IslesBlog Podcast

Jiggs McDonald has been a NHL play-by-play announcer for more than 40 years, having been the original voice of both the Los Angeles Kings and Atlanta Flames before spending 15 seasons with the New York Islanders alongside Eddie Westfall, calling three Stanley Cup Winning teams. Having announced over 3,000 NHL regular season games, McDonald received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award from the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990. Although 'retired" Jiggs continues to broadcast Islanders games filling in throughout the season for Howie Rose.

In Part 2, Jiggs and Joe discuss:

-Jiggs' lone season of calling Mets games on SportsChannel in 1982

What strikes him as so unique and special about the Islanders during the Dynasty years

- How Denis Potvin found out Mike Bossy may have had a higher salary during their career

- The most memorable calls and moments from announcing Islanders games for 15 seasons

- The unexpected run to the Conference Finals in 1992-93

- How soon after he "retired" Jiggs felt the pull back to the broadcast booth

- The differences in calling games on part time basis and working with ex-Islander Butch Goring on MSG

- His perspective on the final season at the Nassau Coliseum and move to Brooklyn

Jiggs McDonald has been a NHL play-by-play announcer for more than 40 years, having been the original voice of both the Los Angeles Kings and Atlanta Flames before spending 15 seasons with the New York Islanders alongside Eddie Westfall, calling three Stanley Cup Winning teams. Having announced over 3,000 NHL regular season games, McDonald received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award from the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990. Although 'retired" Jiggs continues to broadcast Islanders games filling in throughout the season for Howie Rose. ​

In Part 1, Jiggs and Joe discuss:

Jiggs humble beginnings in radio, from High School shows and copy writing to his first live hockey radio broadcast

His audition for the expansion L.A. Kings with their Canadian born owner Jack Kent Cooke

The origin of his nickname and his initial thoughts on his new moniker, "Jiggs"

Going the Atlanta Flames to the Stanley Cup Champion New York Islanders for the 1980-81 season

His instant chemistry with Eddie Westfall and why it was "love at first sight"

How the Islanders being on "Sports Channel," one of the first regional networks presented new opportunities.

Being presented his first Stanley Cup Ring by Bill Torrey and his love for calling the Stanley Cup Playoffs

n the latest edition of the IslesBlog Podcast, Joe Buono and Tom de Luca are joined by the play-by-play voice of the Islanders on WRHU 88.7FM. Kinger tells us what has surprised him most about the Islanders outstanding first 46 games, the impact Johnny Boychuk has made in the dressing room and why the top line has finally found it's groove. Later, Chris talks about the "Best Fourth Line Ever," Anders Lee's impressive rookie campaign and Brock's Nelson's scoring slump. Plus, questions submitted via the "Bleed Orange and Blue" Facebook Group and Chris talks about the added level of respect the Isles are receiving around the league.

Special Edition, Special Format ... We have the battle of the WFAN.com columnist.

Its Friedman vs Cappellini, Cappellini vs Friedman.

Will the Islanders finish in 1st place in the Metropolitan Division?

Who would you want to be Halak's backup? Chad Johnson, Kevin Poulin or Martin Brodeur

John Tavares will finish with more / less than 82 points this season?

We all know Islanders fans want to keep both of them, but if you could only sign 1...who would you sign? Leddy or Boychuk?

If you had to pick 2 of the 3 following players

John Bailey will remain the LW for the rest of the season?

The PK will finish better than 25th in the league

Where would you rank Halak in the Eastern Conference goaltenders?

The Islanders will reach the Conference Finals?

In the latest edition of the IslesBlog Podcast, Joe Buono and Tom de Luca are joined Steve Mears, co-host of NHL Live on the NHL Network. Steve talks about his time as the play by play voice of the Islanders, what he learned from Islanders broadcast team and his transition from the booth to the studio. Later, Steve explains why he feels the Isles are one the East's most dangerous teams, whether the Rangers are better now than they were last Spring and if the Penguins still have another Stanley Cup run in them. Plus, Steve gives his thoughts on the job Peter Laviolette has done in Nashville and tells us why the Islanders remind him of his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates.

Islanders Beat Reporter Arthur Staple of Newsday joins WHPC IslesNight w/ IslesBlog's Anthony Tartamella and Connor Moire

In the latest edition of the IslesBlog Podcast, Joe Buono and Tom de Luca are joined by New York Times NHL writer Allan Kreda. Allan reacts to the Islanders 7-4 matinee win over the Philadelphia Flyers heading into the All Star Break, John Tavares' hot streak, the steady play of Nikolai Kulemin and tells us if he thinks the Isles can keep their lead in the Metropolitan Division. Later, Kreda offers his opinion on the "best fourth line ever," Jaro Halak's propensity to mishandle the puck and chats about his experience hanging out with the Blue and Orange Army in Section 329.

It’s Episode 8 of PTIsles, the only video-based Islanders roundtable on the interwebz. This week, Joe Buono, Connor Moire and Brittany Sider revel in the bliss that was Tuesday night's 3-0 win over the New York Rangers at MSG and explain why John Tavares not registering a point isn't exactly a bad thing.

Later, we answer viewer questions including one that asks which team we would root for if the Islanders ceased to exist! Plus, Brittany lets her feelings on the new All Star Games Jerseys heard, find out which one of our colleges didn't allow television and we update you on what you can expect from IslesBlog in 2015.

Want us to answer your questions on the next episode? Use the #PTIsles hashtag to submit them.

You can also listen to PTIsles on the IslesBlog iTunes Channel - Subscribe HERE

IslesBlog Podcast: MSG Analyst and former Islanders and Rangers Goaltender Steve Valiquette Talks Isles-Rangers, his playing career, goalie analytics and more with Joe Buono and Tom de Luca

It’s Episode 7 of PTIsles, the only video-based Islanders roundtable on the interwebz. This week, Joe Buono, Connor Moire and Brittany Sider look back at two very uninspiring efforts in Western Canada vs the Oilers and Cancuks, discuss whether Grabovski is deserving of getting the next shot on the top line and if Jack Capuano should win Coach of the Year, be fired or be viewed somewhere in between. Later, we take a look at the surging teams in the Metropolitan Division and discuss whether or not the Isles will be able to hold off the Rangers and Capitals in the second half. In a week where we have counted down the top 10 goals of the season thus far, we remember the best goals we have ever seen in person. One includes a milestone goal for a Pittsburgh Penguin and another we are scouring the internet for video evidence of. Want us to answer your questions on the next episode? Use the #PTIsles hashtag to submit them.