Congratulations Bill Guerin

December 27, 2008   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Congrats to Islander captain Bill Guerin on 400 goals!

We’d like to congratulate Islander team captain Bill Guerin on reaching a career milestone by becoming the 79th NHL player and only the eighth American born player to reach 400 goals in a career doing so in style by tallying twice during a 4-1 home win over the Maple Leafs snapping a 10-game skid.

The 38 year-old veteran power forward who also has played for the Devils winning a Stanley Cup notched the first of two goals on the night when he deflected home a Josh Bailey shot giving the Isles a lead they never relinquished with franchise netminder Rick DiPietro returning after two months to make 28 saves.

It was early in the third when Guerin deposited No.400 getting to a Chris Campoli rebound for the career milestone making it 3-1. Defenseman Freddy Meyer closed the scoring over six minutes later.

Following the Islanders’ first win of the month since Nov.29 at Ottawa, an emotional Guerin savored the moment:

“It means a lot. It means I’ve been able to stick around this league for quite some time, and had some success at doing it. (Tonight’s) goals came at a good time. Everyone kept a good attitude and a good work ethic (during the losing streak).”

It was earlier in his 17-year career that the former Team USA star out of Wilbraham, Massachusetts had some success with his first team New Jersey before forcing a trade to Edmonton due to his contract status. The Devils sent him and Valeri Zelepukin to Western Alberta in exchange for Jason Arnott and Bryan Muir.

While Guerin went onto become one of the league’s premier power forwards starring with the Oilers, Stars, Sharks and Blues before signing with the Islanders prior to 2007-08, Arnott helped the Devils win their second Cup becoming an overtime hero beating Dallas in Game Six back in 2000.

Since helping the Devs win their first championship tallying three goals and eight assists for 11 points, the best he’s done since is the second round while becoming well traveled.

Amazingly, even on a team that struggles to score, an older/wiser veteran continues to find the back of the net with regularity following last season’s 23 with 13 already in 2008-09 pacing a rebuilding club.

Even more surprising has been Guerin’s durability missing just one game as an Islander in his two years on the Meadowbrook.

Former USA Hockey coach Ron Wilson, who was on the losing end last night also heaped praise on his former pupil:

“That’s a tremendous milestone. I know Billy, and he’s a great guy and very deserving.”

Congratulations Bill Guerin!

From The Battle of New York