When The Long Island Ducks Quacked with Zany Hockey
In the late 1960s, a trip to the Long Island Arena felt like a page torn from the movie “Slapshot.” The arena, home to the Long Island Ducks, was a place where the unexpected was routine and every game a carnival of chaos. According to The Hockey News, the arena’s unique charm drew in crowds as much for the hockey as for the antics in the stands.
The Pioneering Vision
Tom Lockhart, the business manager of the Rangers, had the foresight to establish the Long Island Arena in the late 1950s, recognizing the ripe potential of Suffolk County. His vision placed the Ducks amidst a rapidly growing community hungry for sports and entertainment.
A Legacy of Anarchy on Ice
The Ducks, named after Great South Bay’s fowl, brought their own flavor to the rink. When owner Al Baron took over, the zaniness only amplified. From a live duck skating amidst the Zamboni to fans pelting referees with beer bottles, the arena was an epicenter of unbridled enthusiasm. Players often stopped games to watch the raucous fights breaking out amongst the fans.
Unforgettable Characters
The stories from the arena are legendary. Buzz Deschamps, a former forward for the Ducks, famously quipped about the frequent riots erupting during games. Even the Zamboni driver was known for exchanging blows with a crowd member—a testament to the arena’s rollicking atmosphere.
A Not-So-Genteel Arena
Concerts, wrestling matches, and roller derbies filled the schedule, ensuring that the Long Island Arena was never short on excitement. Its history, richly chronicled by Joe Rossi in “The Long Island Arena – A Hockey Story And More,” captures the spirit of a bygone era where sports were untamed and unpredictably delightful.
Reliving the Chaos
For those yearning to reconnect with the past, Rossi’s book brings the lively stories of Commack’s ice palace back to life. The adventures of the Ducks, in all their wildness, continue to captivate, reminding us of a time when hockey was unruly yet irresistibly magnetic.
The Long Island Arena may have vanished from the physical world, but its stories endure, echoing the joyful pandemonium that once quacked from the Ducks’ home.
