On this day in 2020, the New York Islanders retired the number of Stanley Cup champion forward John Tonelli. His number was raised to the rafters ahead of their game against the Detroit Red Wings at Nassau Coliseum.
Tonelli was drafted by the Islanders in the 1977 NHL Draft, where he ultimately played eight seasons with the franchise. In 594 games, he recorded 206 goals and 325 assists for 511 points. However, he is known for some of the most important plays in franchise history.
Some of his most famous goals came during the 1981-82 season, starting in February of that season against the Colorado Rockies. With just a minute left, he scored the game-winner that gave the Islanders their 15 straight win, setting a then-NHL record.
In the playoffs that season, the Islanders faced the Pittsburgh Penguins in a winner-takes-all Game 5. He scored a pair of late goals, including an overtime winner, to save the team’s dynasty en route to their third straight championship.
Most notably, he connected with Bobby Nystrom in Game 6 of the 1980 Stanley Cup Final in overtime, giving the Islanders their first Stanley Cup title.
Tonelli became the first Islander since Bryan Trottier in 2001 to have his number retired. Longtime teammate Butch Goring’s number 91 joined him in the rafters just over a week later on Feb. 29.
In the game that followed, forward Jordan Eberle made some history of his own, scoring a hat trick in a 4-1 win. He recorded a goal in each period of the contest, including a power play tally in the final minute of regulation to clinch it.
As Tonelli’s number hangs in the rafters, it is now grandfathered by Islanders captain Anders Lee. With his blessing, Lee will be the last man to ever wear number 27 before it will never be worn again by the franchise.
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Matthew Page contributed to this story.