Long Island in the pros: NHL edition
A look at those NHL stars who were either born or grew up on Long Island. To qualify, they must have appeared in at least one NHL game.
(This list is always updating, so if you see someone missing, use the comments to let us know.)
Matt Anderson
Credit: Getty Images
Hometown: West Islip
Teams: Devils (2013)
NHL Stats: 2 games played, 1 point, 0 PIM
Anderson made his debut in the NHL Jan. 29 against the Bruins. He spent the last two years in the Devils' top AHL affiliate, the Albany Devils where he gathered 33 goals and 86 points.
Anthony Bitetto
Credit: Getty Images / Sean M. Haffey
Hometown: Island Park
Team: Predators (2014-present)
NHL stats: 64 games, 1 goal, 12 assists
The Nashville Predators selected the defenseman in the sixth round -- No. 168 overall -- of the 2010 NHL Draft.
Bobby Crawford
Hometown: Long Island
Teams: Rockies (1980-81), Red Wings (1982-83)
NHL Stats: 16 games, 1 goal, 3 assists, 6 PIM
In between his two NHL seasons, the right wing played two years in the CHL before going to Detroit's AHL club in Adirondack where he played alongside former Islanders coach Ted Nolan.
Chris Ferraro
Credit: AP
Hometown: Port Jefferson
Teams: Rangers (1995-97), Penguins (1997-98), Oilers (1998-99), Islanders (1999-2000), Capitals (2001-02)
NHL stats: 74 games, 7 goals, 9 assists, 57 PIM
Chris Ferraro was selected by the Rangers in the fourth round, No. 85 overall, in the 1992 NHL Draft. The center's most productive season came with the Penguins, for whom he played 46 games and had three goals and four assists.
Peter Ferraro
Credit: Newsday/Paul J. Bereswill
Hometown: Port Jefferson
Teams: Rangers (1995-97, 1998), Penguins (1997-98), Bruins (1998-2000), Capitals (2001-02)
NHL Stats: 92 games, 9 goals, 15 assists, 58 PIM
In 1992, center Peter Ferraro was drafted 24th overall by the Rangers, followed by his brother, Chris, three rounds later. The twins spent a majority of their NHL careers together, playing for a combined six different NHL teams.
Matt Gilroy
Credit: Getty Images, 2009
Hometown: North Bellmore
Teams: Rangers (2009-11), Lightning (2011-2012), Senators (2011-12), Rangers (2012-13), Panthers (2013-14)
NHL Stats: 225 games, 11 goals, 37 assists, 67 PIM
After graduating from St. Mary's High School in Manhasset in 2003, Gilroy played at Boston University, where he served as team captain in his final season. In April 2009, the defenseman signed as a free agent with the Rangers and made his NHL debut the following season.
Richie Hansen
Hometown: Northport
Teams: Islanders (1976-79), Blues (1981-82)
NHL Stats: 20 games, 2 goals, 8 assists, 4 PIM
Hansen, a left wing, played 18 games with the Islanders over three years at the beginning of their dynasty. In 1981-82, he made his final NHL appearance with the St. Louis Blues, playing in two games and registering two assists.
Chris Higgins
Credit: AP
Hometown: Smithtown
Teams: Canadiens (2003-09), Rangers (2009-10), Flames (2010), Panthers (2010-11), Canucks (2011-16)
NHL Stats: 711 games, 165 goals, 168 assists, 220 PIM
Higgins, born and raised in Smithtown, was selected 14th overall in the 2002 draft by the Montreal Canadiens following his freshman year at Yale. He scored 23 goals during his first full season with Montreal and followed that with two more 20-goal seasons. He leads all Long Islanders in career goals scored.
Val James
Credit: AP
Hometown: Long Island
Teams: Sabres (1981-82), Maple Leafs (1986-87)
NHL Stats: 11 games, 0 goals, 0 assists, 30 PIM
James was born in Ocala, Fla., and raised on Long Island. In 1977, he was taken in the 16th round by the Detroit Red Wings.
