Hall of Famer Denis Potvin 11/29/14

When I was home for Thanksgiving break, there was some graphing to be done. I went to Nassau Coliseum for the first couple times this season over the break to watch the Islanders, who have been a pleasant surprise so far this season.

Before their game against the Devils on 11/29, the Islanders were scheduled to honor Hall of Famer and longtime Islanders Captain Denis Potvin. However, like all other important people, Potvin was going to be interviewed on the Islanders MSG+ pre-game show. So, before the game, my father and I headed over to where the interview was going to happen.

At the Coliseum, the studio is set up in the lower lobby on ice level. It is really easy for any fan to access. Usually, that is where the pre-game show and the show in between periods is shot. I figured Potvin would be interviewed on the pre-game show like some other Isles legends had been before him, so I stood in a good spot around the fence that surrounded the studio. I probably could have gotten an autograph from Islanders great and MSG analyst Butch Goring during the time I was waiting for Potvin, but I had nothing for him to sign.

At about 6:30, Potvin walked down a hallway toward the studio. The giveaway for the game was a Denis Potvin mini-locker, and my father and I each got one on the way in. Eventually, Potvin walked right up to me, took my sharpie, and signed a puck for me and a mini-locker that my dad had. One of the producers for MSG asked Potvin to sign for a few minutes so they could get a shot to use in their pre-game show, and Potvin was happy to oblige. As he was walking toward me, I got him to sign another puck, as you can see in the video below. When I asked, he added the Hall of Fame inscription.


Shortly after signing, Potvin was interviewed on the pre-game show and honored with a ceremonial puck drop before the game.  If you read this blog often, you may remember I got Glenn 'Chico' Resch to sign one of the same type of puck in April that I got Potvin on that night. Here are the three autographs my dad and I got of him.

That's it for this brief entry. I'm heading back to Long Island for my winter break from school. I'll have some more stories when I get there. Happy Hanukkah to those celebrating and good luck graphing.