Christian Arnold
When the New York Islanders dropped the puck on the 2020-21 season on Thursday, forward Josh Bailey made a bit of team history at the same time. You’d never realize, though, by the way he talked about it.
The season opener against the New York Rangers officially marked the start of Bailey’s 13th season with the Islanders. He became just the fifth player in franchise history to do so.
The seasoned forward had never been one to talk about himself and that stayed true on Thursday when the conversation shifted to his milestone.
“It’s an honor for sure,” Bailey said before shifting focus back onto the team. “Just excited to get going like always. I think we’re excited about our opportunity here. It’s going to be a tough season and looking forward to puck drop.”
Bailey is as big of a team-first guy as they come. Individual accomplishments often receive a monotoned response before the longtime Islander puts the spotlight back on what his team has done.
That has made him such an important piece of the Islanders success over the years and an invaluable presence around the locker room.
“Bails has been such a mainstay in our room for so long and he has so much to offer on and off the ice,” Islanders captain Anders Lee said. “I think just all of his experiences and what he’s gone through, and the way his career has continued to progress. It’s just someone all of us turn to at times.”
