WWII veteran Dominick Critelli, 104, of Floral Park performs national anthem at UBS Arena
Floral Park's Dominick Critelli, a 104-year-old World War II veteran, performs the national anthem on his saxophone before the Islanders faced the Rangers at UBS Arena on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Dominick Critelli went with a standard arrangement. The 104-year-old World War II veteran from Floral Park wasn’t looking to mess with the notes as he played the national anthem on his soprano saxophone before Saturday night’s Islanders-Rangers game at UBS Arena.
“You can’t add to that,” Critelli said. “You can’t touch that.”
But he said one thing was paramount as he performed. “I’m trying to give it a heart,” said Critelli, who still performs with his Sound of Music Orchestra. “I’m trying to give it something that you love, like I do. I was born in Italy. I came here when I was 8 years old. I love this country. This is my country. There’s no other country in the world like this country. This is what you’re trying to give.
“As you’re playing, you’re trying to make it as beautiful as possible because it’s a beautiful country.”
Fans sang the national anthem as Critelli performed, then chanted “USA! USA!” and gave him a rousing ovation.
Critelli served in the U.S. Army from Oct. 28, 1942, to Nov. 21, 1945, and rose to the rank of staff sergeant. He was part of the 95th Infantry Division and notably the Battle of the Bulge, the last major German offensive campaign of the war.
Critelli called being asked to play at UBS Arena “something special.”
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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