Ken Morrow Reflects on His Legacy and Connection to Long Island

Ken Morrow, a celebrated member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team and a four-time Stanley Cup champion with the New York Islanders, found himself pulled over by police during a casual drive in Huntington Village. “When they came up, I didn’t know why. I didn’t think I’d been speeding or anything,” Morrow recounted, recalling the officers’ surprise at spotting the Stanley Cup in his car. “Their first words to me were, ‘I thought that was the Stanley Cup in the back of your car.’”

This encounter is just one of many cherished memories for Morrow, who has called Northport home for decades. The Michigan native quickly embraced life on Long Island, stating, “You were just part of the local community, and you didn’t get mobbed or anything like that.” Now serving as the director of pro scouting for the Islanders from his new base in Kansas City, Morrow still holds fond memories of his time in Northport.

Despite his celebrity status, Morrow enjoyed a relatively low-key life. Occasionally, he would receive unexpected visitors. “I remember one time, we had a school bus driver pull in our driveway, and we were trying to figure out what the heck was going on until he came up to the door,” he said. “I struck up a lot of conversations with people. It certainly didn’t bother me at all that people wanted to do that.”

As he reflects on May 24, 1980, the day the Islanders clinched their first Stanley Cup in overtime against the Philadelphia Flyers, Morrow’s emotions remain vivid. “When Bobby Nystrom scored, I think the feeling was relief as much as it was joy,” he shared. The intensity of those moments was palpable; even climbing stairs felt like a challenge during the finals.

Now 68 years old, Morrow returned to Long Island two summers ago and documented his journey in his memoir, “Ken Morrow: Miracle Gold, Four Stanley Cups, and a Lifetime of Islanders Hockey,” co-authored with sportswriter Allan Kreda. His arrival in Nassau County shortly after the historic Olympic victory was a whirlwind experience.

Initially staying at a Holiday Inn near Nassau Coliseum, Morrow didn’t fully grasp the island’s charm right away. However, he quickly noticed the fervor of fans eager for their first championship. “You had a lot of interactions with the fans, which was a really great thing,” he noted.

During his playing days, accessibility was key; players parked outside the arena amidst pregame festivities that Morrow fondly remembers. “The tailgating is something I’ll always remember — probably unique to Long Island,” he said. The sight of fans grilling before games was a first for him, as was being escorted by enthusiastic supporters toward the arena.

Post-victory celebrations also left an indelible mark on Morrow. “Leaving after a victory, when cars would blare a honk to the tune of ‘Let’s go Islanders!’ is something I cherish deep down,” he laughed, reminiscing about joining in on those jubilant moments.

The true magic unfolded within the walls of Uniondale’s arena, where thousands gathered each spring to support their team. “The roar,” Morrow recalled, “that’s a memory that will stay with me. You could hear it through the walls of the locker room. It just gave you chills to walk out.”

While Morrow acknowledges the evolution of the franchise and its new home at UBS Arena, he remains enthusiastic about the team’s legacy. He recalls the electric atmosphere during pivotal moments like Shawn Bates’ penalty shot in 2002 and the Isles’ conference final run in 2021. “There’s something about the old barn,” he said. “It doesn’t take much to bring that out in our fans today.”