How did John Tonelli end up with the New York Islanders? He and Stan Fischler tell the story.

John Tonelli was among the greatest players to don the New York Islanders sweater. His No. 27 hangs in the rafters at UBS Arena, and fans from the past and present have the privilege of seeing the legend walk the arena rather often. 

Everyone knows the role Tonelli played in the Islanders dynasty, as the former second-round selection in 1977 became one of the best 200-foot players the league had ever seen. 

Not to mention it was his pass to Bobby Nystrom in overtime of Game 6 of the 1980 Stanley Cup Final that led to the Islanders first of four straight Stanley Cups. 

Dynasty starter. 

But how did the Milton, Ontario native actually end up on Long Island?

Growing up, Tonelli always tagged along with his brother Ray, who was five years older. That meant when it was time to lace up the skates, Tonelli battled against kids much older than him. And that environment essentially led to Tonelli developing into a strong player at a much earlier age, earning him some attention. 

At the age of 15, Tonelli became the youngest player ever to sign with the Toronto Marlies of the Ontario Hockey Association. 

Three years later, the Houston Aeros of the WHA offered Tonelli a contract worth $500,000. However, his contract with the Marlies disallowed him from signing.

Tonelli and his agent Gus Badali sued the Marlies, ultimately winning as Tonelli was under the age of 18 when he signed his deal, meaning the contract couldn't be enforced. 

So, off to Houston Tonelli went in 1975, spending three seasons with the Aeros before being drafted by the Islanders in 1978.

Wait. He was drafted at 20 years old? 

Tonelli explained the situation during his New York State Hockey Hall of Fame Induction speech this past Sunday in Troy, NY:

Before Stan Fischler became The Maven, his first television job was covering the Aeros. 

Although a stacked Aeros team with the likes of Gordie Howe and his offsprings Mark and Marty, Tonelli stood out:

And that's the story, on how Tonelli became a New York Islander. 

Besides reading his work, you can listen and watch Stefen Rosner talk New York Islanders hockey on Hockey Night in New York with co-host Sean Cuthbert Sunday nights at 8 PM ET during the season.