Twenty-five years ago, the New York Islanders' "always believe" sign, created by longtime superfan Patrick Dowd, became a symbol of hope and resilience in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Dowd, known as the "sign guy" among the team's faithful, created the message to embody the importance of faith through life's crises, a sentiment that resonated deeply with fans and the team during the unforgettable 2001-2002 season.
That season brought a long-awaited playoff return and much-needed jubilation to Long Island, a region deeply affected by the attacks. Islanders defenseman Eric Cairns, a Canadian, recalled the heartbreak of hearing about losses suffered by his neighbors on Long Island. The devastation hit home when he and then-head coach Peter Laviolette visited Ground Zero and saw the "emotional" and seemingly endless photo wall of missing people.
"I think we chose to let it galvanize us as a team – and really vibed off that," Cairns said.
The team's journey toward renewed hope began with an unusual moment of unity during an exhibition game against their rivals, the Rangers. "We all lined up on the blue lines as one – Ranger, Islander, Ranger, Islander," Cairns recalled, noting that such displays of solidarity were rare.
Bill Kain, the team's vice president of sponsorship that season, described the prevailing mood as one where "Everybody had been to a lot of funerals, a lot of services." He added, "It just made it really hard to enjoy life again." The return of hockey to the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in mid-October brought a patriotic spectacle, with an eagle flying onto the ice and players wearing NYPD and FDNY gear. Center Shawn Bates recalled the experience, saying, "It gave me goose bumps…you could just feel the patriotism."
Dowd, now 65, remembered a friend who used the Islanders as a distraction while fleeing the Financial District on 9/11. "Even though 9/11 kind of brought you down a notch,” Dowd said, “in another way, it bonded us closer."
The Islanders, bolstered by the acquisition of 32-goal scorer Alexei Yashin and goalie Chris Osgood, became a formidable team. This resurgence contrasted sharply with the franchise's struggles in the preceding decade, including a sweep by the Rangers in the 1994 playoffs and the humiliation of owner John Spano's fraudulent activities. "When they were relevant again and the [post-Spano] ownership, the new players, and renewed excitement,” Kain said, “I think that was what brought everybody back to a feeling of, ‘wow, we can have a little fun with this team.’"
The Islanders drew the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the playoffs, reigniting the energy of the Coliseum, once known as "Fort Neverlose" during the team's early 1980s dynasty. As the only tri-state team in the postseason, the Islanders engaged in a memorable seven-game series with the Maple Leafs. "We laid it on the line every shift, every game, every minute," Bates said. "People that lost loved ones who were still coming to the games, we wanted to show some appreciation for their loyalty."
Cairns made an iconic play in a must-win Game 6, punching out the lights of the Maple Leafs' Shayne Corson. He skated off the ice with a finger held high to a roaring ovation. "Our fans were unreal. They were the best," he said. "If you can’t get up for something like that, what can you get up for as an athlete?"
Another pivotal moment came in Game 4, with the Islanders trailing the series. Shawn Bates drew a penalty shot with two and a half minutes remaining. He successfully converted the game-winner against goalie Curtis Joseph, an event described by fan Jonathan Ansbacher as the "loudest I’ve ever heard the Coliseum." Bates himself recalled feeling as though he "almost blacked out" from the fans' fervor.
Kain noted, "The old Coliseum goal horn – that thing seemed like it just kept going and going." Bates agreed, remembering the overwhelming sound: "It was just so loud – so loud."
The Shawn Bates penalty shot is remembered as a moment of catharsis, akin to Mike Piazza's post-9/11 homer for the Mets or the Yankees' World Series run. "It was the highlight of my NHL career," Bates stated.
Despite falling to the Maple Leafs, the 2001-2002 season holds a special place in the hearts of Islanders fans. Dowd and others believe the team succeeded in bringing joy and excitement to a community in need. "Everybody just came together as one," Dowd reflected.