The New York Islanders have a storied history that spans over 50 years. In that time, the team boasts four Stanley Cups, various franchise icons, and other legendary moments. However, few players can boast the high honor of having their number in the rafters. The Islanders currently have eight of those players, most recently adding John Tonelli and Butch Goring to that group in 2020.
The Islanders haven’t touched that group since moving to UBS Arena, but a recent message suggests that may change soon. On Wednesday, the Islanders posted a video package about their first captain, Ed Westfall, featuring various Isles alumni. With this recent development, it raises questions about the case for Westfall’s number 18 to be sent to the rafters.
Westfall has an intriguing case for the honor. Not only was he the first captain in the franchise’s history, but he helped developed the core that won the Islanders their championships. The numbers don’t stand out too much in seven seasons with the team, only 105 goals and 186 assists for 294 points in 493 games, but his intangibles helped the Islanders to their growth as a franchise.
While their inaugural season was one of the worst in the NHL’s history, they quickly made the jump to competitive hockey. After missing the playoffs for the first two seasons, they made the playoffs every year since, even winning playoff series’ in every appearance. In those playoff years, Westfall stepped up, tallying nine goals and 20 assists in 45 games. He also won the Masteron Trophy in 1977 for his perseverance to the game, one of only three Islanders to ever win it.
Despite helping the Islanders rise to prominence, some argue he isn’t quite deserving of seeing his number retired. For starters, he wasn’t around for the dynasty teams, rather he just missed out after retiring in 1979. Additionally, the offensive statistics don’t necessarily stick out, and his final two seasons saw him score 10 goals combined. In fact, he is also in the Islanders’ Hall of Fame, and some argue that spot is enough for a player like him. However, the proof for what he provided the team really show after his career ended.
Following his retirement, the Islanders became a juggernaut. The team won four straight Stanley Cups and 19 straight playoff series, a record which will likely never be broken. The likes of Dennis Potvin, Mike Bossy, and Clark Gillies all became Hall of Fame talents and etched their names amongst hockey’s legends, all thanks to Westfall’s leadership. In fact, his presence in the organization continued after his career ended, as he took up a career in the broadcast booth along side Jiggs McDonald, furthering his impact among the player and fans.
As a result, while the numbers may not be the flashiest, what Ed Westfall provided for the Islanders is credibility and an early connection to the fanbase. He mentored the Islanders’ legends to playoff success, culminating in an unprecedented run of championship wins. With what he brought to the organization, the team’s first captain has a compelling case to join his fellow legends in the rafters.
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Featured image courtesy of NHL.com
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