Pat Flatley: chairman of the boards
By Stan Fischler
They called him "The Chairman of the Boards."
Patrick Flatley goes down in Islanders history as arguably the most underrated player of the post-dynasty era. He was the man you wanted on the ice when the game was on the line – especially if a puck had to be ferreted out of the corner or along the "wall" to formulate a key offensive play.
Patrick was one of most dependable players," said coach Al Arbour, "whether we were going on the attack or playing defense. There were very few quite like him."A Toronto native, Flatley developed his game in the city's vast amateur hockey system. His all-round skills earned the right wing a scholarship at the University of Wisconsin for the 1981-82 season.
The Islanders had won Stanley Cups in 1980 and 1981 but also had their eyes on the future. General Manager Bill Torrey's chief birddog, Jimmy Devellano, already had unearthed gems in the Entry Draft and Flatley was no exception.
"We liked the fact that Flatley knew how to play a two-way game," Devellano explained. "He had good size and it was apparent that the desire was there. So we went after him."
The 1982 Draft was an extraordinary one for Torrey and his hands. Picking third, the club was able to pluck future Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine. Torrey was just as astute in 1983, plucking Chairman Flatley at pick number 26.
After two years of collegiate hockey, Flatley was selected for the Canadian Olympic team. Ironically, he played a key part in Team Canada defeating Uncle Sam's sextet -- with LaFontaine -- and suddenly Flatley found himself in the spotlight.
Post-Olympics, both Pat and Patrick signed on with the four-time Cup champ Isles who were in the "Drive For Five" mode. Flatley scored on his first NHL shot on goal and was immediately welcomed -- along with LaFontaine -- to the varsity.
"It was a huge thrill to line up with guys like Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier and Denis Potvin," Flats remembered. "I knew I had my work cut out for me."
Arbour put Flatley on a line with center Brent Sutter and left wing Clark Gillies for the 1984 Stanley Cup playoff run. Although the Isles lost the Stanley Cup Final to Edmonton, Patrick produced a healthy nine goals and six assists for 15 points
"We knew then and there," said Torrey, "that Patrick was here to stay as an Islander."
The Flatley arsenal was varied. His smooth, accurate wrist shot earned a nickname, "The Silencer," because it went into the net with a hum. And he used his 6-2, 195-pound fuselage to his advantage, especially in the legendary 1984 playoff with the Rangers.
That the Isles won the series three games to two was largely due to the fact that a clean, devastating Flatley bodycheck scuttled the behemoth Rangers captain Barry Beck for the remainder of the series.
Typically, Flats would joke about it, claiming that he had to eliminate Beck, "otherwise he might have gotten up and killed me."
Patrick's innate good humor invariably cheered the Coliseum dressing room and beyond. Along with his close pal, goalie Glenn Healy, Flatley starred in a regular video series, "The Heals and Flats Show," produced by Kevin Meininger for SportsChannel, which then featured Islanders games on TV.
"Patrick and Glenn were just natural comics together," chuckled Meininger, "and for one season we had so much fun doing the segments. And the fans loved them as well."
Flatley peaked as a pro -- Healy, too -- during the 1992-93 season. His point total -- 13-47-60 -- was a career high. Before an injury sidelined him, Flats played 15 postseason games, totaling nine points as the Isles dethroned the two-time Cup champion Penguins in one of hockey's most arresting upsets.
Patrick's leadership qualities were rewarded when he donned the captain's "C" and -- with the exception of one season -- he played his entire career powerfully and wisely with the Islanders!
