Islander News Articles 11/26

Newsday: Mark Herrmann covered practice with head coach Scott Gordon on the club's effort paying off and Bill Guerin on how they have learned from their third periods and feels the club is on the upswing and getting healthy but echoed the coach in that the players have to work hard.

NY Post: Dan Martin interviewed Rick DiPietro who talked about how tough it's been on him with his injury and what's ahead for him.

Point Blank: Mr Botta had a state of the Islanders where he talked about the club by position and what's happened for them to be in position to reach the five hundred mark.

National Post: Reports former Islander Wyatt Smith was traded from Norfolk of the AHL (Tampa) to the Phoenix Coyotes for future considerations.

Black Hills Pioneer & Rapid City Weekly: Peter Centineo has a feature on
former Bridgeport Sound Tigers assistant coach Joe Ferras, who is now a head coach with the Rapid City Rush. In the article Mr Ferras talks about former Islander head coach Ted Nolan's recent visit.

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's update is on Blake Comeau with comments from head coach Jack Capuano and Mike Sillinger.

Mr Fornabaio also have more on Dennis Packard who was signed to a pro tryout.

ECHL.com: The Utah Grizzlies announced that they have loaned forward Dennis Packard to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League.

Wes O'Neill and Wyatt Smith sign with Avs

For those who recall Chris Botta mentioned earlier this summer it was unlikely the Islanders were going to sign prospect Wes O'Neill, who was drafted 115th overall in 2004 and played for Notre Dame. Today he signed with the Colorado Avalanche
who also added former Islander Wyatt Smith.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Botta alerted the fans to O'Neill not being tendered a contract earlier this summer so this is no surprise. We'll have to see what happens after he dropped all the way to the fourth round and many draft experts called his selection a steal for the club at the time, guess not.

Wyatt Smith played for the Islanders in 05-06 and was an unrestricted free agent.