaw center Michael Misa and Boston College center James Hagens, the top-ranked U.S. born prospect. Hagens is from Long Island and grew up an Islanders fan. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 183 pounds, Schaefer maintained his No. 1 position despite missing the final three months of the season after breaking his right collarbone representing Canada at the world junior championships in December. Schaefer has the potential of becoming only the fifth defenseman selected No. 1 since 2000, and first since Buffalo chose Owen Power in 2021. And he also has the chance of being the first OHL player to go No. 1 since Edmonton drafted Erie's Connor McDavid in 2015. The top-ranked international skaters are center Anton Frondell and right wing Victor Eklund, who are teammates with Djurgarden of Sweden's second division league. New York's jump from 10th to first is the biggest involving a team winning the No. 1 selection. And it comes after the last-place team won the lottery to retain the first pick in four of the past five years and 12 times overall since the NHL launched the format in 1995. The New York Rangers enjoyed the previous largest move up to No. 1 in 2020, when they were grouped among eight teams — ranked eighth to 15th — with the same odds to win the lottery after being eliminated in the COVID-altered play-in round of the expanded 24-team playoff format. The lottery was held at the NHL Network studios in New Jersey, and conducted live for the first time in the event's 30-year history. Previously, the lottery was held shortly before the broadcast in front of a limited audience of sequestered observers, followed by the draft selections being revealed in reverse order. Page 2
National Post
06-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
New York Islanders win the NHL draft lottery, securing the No. 1 selection
New York Islanders pro scouting director Ken Morrow knows a thing or two about so-called hockey miracles. Article content Article content Witnessing the Islanders win the NHL draft lottery on Monday and vault nine other teams in the order for the right to have the No. 1 pick represented yet another memorable moment for the four-time Stanley Cup champion and member of the 1980 gold-medal-winning 'Miracle on Ice' U.S. Olympic team. Article content 'I've had a lot of thrills in my hockey life, but this is right up there at the top,' Morrow said. 'The hockey gods smiled on us. I can't tell you how thrilled I am for Islanders fans, for our ownership, for the entire Islanders organization.' Article content The Islanders, who missed the playoffs for the second time in four seasons, are in the midst of a front-office shakeup after not renewing general manager Lou Lamoriello's contract on April 22. And they earned a remarkable lottery win by entering the day with a 3.5% shot — the 10th-best odds — of seeing their numbers come up. Article content New York wasn't the only team to buck the lottery odds. The Utah Hockey Club won the second round of the lottery, and made the jump from 14th to fourth under the rules limiting teams from moving up no more than 10 spots in the draft order. Article content 'A couple of seconds ago, we were just like 10 back, so it still hasn't sunk in,' Utah GM Bill Armstrong said of a first-year franchise that finished just seven points out of a playoff spot. 'This is an exciting moment for us. It's a game-changer for us.' Article content The San Jose Sharks will pick second after entering the day with the best odds, 18.5%, to win the lottery and a 25.5% chance of landing the No. 1 choice. San Jose, which finished last for a second consecutive year, was seeking to become the NHL's first team to win the lottery and pick first in consecutive years. Article content Article content 'We definitely lucked it out last year to be able to select Mac,' Sharks GM Mike Grier said in referring to selecting Boston University center Macklin Celebrini first overall. 'This year would have obviously been nice to have the pick and have the choice of all the players. But picking two, we're still in a pretty good spot so we're happy.' Article content The Chicago Blackhawks had the second-best chances to win the lottery and will pick third. The remaining 12 teams moved two spots back in the order, starting with Nashville dropping from third to fifth. The final 16 draft spots will be determined following the playoffs. Article content The Islanders have the right to pick first for the fifth time in team history, and first since selecting John Tavares with the No. 1 choice in 2009. Article content This year's draft will be held in Los Angeles with the first round taking place on June 27, followed by the final six rounds the next day. Top prospects will convene for the weeklong predraft combine being held in Buffalo next month.
