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Entries with the tag: pat lafontaine
Pat LaFontaine On The Outside Looking In
by Paul on 04/03/12 at 11:47 AM ET
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from Mike Sielski of the Wall Street Journal,
The fracture seems to stem from LaFontaine’s 40-day tenure as an unpaid senior adviser to team owner Charles Wang and his resignation from that post on July 18, 2006. That resignation came just hours after Wang had fired general manager Neil Smith and replaced him with the team’s backup goaltender, Garth Snow. Wang had hired Smith and LaFontaine on the same day, and LaFontaine said in a recent interview that he disagreed with Wang’s decision to fire Smith after less than six weeks.
LaFontaine elected to step down after failing to persuade Wang to reconsider, he said—not necessarily out of loyalty to Smith, but out of concern for the franchise’s direction. “I believe you treat people fairly,” he said, “and stand up for what you believe in.”
Through a team spokesman, Wang declined to comment on the situation. “Pat LaFontaine had a great NHL career and does a lot for the Long Island community,” Wang said in a statement. “We wish him all the best.” Snow declined to comment through a spokesman.
Former Islanders general manager Mike Milbury, who was a member of the team’s board of governors when LaFontaine resigned, said he would understand if Wang still held a grudge against LaFontaine.
Filed in: NHL Teams, New York Islanders, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: pat+lafontaine
Pat LaFontaine Is Still A Difference Maker
by Paul on 11/22/09 at 10:43 PM ET
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from John Vogl of the Buffalo News,
LaFontaine will always refuse to let hockey define his life. He knows there are greater highs than perfectly placed slap shots, understands there are worse tragedies than three-game winless streaks.
He also knows it is important to share that wisdom. The Hockey Hall of Famer and Buffalo Sabres legend visited Western New York over the weekend. As usual, he brought smiles, kind words and perspective.
“Hockey is a dream come true,” LaFontaine said. “You pinch yourself that you get to play at this level. It’s a privilege.
“But there’s so many things you learn along the way, people you meet and experiences, and I truly believe that everything you do in life prepares you for what you’re supposed to do next. You have to get to that point where you take those experiences and be proactive and say, “OK, I’ve learned this. I’ve gone through these situations. Now what can I do to use that and make a difference in someone else’s life?’ “
Filed in: NHL Teams, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: pat+lafontaine
The NHL Hour
by Alanah McGinley on 04/24/08 at 05:05 PM ET
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San Jose Sharks center Jeremy Roenick and Hockey Hall Of Famer Pat LaFontaine will be the guests on the NHL Hour today, hosted by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
The show is on from 4-5 p.m. ET today on XM Satellite Radio (Channel 204) and NHL.com. NHL Hour is an interactive talk radio show that is hosted by a rotation of League executives, and co-hosted by XM sports host and former NHL player Bill Clement.
*At show time, listen live at this link. While on the air, listeners can call into the show at 1-877-645-6696, or send questions/comments via this email address: nhlhour@nhl.com.
**Archived shows available for download via a podcast on NHL.com.
Update 4:14pm ET: The ‘listen live’ link isn’t working as it should. The show can be heard live by going to this link served up by the NHL Online page.
Filed in: NHL Talk, NHL Playoff Talk, NHL Media, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: gary+bettman,
jeremy+roenick,
media,
nhl+hour,
pat+lafontaine,
playoffs
LaFontaine Denied Access To Islanders Press Box
by Paul on 02/07/08 at 11:36 PM ET
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from Slap Shot at the NYT,
Anaheim Ducks General Manager Brian Burke said he asked the Islanders for a credential for Pat LaFontaine, a former Islander and Hall of Famer, so he could sit with him on Tuesday night when the Ducks played at Nassau Coliseum. But the Islanders would not grant him one. Burke said he reiterated his request as a personal favor and was again refused.
Filed in: NHL Teams, New York Islanders, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: pat+lafontaine