Keith Kinkaid
Credit: Getty Images / Bruce Bennett
KEITH KINKAID
Hometown: Farmingville
Teams: New Jersey Devils (2013-present)
NHL stats: 23-27-8 in 69 games (56 starts), 2.68 GAA
Kinkaid signed with the Devils as a free agent on April 18, 2011. He spent the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons with the AHL's Albany Devils before making his debut on March 5, 2013 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Mike Komisarek
Credit: Getty Images
Hometown: West Islip
Teams: Canadiens (2002-09), Maple Leafs (2009-2013), Hurricanes (2013-14)
NHL Stats: 551 games, 14 goals, 67 assists, 679 PIM
Born in West Islip, Komisarek played for St. Anthony's High School. He reached the Frozen Four during both his seasons at Michigan. The defenseman was drafted seventh overall by Montreal in 2001. He signed a five-year deal with Toronto in 2009. He's the only LIer to play in a NHL All-Star game (2009).
Charlie McAvoy
Credit: Getty Images / Jana Chytilova
Hometown: Long Beach
Team: Bruins (2017-)
NHL stats: 1 game played, 24:11 TOI, plus/minus 1
The Bruins selected McAvoy with the 14th overall pick in the 2016 NHL draft. The defenseman made his debut on April 12, 2017 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the Senators.
Eric Nystrom
Credit: Jim McIsaac, 2011
Hometown: Syosset
Teams: Flames (2005-10), Wild (2010-11), Stars (2011-13), Predators (2013-16)
NHL Stats: 516 games, 66 goals, 46 assists, 374 PIM
The son of Bob Nystrom, who won four Stanley Cups with the Islanders in the 1980s, Eric was born in Syosset and attended the Portledge School in Locust Valley. He was drafted 10th overall by Calgary in 2002. A left wing, he played his first full season with the Flames in 2008-09.
Kyle Palmieri
Credit: Jim McIsaac
Hometown: Smithtown
Teams: Anaheim Ducks (2010-)
NHL stats: 155 games, 34 goals, 34 assists, 76 PIM
Palmieri moved from Smithtown to Montvale, N.J. when he was 3. The right wing played one year at Notre Dame before being drafted 26th overall by the Ducks in the 2009 NHL draft.
Credit: Newsday/Dan Goodrich, 1981
Hometown: Kings Park
Teams: Blues (1981-87), Rangers (1987-88), Red Wings (1988-89), Whalers (1989)
NHL Stats: 328 games, 13 goals, 44 assists, 689 PIM
Born in New York City and raised in Kings Park, Pavese was drafted 52nd overall by the St. Louis Blues in 1980. The defenseman played three full seasons with the Blues from 1984-87. He had short stints with the Rangers, Detroit Red Wings and the Hartford Whalers.
Credit: Hockey Hall of Fame
Hometown: Long Island
Teams: Rangers (1959-61)
NHL Stats: 2 games, 0-2, 5.58 GAA
Schaefer was the team statistician. In those days, teams only dressed one goalie, but home teams were required to keep an emergency goalie on hand. Twice, Rangers starter Gump Worsley was injured. Twice, Schaefer came down from the press box and got in net.
Credit: AP
Hometown: Syosset
Teams: Penguins (2003-09), Kings (2009-2013), Penguins (2013-)
NHL Stats: 667 games, 7 goals, 86 assists, 175 PIM
Born in Syosset, Scuderi played for St. Anthony's High School. In 1998, after his freshman season at B.C., the Penguins drafted him in the fifth round. Scuderi, a defenseman, played his first full season in 2006-07 and, in 2009, he became the first Long Islander to hoist the Stanley Cup after Pittsburgh beat Detroit.
Credit: BC Media Relations
Hometown: Smithtown
Teams: Blues (1981-82)
NHL Stats: 2 games, 1-1, 3.00 GAA
Skidmore, a goalie, played two games with St. Louis. While his NHL career was short-lived, Skidmore was very successful during his time at Boston College. He has been a member of the Boston College Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame since 1997.
Credit: AP
Hometown: Lloyd Harbor
Teams: Sharks (2008-10)
NHL Stats: 19 games, 3 goals, 2 assists, 4 PIM
Vesce attended the Portledge School to play high school hockey before attending Cornell. After four seasons without being drafted, Vesce bounced between the AHL and Scandanavian leagues. In 2008, he signed with Worcester in the AHL and, later that season, made his NHL debut with San Jose.
