Renowned for his variety of acting roles, Long Island's Ralph Macchio is a Maven favorite for his performances in the blockbuster "The Karate Kid" as well as "Cobra Kai." But, among other reasons why I love the guy is his devotion -- through thick and thin-- to the New York Islanders as well as the hockey club's firm link to the actor.

Renowned for his variety of acting roles, Long Island's Ralph Macchio is a Maven favorite for his performances in the blockbuster "The Karate Kid" as well as "Cobra Kai."

But, among other reasons why I love the guy is his devotion -- through thin and thick -- to the New York Islanders as well as the hockey club's firm link to the actor.

In case you weren't around three decades ago, Macchio, 61, was featured as the team's celebrity captain in the 1991 Pro Set Platinum trading card series.

Better still, seven years ago, the club featured a Macchio bobblehead promotion with Ralph's likeness in the team's uniform, donning his iconic "crane kick" pose from "The Karate Kid."

For more insights into our celebrity-lifetime fan, check out the topics Ralph addressed below.

HIS FIRST RECOLLECTIONS OF THE ISLES AS A KID:

"Word was out about an NHL expansion team not only coming to Long Island but literally as if the Islanders were being dropped into our own backyard. My fandom started in the early 1970s after being taken to a handful of games at Nassau Coliseum. 

“At the time, the basketball Nets were in the ABA, and I also caught some of their games. But it wasn't until I'd become a teenager of 14 that I really got hooked on hockey."

THE TIME HE BECAME A TRUE FAN:

"Late in the 1974-75 season, the Islanders were fighting for their first playoff berth after missing in their first two years. They clinched in the homestretch and wound up playing the Rangers -- of all teams! -- in the first round of the playoffs. 

"Because we were the new guys in the league while the Blueshirts had been around forever -- and finished ahead of us -- the Rangers were favored to beat us. It was a best-of-three series, and we split the first two games, which meant the clincher would be at The Garden. After J.P. Parise's overtime goal knocked them off, I went 'all in' with the Isles. Call it 'Bit by the hockey bug,' if you will, but there's been no turning back for me since then."

HOW RALPH HANDLED RANGERS FANS IN THOSE EARLY DAYS:

"Well, there was the rivalry on the ice, and then we kids carried it over to the schoolyards and the neighborhood playgrounds and even to Half Hollow Hills Central School during English and Social Studies classes. 

"The best part was that our Islanders were getting better and better in the few years following that 1975 Rangers series."

MACCHIO'S FAVORITE ISLANDERS AND WHY:

"Before any of the future Hall of Famers arrived, my first favorite was defenseman Gerry Hart who was on the Original (1972-73) team. He brought a feistiness during those first two seasons when we needed someone -- and something -- to cheer about. Next came Denis Potvin, our first star signing in the second year.

"Denis quarterbacked the power play and was a legitimate scoring defenseman in the Bobby Orr era. Bryan Trottier and Bobby Bourne followed among the guys who I admired. Trots had that effortless leadership and would eventually anchor the top line. Bourne was the speed demon. His coast-to-coast goal against the Rangers in the 1983 playoffs remains unforgettable. Then, along came Mike Bossy -- the natural; and arguably the greatest natural scorer of all time."

JUGGLING ROOTING TIME WITH ACTING TIME:

"Right after the first Cup in 1980, I had to move out to California for a TV series role on a show called 'Eight Is Enough.' That was followed by films; first 'The Outsiders,' filmed in Oklahoma in 1982, and then 'The Karate Kid,' which was filmed in California in 1983. That meant that I missed a bunch of the games and Cups with travel and work."

HOW HE KEPT UP WITH THE TEAM: 

"I always had my finger on the pulse while talking to family and friends back home. But -- I have to admit that -- I definitely fell off a bit during the late 1980s and into the early 1990s during the team's rough years. 

"But when my wife and I had our kids in the mid-1990s, we started to go to games again and re-established ourselves being at the Coliseum in person and just generally being back on the Island. And in the last ten years, I've been far more active with the team like it was in the late 1970s and early 1980s. All things considered, it's been a blast sharing it all with my family, something that had been such a big part of adolescence."

RALPH'S FOUR MOST MEMORABLE GAMES: 

"I'll start off with the night Mike Bossy scored his 50th goal in his 50th game. Next up, Clark Gillies beating up on Terry O'Reilly -- more than once -- in that classic playoff series against the Bruins. 

"Of course, how could I ever forget John Tonelli's pass to Bob Nystrom, giving the Isles their first Stanley Cup -- leading to four in a row. Finally, the last game at The Old Barn was memorable in a lot of ways. That was Game Six against Tampa when Beauvillier scored the overtime goal!"

HIS FRIENDS AMONG THE PLAYERS: 

"Only in recent times have I gotten to know the players -- and retired players -- personally. I have wonderful memories; especially the time that I spent with Clark Gillies and how saddened I was by his sudden passing. He was such a great spirit and friendly gentleman beneath that ferocious enforcer on the ice as a player. I've had great conversations -- and fun reminiscences with Denis Potvin, Bryan Trottier, and John Tonelli, as well as Billy Smith and his family. A few months before his passing, Mike Bossy and I had an interaction on Twitter that was one of mutual respect, and to this day, it stands out for me."

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCYaFTRyivs[/embed]

MACCHIO LOOKS BACK AT THE EARLY DAYS AND HIS CURRENT FEELINGS:

"It's interesting how my childhood hockey heroes became my contemporaries. It actually speaks to the way in which the New York Islanders were defined -- celebrity status or not.

"Let's face it; they were and are Long Island's team. They make you feel as if they are like my cousins or good friends; sort of out there playing the game in my backyard. That's changed somewhat with new personalities, but I still feel that warmth with Anders Lee, Casey Cizikas, and Adam Pelech, just to name a few."

THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS ABOUT THE CURRENT TEAM:

"I'm optimistic about the upcoming season, especially with the prospect of Mat Barzal and Bo Horvat playing together on a line. I'm eager to see that unit unfold. Let's not forget that we saw the early signs of their chemistry before Barzy's injury. Frankly, I'm eager to see those two mature and jell as a top unit. I'm looking forward to them getting Oliver Wahlstrom back.

"As for the defense, I can see an opportunity for some of the young guys to step up and solidify the defensive core. That's going to be very important. The goaltending is locked up and elite with Sorokin and Varly. Overall, I don't see much of a change in personnel from last year's club. We have to execute and stay healthy.

"With that in mind, I believe that the team can go deep in the playoffs. That said, I should add that they might have to do something at the Trade Deadline in order to reach that next level. My conclusion is this: I'm looking forward to a winning season and for playoff hockey which always is one of the most exciting events in pro sports."

ONE FURTHER COMMENT:

"Let's Go Islanders!"