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Josh Bailey is congratulated by his teammates after scoring during the Islanders’ win over the Buffalo Sabres (Photo courtesy of the New York Islanders)
Former New York Islanders forward Josh Bailey provided some closure on a transitional offseason, penning a final thank you to the organization and its fans on Wednesday via the Players’ Tribune.
“From playing my first game in the Isles sweater at 19 to my last at 33, it has been quite a ride,” Bailey wrote. “Not always the smoothest of rides, but I wouldn’t change a thing. The tough times make you stronger and allow you to enjoy the good ones that much more, and we had plenty of good ones.”
After 15 seasons with the Islanders, beginning when he was drafted ninth overall in 2008, Bailey was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks on June 29 in what brought an end to a 15-season tenure that put him near the top of the organization’s record books.
His 1,057 games played ranked third behind only the legendary Bryan Trottier and Denis Potvin. He also ranks fourth in franchise history with 395 assists and seventh with 580 points.
“Over the past couple of months, there have been quite a few moments that have brought me to a pause,” Bailey wrote. “I think what has hit the hardest is realizing that this chapter has come to an end. All of the things that I love about putting on the Blue and Orange are now just a memory. Although it has made me emotional at times, I will always cherish those memories.”
The Ontario native was also one of the more enigmatic figures within the organization. Despite being highly regarded as a locker room leader with a teeming hockey IQ, he often drew the ire of a fan base that grew impatient with him. He eclipsed the 50-point mark just three times in 15 seasons, averaged 38.6 points per year, and never scored 20 goals in a single campaign.
“I do recall…
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