Tony DeAngelo wasn't expecting another NHL shot, but he's found it — and more — with the Islanders

EAST MEADOW, N.Y.

He came back from Russia on Jan.

14, expecting to spend time with family, watch hockey and think about his next move.

For Tony DeAngelo, who seemed to see his last chance as an NHL player go by when none of the leagues 32 teams wanted to bring him in, even on a tryout, before the 2024-25 season, that next move could have been anything.

But it didnt look like playing was an option.

Advertisement Whether I was done playing three weeks ago or eight years from now, I know I want to be in hockey in some capacity, DeAngelo told The Athletic this week.

I like coaching, being involved in the game.

Thats still the plan.

But hopefully its on the back burner for a while now.

The 29-year-old DeAngelo defines the phrase lightning rod.

To a certain segment of the hockey-viewing world, hes a lout.

Everything thats wrong with hockey culture.

His social and political views, frequently aired online over the years, combined with suspensions dating to his junior days including an eight-game suspension as a 17-year-old for a slur directed at a teammate that violated the OHLs harassment, abuse and diversity policy make him one of the most disliked players among some hockey fans.

In the hockey world, where those social and political views are usually met with a collective shrug not everybodys going to like everybody is how Brock Nelson put it about players having aligning world views there still has been plenty of friction.

Hes bounced through five NHL organizations, getting dramatically and publicly banished from the Rangers early in the 2020-21 season for getting in a fight with goalie Alexandar Georgiev.

He had told Georgiev to make a fing save following an overtime loss to the Penguins at a mostly empty Madison Square Garden during the pandemic-impacted season.

So, a former first-round pick with three 40-plus point seasons in the not-too-distant past was deemed not worth the risk to all 32 teams last offseason.

DeAngelo has plenty of friends in the game still, but he understood why he didnt find a job.

So he went to Russia, to SKA in St.

Petersberg, where he put up 32 points in 34 games before deciding in mid-January to terminate his contract and come back home to South Jersey.

Advertisement It seemed like the end.

He told his agent, Pat Brisson, not to bother calling around, begging for an AHL deal or something similar.

But theres a lot of injuries, especially to defensemen, around the league, DeAngelo said.

And this, pretty close to home, it seemed like a pretty good fit.

New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello is as old school as they come.

Hell certainly ask around on controversial players hes thinking about bringing in and do all the diligence required, but the most important aspect of any potential relationship is meeting face-to-face.

He did it with Robin Lehner, whose mental health and substance-abuse issues were derailing his career in the 2018 offseason before he came here to meet with Lamoriello.

That meeting turned into a one-year contract, which turned into a dream season for Lehner, ending with the Masterton Trophy.

Lehners time since then has been rocky, with injuries and further mental-health complications.

But even in Lehners social-media postings now, he credits Lamoriello and Islanders fans for helping him in a time of need.

DeAngelo welcomed the chance to sit down with Lamoriello a bit more than two weeks ago, with the Islanders defense corps shredded by injury.

The career Lous had, you obviously have respect for him just knowing what hes done in this league, DeAngelo said.

I have more respect for him now having talked to him.

Ive always wanted to be able to talk to people face-to-face.

At least hear me out.

If somebody wanted me, didnt want me, I always just want to be able to sit down and talk.

Im not a BS kind of guy, if someone wants to ask me about something that happened, a circumstance, something they heard, I just want to be able to look someone in the eye and give an honest answer.

And Im not afraid to hear what they have to say back.

If it doesnt work out, it doesnt work out.

Advertisement I told Lou I really appreciated that he gave me a chance to sit down with him.

It meant a lot.

And here we are.

To go from meeting to signing to 25:07 in his Islanders debut, which came 12 days ago, is more than a surprise.

To go from unwanted in the league to the KHL to contemplating retirement to the top pair on the Islanders during a 5-1-0 run is downright wild.

Lamoriello knows what hes doing after 40 years running NHL teams, but theres an element of luck thats awfully strong in winning games with three guys basically brought in off the street in DeAngelo, Scott Perunovich and Adam Boqvist, with little-used Dennis Cholowski thrown in there now, too.

