Islanders to Name UBS Press Level After Legendary Hockey Historian Stan Fischler

It was 1972. The New York Islanders, along with the Atlanta Flames, entered the NHL to bring the legal total to sixteen teams. The new Long Island team needed coverage, and a 40-year-old reporter Stan Fischler was on the scene.

Almost 50 years later, the now 90-year-old Stan Fischler continues to cover the New York Islanders although he “retired” back in 2019. But a man like Stan Fischler, one of the greatest, if not the greatest hockey historian of all time, can’t and truly won’t ever walk away from the game.

He stepped away from work in order to spend time with his children and grandchildren, as he currently resides in Israel.

Despite the major time difference, Stan Fischler can still be found tweeting about the Islanders, as well as sharing his stories on NHL.com with his column “Maven Memories.”

Due to his hard work and dedication to the sport, particularly his coverage of the New York Islanders, he will now be immortalized at UBS Arena for as long as the building stands.

On Wednesday, ahead of the New York Islanders’ matchup with the rivaled New York Rangers, the press box will be named the Stan Fischler Press Level. Co-owner Jon Ledecky, along with former New York Islanders captain and legend Denis Potvin will speak at the ceremony, which will occur at 6:30 on the main press box level.

The legendary journalist worked for MSG Networks, being a part of the first-ever telecast of the Islanders on the network back in 1975. He has written over 100 books, and has won Emmy Awards for his work.

I was fortunate enough to meet Stan Fischler at UBS Arena last season when he celebrated his 90th birthday. It was like talking to a hockey god, as he was telling stories from way back when, as if it was yesterday. From anyone I have ever talked to about Fischler, they say he is one of the nicest and most respectful humans they have ever met.

Congratulations in advance for the best there ever was in this field.

The fact that he is not in the Hall of Fame is a mystery.