A Slap In The Face: Only One Day of Camp Open

For the past several summers, diehard Islanders fans congregated daily at Islanders Ice Works in Syosset for a week to get a look at the organization's young talent. The openness of Prospects Camp, an event which many Isles fans plan their summers around, has been an example of just how amenable the Islanders have been to its fanbase. Now, however, following the addition of #1 overall pick John Tavares, the Prospects Camp has taken a turn for the worse.

The 2009 installment of Islanders Prospects Camp will be held from Thursday, July 9 to Wednesday, July 15. For the first time in a number of years, however, a majority of this event is closed to the public. In fact, only the events of July 12 will be open to the public. At one of the most exciting times to be an Islanders fan in a number of years, restrictions are suddenly being placed on the fans' access to the team.

The idea of a closed Prospects Camp came as a complete shock. While last year blogs like HNLI were able to provide in-depth daily coverage of the camp's events, the closed camp this year makes for an uninformed fanbase. Not to mention, by closing all but one session of Prospects Camp, the one open session is sure to be an absolute zoo. It is impossible to fathom just how many Isles fans will show up ON A SUNDAY to watch John Tavares lace up for the first time on Long Island. By opening up more of the weekday sessions, the Isles could make for both a more comfortable viewing experience while allowing the team's truest fans complete access to the camp. Instead, a team that prides itself in being a fan-friendly one is leaving its fans in the dark.