Overview
- LaFontaine became the club’s 17th Hall of Famer in an emotional pregame ceremony at UBS Arena on Dec. 13.
- The honor capped a long rift dating to a 1990s trade and a 2006 resignation that kept him out of earlier team celebrations.
- He told fans his son-in-law, Randal McCoy, died of ALS a week earlier and noted wife Mary Beth’s health struggles as he dedicated the night to her.
- LaFontaine praised the ownership group along with Lou Lamoriello, general manager Mathieu Darche and coach Patrick Roy, saying the team “feels like a family.”
- He highlighted No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer as a potential generational talent, and the Islanders later beat the Lightning in a shootout.