Chris started watching hockey back in the late 1990’s but it wasn’t until 2000 when he went to his first Islander game, a 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins.  “I remember the coliseum being practically empty.  Me, my brother and my dad were all able to move down to the 100 section and I remember seeing a few fights, one with Dave Scatchard and the other with Zdeno Chara.” 

That is basically what started the transition from a new fan to a die hard for Chris.  “I got an NHL video game shortly after going to that game where I started to learn about some of the players and I used to keep up with trades.  I remember updating the Islanders with guys like Chris Osgood, Alexei Yashin, Mike Peca and Adrian Aucoin.  At that point I realized that the Islanders were adding many great players. 

The 2001-2002 season saw the Islanders have a re-birth, and Chris like many fans got excited about it.  “That season basically sealed my die hard status.  It was a lot of fun for me to follow along. 

Ever since then, Chris has been eating, sleeping and breathing New York Islanders hockey.  As much of a fan Chris was, he never expected to be talking Islanders hockey on the radio. 

In July of 2007, Sean Croft came up with the concept for a new Islanders radio show.  Once he needed a co-host, he gave Chris a call.  “When I got that call from Sean, there was no question that I would do it.  I’m very grateful to have been given this opportunity. 

Chris attends SUNY Stony Brook and is a major in Business and Economics.  While he does the radio show for fun, could it possibly open another career path he never thought of before?  “Well, it’s something that I can definitely consider but it’s a hobby…for now.  It’s good for me though to get all of this experience in different things.  Right now, I enjoy being the co-host on NYIFYI and after all the great things we’ve done so far, I can’t wait to see where this goes.” 

Chris’s favorite things: 

Islander of the Past: Adrian Aucoin

Current Islander: Rick DiPietro

Favorite Moment at the Coliseum: Al Arbour coaching #1500 and getting win #740

Favorite Bands: No particular bands, but I like a wide variety of music- from jazz to some pop music.

Favorite Movie: Close call between Miracle, My Cousin Vinny and the Wedding Crashers

Hobbies: Playing my Xbox 360, playing all kinds of sports, and talking Islanders hockey on the radio 

E-mail Chris Hessel at: NYIFYI@gmail.com