Alan Hahn, a Long Island native and sports journalist, has weighed in on the Islanders' fan-designed third jersey contest, expressing his strong opinion on the fisherman logo's potential return. Hahn, who has a deep connection to the team's history, believes the fisherman logo should have been retired years ago, as it was part of an era that almost led to the franchise's demise. He recalls the negative response from fans and players during the 1990s, including a quote from Darius Kasparaitis, who felt the logo made them look like idiots. Hahn's personal experience with the Islanders' intern program during the fisherman logo's creation adds to his strong feelings about the design. He worries that bringing back the fisherman logo could be a mistake, especially considering the team's current success and the fans' love for nostalgia. The Islanders have received over 80,000 submissions for the jersey contest, with eight finalists, including two featuring the fisherman logo, two lighthouses, two with 'ISLANDERS' or 'ISLES' across the chest, and two with an 'NY' logo. Hahn's preference is for the classic 'NY' logo in navy blue, which he believes captures the essence of the team's identity. The voting process is ongoing, with fans having the opportunity to choose their favorite design. The winning entry will be announced soon, and the creator will receive a team-signed jersey and tickets to a future game. Hahn's commentary highlights the importance of preserving the team's identity and the potential pitfalls of nostalgia, leaving readers with a thought-provoking perspective on the Islanders' jersey contest.
