fixing fitz
By stan fischler
Mark Fitzpatrick was a typical Western Canadian hockey player on the rise. And he knew what he wanted.
"Like most kids my age," the tall, lanky redhead said while playing goal for the Medicine Hat Tigers, "my aim is to eventually play in the National Hockey League."
Fitzpatrick was off to a good start. Junior hockey's version of the Stanley Cup is an exhaustive round of playoff games leading to the title trophy, the Memorial Cup. Mark helped win it not once, but twice.
That was good enough for Los Angeles Kings scouts, and Fitz was plucked by LA in the 1987 Entry Draft in the first round, 27th overall. He spent a year with the Kings and thought he was in Tinseltown to stay but, unknown to Mark, the Islanders had their eyes on him.
"Our dynasty years were past," said GM Bill Torrey. "Now it was time for me to move players and start a rebuilding program. Fitz was one of the guys I was after."
Although Kelly Hrudey had been one of the most popular Islanders, Torrey decided that he was worth the price for a deal.
On February 22, 1989, Hrudey was traded to the Kings and in return the Isles received Fitzpatrick and defenseman Wayne McBean.
"I was pleased," Fitz admitted, "I felt that on the Island I'd play a lot more games."
There were murmurs of discontent over the moves, but Torrey wasted no time criticizing the critics.
"We were the best team in the 1980's," Torrey assured, "and what I'm trying to do is have the best team in the 1990's. I admit it's a gamble, but as good as Kelly is, we've been losing. It's time to look ahead."
With future Hall of Famer Bill Smith retiring, the Isles’ goaltending would be shared by Fitz and Jeff Hackett. Moving through the 1989-90 season it looked like a solid one-two goaltending punch.
"I could feel that my game was improving," said Fitzpatrick, "and the numbers were backing me up."
He finished the 89-90 campaign with 19 wins and a like number of losses which -- all things being equal with a rebuilding team -- was uplifting for Fitz and management as well.
Fitz, in particular, began looking like an All-Star. After a trade that sent Mikko Makela to L.A. for center Hubie McDonough and defenseman Ken Baumgartner, the team went on a tear.
Facing goalie John Vanbiesbrouck of the Rangers, Mark played what then was his best game as a big-leaguer, matching Beezer save for save in 0-0 tie. "That night will be one I'll never forget," said Fitzpatrick.
At another point, Fitz ran off eight-straight wins and three shutouts en route to the Islanders clinching a playoff berth on the final night of the season. The following fall training camp offered lots of promise, but then, Mark began suffering muscle-swelling in his joints and tissues.
The disease was diagnosed as eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS). Doctors reported that the neurological disease could potentially be fatal. Fortunetaly, time and treatment proved to be the double-dip healer. Mark beat the disease, rehabbed in the minors and was actually able to play two games for the Isles in March, looking healthy again.
By September 1991 training camp, Fitz was ready to challenge the odds and test his comeback-ability. His eventual success proved to be one of the feel-good stories of 1991-92. He played in 30 games and finished with the NHL's fifth-best save percentage at .902. When voting for the Masterton Trophy was held, the doughty Mark Fitzpatrick was a worthy winner.
In the long history of the Islanders, Fitz's successful comeback remains one of the best examples of courage and perseverance over adversity!