Jets rookie Zach Wilson, offensive line bond at Game 4 of Islanders-Penguins at Coliseum
Zack Wilson of the Jets attends Game 4 of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the New York Islanders and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Nassau Coliseum on Saturday, May 22, 2021. Credit: Jim McIsaac
If you were a rookie quarterback, looking for a fun way to bond with your new offensive line buddies, what could be better than going to an NHL playoff game at the Old Barn?
Jets quarterback Zach Wilson and a bunch of his offensive linemen took in Game 4 of the Islanders-Penguins Saturday afternoon at the Nassau Coliseum. Wilson didn’t feel like talking to the media, but tackle Conor McDermott didn’t mind.
"It’s fun being out with the guys and the camaraderie of it,’’ said the 6-8, 310-pound McDermott, who grew up in Nashville and described himself as "a diehard’’ Predators fan. "I’m buddies with most of the guys on the (Predators) team, and Nashville’s turning into a hockey town, so I’m a big hockey guy, and I love it.’’
McDermott said Jets guard Greg Van Roten, a Rockville Centre native, organized the team outing.
"He set up this week and asked who wanted to come, and we got the O-line and a couple quarterbacks,’’ McDermott said. "We get the guys together and have bonding time, and it’s the playoffs. It’s great. It’s turning me into an Isles fan.’’
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
