**While some may consider this a 'puff piece' (as I have heard I write) it's meant to first, prove that fans can win prizes with not much more than an entry and two -- to take some time away from me before I have to write something about the impending CBA and what it means to us -- the fans as well as the organizatin. I'm just not looking forward to that one. Okay. Puffy it is. But don't YOU wish you got a fine meal and an hour with your favorite NHLer? Yes, yes you do.
He starts his mornings with a visit to the Islanders website. He never thought he’d win anything, but he entered every contest on the Islanders’ website just for the fun of it. Then recently, his luck changed. Season Ticket Holder Daniel Migliorisi started winning .
“A week before I got the call from the Isles telling me that I had won this sweepstakes, I was chosen as a winner by the CCM Hockey Twitter account to win a 2012 Islanders Draft Day hat. I've also won an #IslesTNT (Tuesday Night Trivia) contest once, but this dinner with Travis Hamonic is by far the most exclusive prize.”
Dinner with a hockey player is definitely an exclusive prize. Especially when that dinner is taking place at one of the most popular restaurants in Nassau County, City Cellar in Westbury http://citycellarny.com/. One many a night during the season, you can find Islander players chowing down on some of their signature dishes from their hearth.
Born and raised on Staten Island, his father was a Ranger fan, but while Dan's Dad was in his teens in 1972, he saw the light and became a huge Islander fan.
“He and his best friend had partial ticket plans through the ‘80s and became die-hards in no time. Safe to say, I was born into an Islanders family. My older brother was named Bryan, notice the fact that it's Bryan with a 'Y' instead of an 'I'.”
Now that’s the type of devotion those dynasty era Islanders inspired. Danny will be moving to New Jersey this month, but he’ll always be a New Yorker and an Islanders fan. It usually takes him about an hour and 20 minutes to get to the Coliseum. (Sometimes it can take me up to 2 hours with traffic.) The move to Jersey will make it a little more difficult, but he will make it to the games he can and share his tickets with his brothers and father.
As most hockey fans do, in order to cultivate harmony in the home, they introduce their significant other to the sport. It makes home-life much easier if you’re both avid fans.
Much.Easier. Danny should have an easy home life with his soon-to-be wife, Marielle. “She was never much of a hockey fan until I shared my season ticket package with her last season. She decided that Travis was her favorite player, mainly because she liked his name best, and because I've always rooted for him.” Whatever it takes, Danny. Whatever it takes.
Marielle will be joining them for dinner this week. So she’s a winner too.
I asked Danny if there was anything specific he was looking for as dinner conversation.
“I haven't thought much about what I want to ask Travis, I guess there isn't really anything that comes to mind. I'm just interested to hear some of his favorite locker room stories.”
I told him if he found out anything really good -- I’d pay him.
I still can’t get over the idea that Hamonic has only been on the Isles for the last two years. Neither can Danny.
“I looked up Hamonic's player bio the other day, I knew he was young, but I also felt like he's been around forever. He is the staple in the Isles D and I hope they do the right thing next year when his ELC expires.”
It’s not often that a young player can make such an impact at such an early age. But Travis Hamonic has done that since the moment he put on an Islanders’ sweater.
Have a great time at dinner, and don’t forget, contests are made to be won. Your turn could be coming soon.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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