DeAngelo, on the top pair with Alex Romanov, hasnt been under 22:11 in any of his six games.

Hes always been able to log big minutes, but straight from his couch to this? Come on now.

You cant even make up how good the timing is, he said.

I played a ton of minutes over there (in Russia).

The NHL is different and theres a new system and all that stuff, but I still had my legs and you get all those touches real quick.

Its been a blessing for me.

Integrating into the room has been seamless.

DeAngelos never been too far from the Islanders, having been a Ranger for 167 NHL games, plus two stints with the Carolina Hurricanes, including playoff games last spring against the Isles.

He knew what kind of team they are and how that could help him.

Ive played on so many different teams, I feel like I know at least a few guys in every room, DeAngelo said.

This room has a lot of guys that have been together for a long time.

A lot of them have only been Islanders for their whole careers.

That means something to this group.

It keeps the group tighter.

Theres not a constant stream of guys coming in and out.

And they believe in themselves, too.

From the outside looking in, Ive always been a believer in this team, as well.

Ive been curious about why there wasnt more success, but you look at the injuries and the way these guys keep battling, its a testament to the character in here.

Advertisement Nelson said he got texts from players he knows around the league vouching for DeAngelo.

That may sound corny or made up, but time has shown that DeAngelos Rangers conflicts were mostly about his inability to stay quiet.

I dont know too much about the stories before, but I woke up the day we signed him to four or five texts saying this is a great guy, Nelson said.

And since hes been here, what I see is a competitor.

Everybody here is just worried about playing.

And hes a great player.

DeAngelo certainly is well aware of his reputation, too.

Its interesting: I know people call around, GMs call around to players (whove played with me) and the players give great reviews, he said.

And this is coming from GMs, when they speak to my agents.

And then sometimes those GMs call coaches and the reviews are mixed.

And thats perfectly fine.

I dont need anybody to BS a GM for me to get a job.

You set yourself up for failure that way.

Id rather a GM do their research, then talk to me.

And if you dont want me after that, lifes going to go on.

Thats why I appreciated Lou sitting down with me, face-to-face, to just talk.

I think its a big reason why Im here.

This is also the Islanders, where no one goes viral, no ones stepping out of line to draw attention to themselves and no one violates the Lamoriello Rules.

That means basically no social-media posting during the season and no interviews with anyone looking to cause a stir.

In short, the perfect place for DeAngelo to keep quiet and play hockey something hes been able to do well for stretches during his career.

Its kind of funny: People are always asking for more personalities (in hockey), and then you get a personality (like DeAngelo) and people are like, No, we dont like that,' Nelson said.

Its a pretty tight ship here.

No distractions and all that.

Maybe if thats an area where hes been outspoken before its not going to be like that now.

Advertisement Even winning as much as the Islanders have the past month, they are still a long shot to get in the postseason.

When the 4 Nations break ends in a little over two weeks, Noah Dobson and Ryan Pulock might be back healthy, so DeAngelo may not be needed for 25 minutes a night or in situations like overtime on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning when he scored the winner to put an exclamation point on his first two weeks as an Islander.

ONE MORE LOOK AT THE GAME WINNER.

pic.twitter.com/4jT9l5Slhm New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) February 2, 2025 Things will change.

DeAngelo has to roll with it.

But given where he was and what he was thinking about a month ago, chances are hell be able to do that now.

Maybe you wish he hadnt gotten this opportunity that he didnt deserve one more kick at the can.

Maybe you think that the NHL and hockey is a better place without Tony DeAngelo.

Its a conflict lots of sports fans wrestle with ignore the person, root for the player? Thats for you to decide.

DeAngelo is here now, with fate and the hockey gods aligned, helping the Islanders.

I dont even want to call it a last chance because when I got back (from Russia) I wasnt expecting much, he said.

When youre not playing, its not the same.

To have this opportunity, to jump back in with a team on a winning streak, Im just grateful.

Right now, I cant even think about the future.

Whatever happens, happens.

This is a good group and I just want to help them win.

(Photo: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images).

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