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MEETING WITH DAVE SCATCHARD & JUSTIN MAPLETOFT -
DECEMBER 1st, 2003
The following are pictures
that I took from the meeting with Dave Scatchard, Justin
Mapletoft and Santa Claus on Monday, December 1st.
The following is a write
up from new Booster Club Member Joe McDonald:
The Islanders
Put Their Fans At Ease
by:
Joe McDonald | Tuesday, December 2 2003
 December
1, 2003 - There is an old expression: You
are never as good when you play your best
and you are never as bad when you play your
worst. For the New York Islanders, they are
a better team than they played over the last
11 games. Over the past few days the
Islanders have tried to address the problems
that they have during this streak which saw
them go 2-9-0-0.
“We need to get back to the team system”,
said injured center Dave Scatchard. Speaking
at the New
York Islanders Booster Club meeting,
with teammate Justin Mapletoft, the injured
Isle, said that they had a “super great
practice today, in fact the best we had in a
while.”
Besides practice, there have been numerous
team meetings to work out the issues and
they credit coach Steve Stirling as helping
the team to get through this rough period.
“We put our heads together, sat down and had
some serious discussions”, said Scatchard.
“Coach Stirling knows how to deal with
people.” Mapletoft added that the coach has
not changed from last year when he coached
the rookie center in Bridgeport. “His door
is always open,” he said.
Unfortunately when things go bad the press
sometimes get on the team. This has happened
to the Islanders when there were stories
going around that there is dissention in the
locker room. Scatchard says that those
stories are “fabricated” and there was some
concern when the team waived Jason Wiemer,
but those are things “you worry about when
you lose a teammate.” He feels that the
Islanders’ locker room is like a “family”
and losing a teammate is like losing a
member of that “family”.
They understand that hockey is a business
and the Wiemer move was a business move
since there is uncertainty about the new
Collective Bargaining Agreement.
“We will get through this rough spot”, said
Scatchard.
Limited to only three games this year, with
a dislocated shoulder, Scatchard expected to
be back last Wednesday. “There were some
problems with the shoulder”, he said. “I
expect to be back as soon as possible.”
According to some reports that could be some
time this week. After scoring a career high
27 goals last season, the Islanders need him
back and healthy to compete for a spot in
the playoffs.
After Scatchard and Mapletoft spoke the fans
were treated with autographs from the
players and a surprise visit from Santa
Claus.
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The meeting was well
attended with nearly 100 people coming. We had a
lot of youngsters in attendance and they had some great
questions to give the guys. Also - we had Santa
come by and visit the kids, along with giving some gifts
as well. Thanks to the guys for
attending. If you have a comment about the
meeting, please send me an
e-mail, so I can add it to the notes from the
meeting. THANKS AGAIN!
To see a larger picture -
click on the thumbnail picture below.... To go
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The seat is waiting for Santa
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The Booster are eagerly awaiting our guests
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The guys are ready for the gang's questions.
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Scatch says he can't wait to get back to the ice again
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Everyone is eagerly listening in.
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Guess who is waiting to come in.....
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So Scatch - are you ready to rumble???
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Another happy raffle winner....
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The kids are getting their autographs from their heroes
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A young fan gets his gift from Santa..
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And look at our little Elves!
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