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The Sound Tigers ninth and final "show stopper" with the New York Islanders during the 2006-07 season is Drew Fata. He played in the final game of the Islanders season as a part of the defensive unit in game five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Buffalo Sabres.

Before last season began however, if you asked Fata if he would make his National Hockey League debut this past season with the Islanders, he might have said "you must be dreaming." Fata signed a two-way AHL/ECHL contract at the start of last season. As the Sound Tigers' year progressed however, Fata showed signs that he was not only confident and playing well in the AHL but he was ready for the NHL.

On February 3, Fata walked into the MCI Center in Washington D.C. and pulled on his number 49 jersey with the historic Islanders logo on the crest. In four games with the Islanders, counting the one playoff game, Fata scored a goal against the Ottawa Senators and was involved in a fight during a game against the New Jersey Devils. Fata, along with Frans Nielsen, were the only Sound Tigers to score their first National Hockey League goal this season.

Tell me about the day you were called up to the Islanders for the first time
We were in Portland and I was walking to rink with Jeremy Collition. We had seen that morning that Islanders' defenseman Radek Martinek had broken his leg so Jeremy was kidding me that I'd be the next one up. I ignored him because I needed to concentrate on our game that night against the Pirates. 20 minutes later Cappy (coach Jack Capuano) pulled me aside and I was expecting him to inform me about some scouting report on the Pirates but instead he congratulated me and told me I was flying to Washington to meet with the Islanders for their game against the Capitals. A limo took me to the airport and I flew to Washington. With the Sound Tigers, on the road we wear track suits but in the NHL, they wear suits which I didn't have with me on the trip. Luckily, Jeremy had his with him and I tried it on and it was a close fit but a little too short. The pants came to my ankles and the jacket to my forearms. The guys started singing, "Fat guy in a little coat..." It was worth it though, I needed a suit and it was going to have to do. When I landed, I had no idea where or what I was to do. There was no cab or limo driver holding my name so I was lost. Then a man came to me and asked if I was with the Islanders and he took me to the hotel. I walked into my room and went to sleep. The Islanders had not yet arrived so I fell asleep only to be greeted in the middle of the night by Richard Park, who was a great roommate.

Last season you pretty much the self-appointed enforcer for the team. Tell me how you got the role, respected the role and played every game with every team knowing that you were the guy to go to if something had to happen.
There were definitely good and bad things about having the role of a fighter on the team. I knew before every game the other teams' enforcer was studying the media notes to see who was the guy they'd have to fight. Sometimes you like it knowing that some guys are afraid of you but there are a lot of tough guys out there and I certainly am not one of them. I just tried to hold my own and make sure that our players were not disrespected.

You fought Mike Rupp this season in the NHL. How would you describe the fight? What is the difference between an NHL to an AHL fight, if there is one?
There is no difference between an NHL and AHL level fight. It all depends on who you go with. I would have liked my first NHL fight to have been a bit longer, but I think I snuck one good shot in there and he may of landed a few but overall it was just a little scrum. I could have easily avoided the whole situation but as a recent call-up, I had the opportunity to do it, so I did.

You scored your first NHL goal with the Islanders last season in Ottawa. Tell me about that.
I wish it was a more crucial goal and meant something towards the outcome of the game. It was in Ottawa and we lost the game 5-2. Unwritten rules say that you are not allowed to celebrate a goal when you're about to lose. Inside however, I was going nuts...ecstatic. I held it in because you do not want to show up other team up. My celebration was when I was on the plane home looking out the window, I realized that I had just done something many players can only dream of. It was in a tough loss but believe me, I'll take it.

How are you preparing for the upcoming season during this off-season? I've really tried to concentrate on my quickness. Speed is the name of our game now so if I can be one of the faster guys on the ice, I will have an advantage. I've spent time in the gym and on the ice as much as I can. I am going to Rochester in a week or two to skate with a couple of guys from my hometown of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Other than that, I been trying to relax and play golf with my friends and family. My sister just got married so we had a nice party for her and then a good friend and ex-Sound Tiger, Cole Jarrett got married and I went to his celebration so it has been a fun summer.