Such an ice boy!
Nolan may coach vs. son tomorrow
Two long and complicated paths may finally cross tomorrow night in Carolina. Islanders coach Ted Nolan (below, left) takes his team to Raleigh to face off against the Hurricanes, who recently incorporated a familiar name into their lineup – Nolan’s son, Brandon.
The 24-year-old Brandon bounced around the AHL, the OHL and Europe the past 4 1/2 years before signing as a free agent with the Hurricanes in July.
“Honestly, I’m not trying to look that far ahead,” Brandon, a 6-1, 192-pound center, told The Post’s Brett Cyrgalis about tomorrow night’s possible matchup. “If that day does comes, it would be awesome to play against him.”
Father Ted knows all about the fleeting nature of the NHL. After leading the Sabres to the Northeast division crown in the 1996-97 season, Ted had a falling out with then-GM John Muckler and found himself out of hockey for eight years. After a stint in a Quebec junior league, Ted found a home on Long Island last year and took the Islanders to the postseason for the first time since the 2001-02 season.
“He was all excited about [his debut] and we were all excited for him,” Ted said of his son, who notched an assist in his debut Dec. 22 vs. the Lightning and played 14 shifts Wednesday at the Garden against the Rangers. “To get that first game is obviously a big thrill, but you get that first one and you want more. Any time you coach against your kid, especially at this level, it would be something, but right now, we’re just [both] enjoying the moment.”
Apple sports stars Muscle up for MDA
The Muscular Dystrophy Association’s 2008 Muscle Team will put its muscle behind the fight to tackle neuromuscular disease at the MDA’s 11th Annual Muscle Team Gala & Benefit Auction on Jan. 8 at Pier 60 at Chelsea Piers. The team consists of leading NY-metro athletes, including Jets Victor Hobson, Darrelle Revis, Shaun Ellis, Ben Graham, Erik Coleman, Eric Smith; and Giants Jeff Feagles, Ahmad Bradshaw, Aaron Ross, Brandon Jacobs, Justin Tuck, Sam Madison, Chris Snee and Gibril Wilson. They will be joined by Muscle Team Alumni consisting of top retired New York athletes: Mets Bud Harrelson, Ed Kranepool and Art Shamsky; Knick John Starks; Giant Carl Banks; Jets Mark Gastineau, Greg Buttle and Ray Lucas and Islander Bobby Nystrom. Super Bowl XXV MVP Ottis Anderson will lend his support for Jerry’s Kids and will serve as the auctioneer. WWOR-My 9 News sportscaster Russ Salzberg will emcee. The MDA’s 2008 Muscle Team and Alumni are expected to raise more than $1 million in the support of Jerry’s Kids.
Gomez gets The Word
Rangers avid rock fan Scott Gomez spent three hours Thursday night with legendary rock DJ Ken Dashow at Terminal 5, watching guitar maven Robert Randolph and his band The Word .
Bernie Williams and Paul O’Neill will host the sixth-annual Hillside Food Outreach: Neighbors Helping Neighbors benefit dinner and auction on Jan. 26 at Greentree Country Club in New Rochelle. The fundraiser annually helps to provide food for those in need in Westchester County and is jointly presented by Last Licks and Steiner Sports. For tickets call (914) 747 0095, or log onto http://www.hillsidefoodoutreach.org.
Tiki taking handoff of DiMaggio Award
What does Tiki Barber have in common with Dr. Henry Kissinger, the late Luciano Pavarotti, Rudy Giuliani, Regis Philbin, Paul Simon and James Gandolfini? Barber becomes a recipient of the Joe DiMaggio Award to benefit Brooklyn’s Xaverian High School on Jan. 4 at Cipriani 42nd Street … Michael Strahan, Jesse Bradford and Noel Ashman will be hosting a New Year’s Eve party at The Plumm with a surprise DJ.
Three early-round draft projections – Delaware QB Joe Flacco, Louisville WR Mario Urrutia, and Nebraska WR Maurice Purify – will be getting ready for the NFL Combine at TEST Sports Clubs Football Academy in Martinsville, N.J.
Storm’s Thomas not alone
Rob Thomas, the freshman St. John’s forward who’s trying to overcome severe dyslexia via hours of individual tutoring and working with specialists, has a big fan in Barbara Corcoran, the real estate guru, who has dyslexia. She wants him to know that she believes that having dyslexia was a contributor to her success. Still a slow reader, she says she can read a person quickly and size up a situation or invent a new idea rapidly, thanks to the encouragement of her mother.
Boeheim tries to make sense out of Marbury
Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim sits down for an exclusive interview on SNY’s “Spotlight” show with Gary Apple Wednesday night. Boeheim dishes on the relief in finally winning a championship, his battle with prostate cancer … and Stephon Marbury:
“We recruited four of the Marburys and we didn’t get any of them – so I guess we weren’t destined to get a Marbury here … I do think Stephon is a great talent. I love Stephon. I loved him as a kid. He came to our camp when he was in the sixth or seventh grade, and was the best player in camp, and he’s always been a talent. He’s been one of the most talented guards, I think, to ever play, but he hasn’t been able to turn that into winning. And sometimes, it’s the people around you and sometimes it’s the way you play.”
Torre meets “Psycho”
Dodgers manager Joe Torre will have to deal with a “Pyscho” in his new job in Hollywood, but not the kind who might attack him in the shower. Our LA readers will be interested to know that Steve “Psycho” Lyons has signed a two-year broadcasting contract extension with the Dodgers through 2009. He will provide pre- and post-game in-studio analysis for FSN West and Prime Ticket, replacing Kevin Kennedy. “Steve is psyched about the whole gig,” his agent, Burton Rocks, told The Rumble.
Wright way to honor Thurm
David Wright will be one of the honorees at the annual Thurman Munson Dinner on Feb. 6, for his charitable work. “When I was asked if I would come, it didn’t take me a second to say yes,” Wright said. “I just love how Thurman approached the game. From his facial expression, you could see how much he hated to lose. In reading up on Thurman, I knew he tried to give back to kids whenever he could. That’s what I have tried to do.” Wright will be the featured speaker at the St. John’s University baseball dinner on Jan. 24 at the New York Athletic Club and will receive the Bart Giamatti Award at the Baseball Assistance Team dinner on Jan. 29.
Rooney’s Lisheen Broodmare of Year
Empire City at Yonkers Raceway owner Timothy Rooney celebrated the New Year early with the news that his harness broodmare Lisheen, who numbered top free-for-aller Lis Mara among her breeding accomplishments this past year, has been elected as Pacing Broodmare of the Year for 2007 in voting by the US Harness Writers. Lisheen was sired by the great Abercrombie.