This is a special bonus for listeners on the main feed. If you enjoy the show, please consider subscribing at Patreon.com/IslandersAnxiety for more.

Mike and Dan pay tribute to late New York Post hockey columnist Larry Brooks and more of their favorite sportswriters.

Brooks passed away at 75 after a short battle with cancer. He leaves behind a long legacy as one of the most unique and important voices in New York hockey. No matter what team you rooted for, or whether he made you think or drove you crazy, his Sunday Slapshots column was required reading. He was a fierce critic of (and cheerleader for) the Rangers, but was also staunchly pro-players and the NHLPA, and had a deep love and appreciation for the dynastic Islanders who he considered the best team of their generation.

We also discuss other sportswriters who have shaped our love of the sport throughout our lives. First, of course, is Stan Fischler, who is still covering the NHL at 93-years-old and living abroad. Stan, like Larry, was a voice unlike any other, especially at a time when the league was made up of a dozen teams or less. If you only know Stan from his TV work with the Islanders, you've only barely scratched the surface of what he's done over his 70+ year career in hockey and what makes him Hall of Fame-worthy (even if the actual Hall of Fame hasn't recognized him yet). We also celebrate Stan's late wife Shirley, who was a pioneer for female sportswriters and fought many battles to do a job she knew she was good at.

Thank you for your continued support of Islanders Anxiety. We hope you accept this rare hockey-centric episode and enjoy our small tribute to a man who's writing will be dearly missed by us.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices