Hockey fans in the New York area would never believe that Jiggs McDonald, the former play by play voice of the Isles from 1980-1995, would ever have a reason to doubt his own ability.However, after a few years separated from full-time broadcasting duty, McDonald, one of the most respected broadcasters in the hockey history, was asked to cover the first seven games of the Islanders 2006-07 NHL season, producing a myriad of emotions that left him unsure if he could perform the way he used to.“I had mixed emotions,” said McDonald, regarding his return to the Island after an 11-year absence. “[I was] nervous and frightened. I didn’t want to embarrass anybody, especially myself. I haven’t done that many games over the past three years; I hadn’t done any games since last January. It’s almost like the mentality of a player; not knowing if you can get back up to speed or if you’re in game shape.

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April 13, 1997. A day that will be forever remembered, as the darkest day in hockey history in the state of Connecticut; for thousands of Hartford Whaler fans, it was the day that they said goodbye to their NHL team. The players that were on the ice that night at the Hartford Civic Center threw their equipment to the fans, wished them well, and let them know they were special to them. Fast forward 3,555 days later. This will be a day that will be forever remembered, as the brightest day in hockey history in the state of North Carolina; for thousands of Carolina Hurricanes fans, it was the day that they celebrated their first championship, as their beloved team defeated the Edmonton Oilers, 3–1, in the final game of the NHL season. After just over nine years since the moving trucks descended on Tobacco Road and the Triangle area of Raleigh/Durham, Peter Karamanos, the owner, Jim Rutherford, the general manager, the men who thought the hockey would make it, delivered their promise.

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