'Enjoy it but give it all you can' - Derek King reflects on 1993 Islanders run, offers advice to 2020 team

The Islanders' run to the NHL's Eastern Conference Finals is making fans think of the last Isles team to make it this far in the playoffs.

News 12 Staff

Sep 8, 2020, 5:23 PM

Updated 1,332 days ago

Share:

'Enjoy it but give it all you can' - Derek King reflects on 1993 Islanders run, offers advice to 2020 team
The Islanders' run to the NHL's Eastern Conference Finals is making fans think of the last Isles team to make it this far in the playoffs.
It happened in 1993, and News 12's sports director Kevin Maher caught up with a key player from that squad. Derek King spent 11 seasons with the Isles and scored 38 goals in the magical 1993 season.
He's now the head coach of the Rockford Ice Dogs, living and rooting for the Isles outside of Chicago.
"I think it's great, the messages are going back and forth, we start talking about the old war stories back then. We were excited back then and I hope these guys are just as excited as we were," says King.
King says when his teams were successful, it wasn't always that they had the best rosters, but it was in part because of a quality, tightly knit group of guys.
That 1993 Islanders squad ended up losing to Montreal in the conference finals -- and King offered some advice to the 2020 team.
"I think the big message is enjoy it and leave everything on the ice, because I think a lot of times when you get to the conference finals and you don't take that next step ... when you're done and retired, and you're old and gray, you look back and you maybe question if you gave it enough. So I say enjoy it but give it all you can," he says.
The Isles and Tampa continue the Eastern Conference Finals Wednesday with Game 2.
 


More from News 12
2:12
Stony Brook University professor arrested during protest speaks exclusively with News 12

Stony Brook University professor arrested during protest speaks exclusively with News 12

2:31
Cooldown with sun for Friday; chances for wet weather for part of weekend

Cooldown with sun for Friday; chances for wet weather for part of weekend

2:32
Residents organize rally to demand cleanup of Bethpage Community Park

Residents organize rally to demand cleanup of Bethpage Community Park

1:53
Crowds gather again at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

Crowds gather again at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

1:39
Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

1:29
Students at Wyandanch HS take part in 'Shark Tank' competition

Students at Wyandanch HS take part in 'Shark Tank' competition

0:44
Top LI basketball players compete in annual Alzheimer's All-Star Classic

Top LI basketball players compete in annual Alzheimer's All-Star Classic

1:03
Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

0:22
Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

0:23
3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

1:54
Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

1:21
DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

2:05
'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

0:32
Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

0:26
Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

0:24
Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:27
Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments

Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments