Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

John Tavares Keeps a Promise

August 4, 2012, 8:34 AM ET [145 Comments]
Dee Karl
New York Islanders Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
John Tavares made good on his promise to Season Ticket Holders this week. While Matt Moulson did a fine job at the draft party meeting and greeting the STHs that were scheduled to meet John Tavares, he still felt bad about it. He wanted to thank them -- personally. This week he did. Below is a few paragraphs from one of these people, my Twitter buddy @Shockz81388. Here's what he had to say about the event.


As the New York Islanders season ended in April, season ticket holders were sent a renewal letter with a twist. They were given two options; 1) pay a portion of the payments for the next six months by a certain date and receive a signed jersey in the mail from a player of their choosing or 2) Pay in full by tax day 2012 and get a meet-and-greet with John Tavares and receive a signed jersey from him at the yearly draft party.

Due to weather related issues, JT couldn’t make the draft party. He was stuck on a tarmac going nowhere. About two and a half weeks later, season ticket holders received a letter signed by JT himself explaining to them how upset he was that he couldn’t make the draft party and that he was going to be in town on two days in August to meet and hang out with those ticket holders who paid by tax day.

In the letter, it said to call your ticket rep and make sure you sign up for the meeting. As I arrived to Marriot hotel across the street from the Nassau Coliseum, I didn’t know what to expect. I arrived late to the signing due to being at work so I arrived at the event toward the end. I was thinking that the later I got there, the better chance of getting a few things signed. When I signed in, I had to stand on a line of about 20-30 people, and as I got closer to the room JT was in, another 20-30 people showed up online behind me. (Yeah, we don’t have any fans. Right.- dee) But enough about the line, let’s talk about JT!

John Tavares, one of the nicest athletes I have ever met, and we are talking about a guy who is one of the NHL’s stars-of-the-future and the face of a franchise. JT took time out of his busy schedule of training for the upcoming season, along with meetings for the NHLPA trying to make sure there will be a season (we will get to that later) to make sure he made good on his promise.

The line in the lobby at the Marriott hotel was from the doors that lead you to the Coliseum to about half way into the lobby. JT made sure he saw every person. He was even willing to talk to each of us for a few of minutes. A friend of mine who was also there, told me; “The experience was great and it was set up wonderfully. It was really nice to be able to speak to him for 2-3 minutes. He was so nice and I had a great time.”

As each STH walked into the room, one of the interns handed them a bag with a signed jersey. After taking a photo with @Tavares91, we could ask him a few questions and he even signed other items attendees had brought with them. Of course I asked him the typical, “How is your summer going?” and “What you have you been up to?” type of questions, but more importantly to me was to see what he had to say about the CBA negotiations. He told me with confidence in his voice not to worry; the players want a season just as much, if not more, than the fans. He also told me that he is really excited to play against Rick Nash six times a year.

Anyways, this was a great experience and something really nicely put together by the New York Islanders. Thank you to them and John Tavares.




And thanks to my buddy Steven Nosomowitz for being willing to be my “man at the party” when this blogger can’t make it to these events. It only goes to prove that the Isles fans are still there. As often as we are kicked in the media, there are those who still spend their money for tickets and head to the Coliseum for as long as they can.

Some Season Ticket Holders may feel they aren’t being fairly treated, or that they don’t receive as much as they used to. That may be true, but as we know, much has changed over the years. Season Ticket benefits still include two meet & greets with players, a Holiday Skate (that I better be able to cover this year, damn it!), discounted parking, an ID card for access to other special offers (which should be easier now to obtain with the Team Store right in the building) and of course, the year book. Also, as Ann Rina has told me, there are opportunities for Season Ticket Holders to attend practices during the season.

As bleak as some would like to paint the picture of the New York Islanders, I can still see flickers of light and color. Tell me I’m looking through “Orange” colored glasses, that’s fine. But it’s nice to know -- I’m not really alone.








Join the Discussion: » 145 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Dee Karl
» Boychuk for Seven
» Good Ain't Good Enough NYR 2 - NYI 1
» The Return of Isles' Capt. America
» The JT Show in TO in OT
» Kennedy's Debut