Newsday: June 23rd 1995

 Islanders co-chairman Steve Walsh introduced the team's newest acquisition - the "Islander" - yesterday at the Nassau Coliseum. He's the centerpiece of the Islanders' first design change in 23 years.

The hockey club's latest management is entrusting the crusty, stick-wielding seafarer to bring the Islanders into the 1990s and give the franchise a more regional flavor, and at the same time, mass appeal.

"I like the new logo, especially the lighthouse - that looks really good," said Michael Schad, 13, of Rockville Centre. He was one of the few lucky fans invited to attend the unveiling at the Coliseum and see the jerseys hanging in the lockers of players. "I saw some of the early designs, this one looks the best. It works."

The Islanders also showed the evolutionary process of developing a new logo. There were a number of rough drafts, and three finalists were drawn up, from which the new logo was selected.

Forward Brett Lindros wore the new road jersey to an autograph session last night at Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove, giving more than 300 fans their first chance to see the new-look Islanders.

Lindros said that the jersey won't help players perform any better, but it is a welcome change.

"I think it might be different if I would have played here longer," Lindros, the 19-year-old rookie, said of the new look. "But the way things are going with the organization - we're going though changes right now and maybe the new jersey will help the fan identify with the team a little more."

Just the sight of Lindros, new uniform or not, had a pack of 14-year-old girls swooning.

"I think it looks very good on him," said Melissa Florio, of Stony Brook, who was sporting a Pierre Turgeon jersey. "I like the old one better, but I guess it's time for a change. They have a whole new team, so why not?"

A few old-time fans believe wins would easily solve the Islanders' identity crisis. "If they were a winning team, they'd be better as far as marketing and apparel sales are concerned," said John Tumblason, 24, of Brentwood.

Earlier yesterday, Newsday went to Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, just minutes from the Coliseum, to poll hockey fans on the new logo. Those who saw the design were startled at first, and excited after giving the new look time to register.

"They don't really fit the sport of hockey too well, but they're using modern colors and designs of the new teams like the {NFL's expansion Carolina} Panthers " said Matt Seligman, 15, of Roslyn, as he was leaving Foot Locker. "The color scheme is much better, it fits the Island more than the old one did. I think it should catch on."

The Islanders announced that hats and T-shirts bearing the new logo will be available today at some, but not all Modell's Sporting Goods, Sports Authority, Cosby's and J.C. Penney. Jerseys will hit stores Aug. 1.

The uniforms consist of four main colors: blue, orange, Atlantic green and silver.

"It looks like the {San Jose} Sharks, which is one of our biggest sellers," said Steve Sandler, an assistant manager at the Mets Clubouse Shop. "The colors are very attractive.

"Any new merchandise sells. We have the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and the teams won't play 'til 1998, but we're selling caps and T-shirts like you wouldn't believe."

Just what the Islanders, who rank low in nationwide sales of merchandise, wanted to hear.

Farther down the mall, the employees at Champs Sports were equally positive. Store manager Mitch Marks said his store does more volume than any other Champs outlet in the nation. And although Islanders apparel already does well there, he said it will sell even faster once the new design arrives.

"It's a much nicer combination than the old colors," Marks said. "They weren't standing out like some of the other teams. The old colors were blue and orange, pretty basic. It'll be a hot item and we'll use this to build on other business as well."

The Islanders only hope they can do the same on the ice once the new season opens.
Illustration

Newsday photo by Bill Davis- It's not only the new jersey that has twins Melissa, left, and Jessica Florio of Stony Brook happy; they got to hug Brett Lindros. Greg Packer of Huntington joined in.