Dennis Vaske

Dennis Vaske was a solid, stay at home defenseman. He played only 235 NHL games (plus 22 in the playoffs) as his career was cut short with some serious concussion issues.

The Rockford, Illinois native was a graduate of the University of Minnesota-Duluth where he majored in Communications. The 6'2" 210lb defenseman's future was in hockey, however. The New York Islanders drafted him in the 2nd round (38th overall).

Vaske didn't leave school and turn pro until 1990. After a couple of seasons shuttling between the NHL and the minor leagues, he became a reliable regular defender with the Islanders by 1993.

Vaske was a solid hitter, though he lacked the quickness to explode into an opponent for the spectacular hit. Instead he was strong guy who excelled in close, one-on-one battles in the corners and in front of the net. Not a fighter or much of an offensive player, Vaske was a solid positional defender who could give his coach and teammates a solid 16-20 minutes a game.

Vaske's career highlight probably came in the 1993 season when he surprised many by cementing his arrival with a great 1993 post-season. The Islanders surprised everyone, making it to the Eastern Conference Finals and knocking off the two time Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins en route.

Vaske unsuspectingly played a big role in the signature moment of that series against the Pengs. In overtime of game seven it was Vaske who broke up a Pittsburgh rush and headmanned the puck to spring Ray Ferraro and David Volek on a 2 on 1. The rest, as they say, is history, with Volek becoming part of Stanley Cup lore.



The following season was his first full season and he did well, with 13 points and very respectable +21. Vaske's future appeared to be bright.

That's when his concussion history started to plague him. It started with a hit from behind by LA's Eric Lacroix costing him much of the 1995-96 season. The following year a second concussion allowed him to play in only 17 games total. A third concussion limited him to just 19 games in 1997-98.

Vaske retired after that season, though he did, against the advice of doctors, attempt a comeback in 1998-99. He played only 3 games with the Bruins, though did show progress with their minor league affiliate in Providence.

Satisfied that he was leaving the game on his own terms, Dennis Vaske hung up his skates for good at the end of that season. In 235 NHL games he scored 5 goals and 46 points.

Goran Hogosta

On November 1st, 1977, rookie Goran Hogosta replaced the injured Billy Smith in the New York Islanders net. Hogosta made 4 saves in the final 9 minutes to preserve the Isles' 9-0 win over Atlanta.

In doing so Hogosta became the second goaltender in history (joining Chicago's Michel Dumas) to share a shutout in his NHL debut. He also became the first European born and trained goaltender in NHL history.

Hogosta was a Swedish all star netminder who was making a name for himself on the international scene in the mid-1970s. In fact, by 1977 he was named as the IIHF's top goaltender at the World Championships after the stand-up goalie stood up the mighty Soviets not once but twice (3-1 and 5-1) en route to winning a silver medal! He also represented Sweden at the 1976 Canada Cup.

The Islanders signed him shortly after the 1977 Worlds, but aside from the 9 minute relief appearance he played exclusively in the minor leagues.

Hogosta resurfaced in the NHL in 1979-80 when he played 21 games with the Quebec Nordiques. With a 5-12-3 record and a 4.15 GAA it was not exactly a banner campaign there, either.

Hogosta returned to Sweden after that season and continued playing until 1986.

Bryan Lefley

Bryan Lefley had an interesting life cut short due to an automobile accident

The native of Grosse Isle, Manitoba and former New York Islander, Kansas City Scout and Colorado Rockie was driving his Mercedes Oct.29 1997 in Italy when it crashed into an oncoming truck.

He was just 49 years old.

Lefley was in Italy serving as the Italian national hockey team's head coach. Hockey in Italy? Its true, although many of their players are transplanted Canadians with Italian citizenship. Lefley guided the Italian hockey program in two different tenures, as well as coaching Italian League championship teams. In all Lefley coached the Italian national team in the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics and at 6 World Championships.

The younger brother of Chuck Lefley (a former 40 goal scorer with the St. Louis Blues), Bryan was not as gifted a hockey player. He played in 228 games in the NHL, playing both as a defenseman and left winger. His role was primarily a defensive one, although he did manage to chip in 7 goals and 36 points.

He extended his playing career by heading overseas and playing in both Germany and Switzerland. He would later coach in both of those countries, but was best known as a coach in Italy.

Billy Carroll

Some all time greats like Marcel Dionne, Brad Park, Peter Stastny and Gilbert Perreault enjoyed Hall of Fame careers but never won the Stanley Cup.

Then there's fellows like Billy Carroll. The role player/extra cracked the New York Islanders line up in 1981 and won the Stanley Cup in each of his first 3 seasons. He then moved onto Edmonton where he helped the Oilers win the Stanley Cup in 1985.

"I was just thankful to be in the league, let alone on another team that had such a talented bunch of guys."

Billy Carroll is probably the most forgettable guy from either dynasty, but he was a very serviceable player. He excelled in his limited role of checker and penalty killer. He contributed without scoring much (just 30 goals in 322 career NHL games) but was a coaches delight.

What does Carroll remember most about his days with the Islanders?

"The best players were always the best players in critical situations. And to their credit, the stars didn't make defensive players like me feel any different, other than on payday that is. But the organization was very good about creating roles people could succeed in. It was made very clear to me what would be my job."

How did that contrast with Edmonton?

"In New York most of the team was married and the big gunners in Edm were single, so the dynamics of the teams were different, but both clubs knew the sacrifices it took to win."

Bill Carroll now owns skylight and window manufacturing plant in Pickering, Ontario.