New York Islanders

NY Islanders sign affiliation with Stockton Thunder

The New York Islanders and the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL and have reached a one year affiliation agreement for the 2013-14 season.
The Thunder previously had an NHL affiliation with the Edmonton Oilers (2006-13), San Jose Sharks (2010-12) and Phoenix Coyotes (2005-06).

Islanders suspend Lubomir Visnovsky

New York Islanders announced that club has officially suspended defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky after he has not arrived for training camp. Visnovsky has tried to remain with his European club, Slovan Bratislava, despite a rule prohibiting that. The NHL and KHL have an agreement that any player with an NHL contract must return to his club once the lockout is lifted. The KHL is complying and won't let Visnovsky play in Russia now that the lockout has ended.

KHL cancels Višňovský’s contract with Slovan Bratislava

As a new NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement has been ratified by both the clubs and NHLPA, all the players with a valid NHL contract are obliged to join their teams in pre-season training camps. A Slovak defender Ľubomír Višňovský did not like the idea at all and stated he wish to finish the 2012/13 season in the KHL team of Slovan Bratislava due to personal reasons. But his NHL employer, the New York Islanders, do not want to accept that and called Višňovský to arm repeatedly. As the 36-year old player was not willing to travel across the Atlantic Ocean anyway, the Islanders asked the KHL Board to cancel Višňovský's contract with Slovan and they succeeded. KHL commented the decision the league wants to follow the NHL - KHL Memorandum about respecting of players' contracts, but will keep negotiating with the Islanders about possible compromise.

Mark Streit and Nino Niederreiter will play the World Championship

The Swiss stars of New York Islanders, Mark Streit and Nino Niederreiter, have confirmed that they will play the World Championship. Niederreiter will join the Swiss team April 16 and Streit April 24.

Switzerland opens their WC campaign against Kazakhstan May 5 in Helsinki.