6 Hockey Players who Played for Flyers and Islanders
My guess is you’ve searched this page out because you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
If I’m right, that also means that today’s grid is asking for players who have played for both the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Islanders.
And, I’m also guessing that you’re a little stuck on this particular square and you’re looking for a little help to keep your grid immaculate. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, I’m here to help.
I’ve already done the research and have put together a list of well-known stars along with some more “under-the-radar” players that could land you a low rarity score.
Mike Sillinger
Mike Sillinger is a player known for his journeyman career in the NHL. Over the course of his tenure in the league, Sillinger earned the unique distinction of playing for a record 12 different NHL teams, the most by any player in league history. This constant movement earned him the nickname of the “NHL’s most traded player.”
Sillinger started his NHL career after being drafted 11th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. While he showcased skill and versatility as a center, he frequently found himself on the move, transitioning between teams either through trades or free agency.
Despite the frequent relocations, Sillinger was consistently productive wherever he played. Over his 1,049 NHL games, he accumulated 548 points, proving his value as a reliable two-way forward.
Luca Sbisa
Luca Sbisa is an Italian-born Swiss former defenseman, who is currently a development coach for the San Jose Sharks. He played in the NHL for various teams, including the Philadelphia Flyers, Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks, Vegas Golden Knights, New York Islanders, Winnipeg Jets, and Nashville Predators.
Sbisa was drafted 19th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2008. He was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in 2009. In 2014, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks. Sbisa was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft but was not re-signed by them in 2018, leading to a contract with the New York Islanders.
He returned briefly to the Ducks in 2019 before being claimed by the Winnipeg Jets off waivers. Sbisa was signed by the Jets again in 2020 and later claimed by the Nashville Predators in 2021. Sbisa’s NHL career totals include 549 games, with 20 goals, 93 assists, and 113 points.
Garth Snow
Garth Snow began his NHL goaltending career with the Quebec Nordiques after being drafted in the 6th round of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. After two years in Quebec, he also played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, and New York Islanders.
Particularly during his time with the Flyers and Islanders, Snow established himself as a reliable netminder, often stepping up in crucial moments for his teams.
Following his playing days, Snow transitioned into the administrative side of hockey. In 2006, shortly after his retirement as a player, he was named the general manager of the New York Islanders, a position he held for over a decade.
Nate Thompson
Nate Thompson is an American former professional ice hockey forward with a diverse NHL career. Drafted by the Boston Bruins in the sixth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Thompson’s professional journey began with major junior hockey for the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds before moving to the Bruins’ AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins.
Thompson’s NHL debut came in the 2006–07 season with the Bruins, but he spent the majority of that season in the AHL. In 2008 he was claimed off waivers by the Islanders and, despite a series of injuries, he scored his first NHL goal. In the 2009–10 season, Thompson moved to the Lightning, where he achieved career-highs in goals, assists, and points.
After his time with the Lightning, Thompson spent the next 8 seasons bouncing around quite a few different teams including the Ducks, Senators, Kings, Canadiens, Flyers, Jets, and finally, the Flyers again.
Jim Dowd
Jim Dowd, an American former center, had a remarkable 17-season NHL career, playing for ten different teams. He made history by becoming the first New Jersey native to play for the New Jersey Devils, with whom he debuted in the 1991-92 season after a successful college career.
Dowd’s tenure with the Devils was highlighted by scoring the game-winning goal in Game 2 of the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals, helping them secure their first championship.
After leaving the Devils, Jim Dowd played for a series of NHL teams, including the Whalers, Canucks, Islanders, Flames, Predators, Oilers, Wild, Canadiens, Blackhawks, and Avalanche. His career was marked by various trades and signings, with significant playing time at the Oilers and nearly four seasons with the Wild.
Alexei Zhitnik
Alexei Zhitnik, a prominent defenseman, began his NHL career with the Los Angeles Kings in 1992 after being drafted 81st overall in 1991. His career in the NHL spanned over 15 seasons across five teams, including a significant period with the Buffalo Sabres.
Zhitnik played an instrumental role in the Kings’ Stanley Cup Finals run in his rookie season and helped the Sabres win the Northeast Division in the 1996-97 season. He also led all defensemen in shorthanded goals in the 1997-98 season and was part of the Sabres’ team that reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1998-99.
His career stats boast 1085 games played, 96 goals, 375 assists, and a total of 471 points, alongside 1268 penalty minutes. He also assisted on Wayne Gretzky’s 1000th goal, and on February 20, 2007, became the eighth defenseman born outside of North America, and the first born in the Soviet Union, to appear in 1,000 NHL games.
