BIRTH OF THE ISLANDERS

THE ISLANDERS JOIN THE NHL IN THE 1972-73 SEASON

Ed Westfall served as the first team captain

Billy Harris was the first pick in the 1972 amateur draft and played with the team until 1980

1972 expansion draft results

Pick Player Pos. Selected From Isles Stats
2 Gerry Desjardins G Chicago Black Hawks 80GP 14-52-9 
4 Billy Smith G Los Angeles Kings 675GP 304-230-104 1G 12A 13P 484 PIM 
5 Bart Crashley D Montreal Canadiens  
7 Dave Hudson C Chicago Black Hawks 132GP 14G 29A 43P 24 PIM
9 Ed Westfall RW Boston Bruins 493GP 105G 181A 286P 134PIM
11 Garry Peters C Boston Bruins  
13 Larry Hornung D St. Louis Blues  
15 Bryan Lefley D New York Rangers 70GP 3G 7A 10P 56PIM
17 Brian Spencer LW Toronto Maple Leafs 132GP 19G 40A 59P 155PIM
19 Terry Crisp C St. Louis Blues 54GP 4G 16A 20P 6PIM
21 Ted Hampson C Minnesota North Stars  
23 Gerry Hart D Detroit Red Wings 476GP 20G 108A 128P 783PIM
25 John Schella D Vancouver Canucks  
27 Bill Mikkelson D Los Angeles Kings 72GP 1G 10A 11P 45PIM
29 Craig Cameron RW Minnesota North Stars 187GP 35G 34A 69P 59PIM
31 Tom Miller C Toronto Maple Leafs 89GP 15G 18A 33P 25PIM
33 Brian Marchinko C Buffalo Sabres 42GP 2G 6A 8P 0PIM
35 Ted Taylor LW Vancouver Canucks  
37 Norm Ferguson RW California Golden Seals  
39 Jim Mair D Philadelphia Flyers 49GP 2G 11A 13P 41 PIM
41 Ken Murray D Buffalo Sabres 39GP 0G 4A 4P 59 PIM

The islanders went 12-60-6 in their first season, but had the first overall pick in 1973 and selected denis potvin