Chris Campoli

2007-08 Update: February 1, 2008: Chris Campoli was held scoreless in 8 games played with the New York Islanders during the month of January. He played his last game of the season on Jan. 16th at New Jersey. Campoli would go on to miss the final 36 games of the regular season due to needing surgery for a chronic dislocated shoulder.

January 1, 2008: Chris Campoli went 2-5-7 in 15 games played with the New York Islanders during the month of December. He was a +4 on the month. Campoli went 1-2-3 on the power play during the month. He recorded a power play goal Dec. 3rd in a 3-1 loss vs. Boston. Campoli assisted on a power play game winning tally in a 3-2 OT win at Tampa Bay Dec. 8th. He scored a shorthanded goal, the first of his NHL career, and added an assist on the power play in a 5-2 win vs. New Jersey Dec. 29th. The Islanders posted a record of 7-7-1 during the month of December and are 20-16-2 overall.

December 1, 2007: Chris Campoli recorded 2 assists in 14 games played with the New York Islanders during the month of November. He was a +3 in a 4-0 win vs. Tampa Bay on Nov. 1st. Campoli recorded both his assists, including one on the game winner during a power play, in a 2-1 win vs. New Jersey on Nov. 10th. The Islanders posted a record of 8-5-1 during the month of November and are 13-9-1 overall.

November 1, 2007: Chris Campoli went 2-7-9 in 9 games played with the New York Islanders during the month of October. He recorded his first goal of the season Oct. 5th in a season opening 6-4 win at the Buffalo Sabres. He scored his second goal of of the season in the Islanders home opener on Oct. 6th, giving him 2 goals on the season which already surpassed his 2006-07 output when he scored once in 51 games for the Islanders. Campoli recorded a career high 4 assist game in a 5-2 win at the Washington Capitals on Oct. 18th. Three of the assists came on the power play and he also assisted on the game winner. Campoli recorded another power play game winning assist in a 4-3 overtime win vs. New Jersey on Oct. 20th. With 2 more power play assists on Oct. 27th vs. Carolina, Campoli had a three game assist streak from Oct. 18th to 27th in which he recorded 7 assists. His point per game October helped the Islanders to a 5-4-0 opening month record. He was also a -6 on the month. Campoli went 1-1-2 in 5 preseason games during the month of September. He recorded an assist at Montreal on Sept. 21st. In July, Campoli was re-signed by the Islanders to a new three year deal worth $1.9 million.

2007-08 NHL Highlights:

* Named third star with a goal (PP) in 3-2 win vs. Buffalo Sabres October 6, 2007.

2006-07 Update: May 1, 2007: Chris Campoli recorded 2 assists in 4 games played with the New York Islanders during the month of April. Both his assists came in the Islanders 3-2 shootout win vs. the NY Rangers on Apr. 3rd. Playoffs: Campoli went 1-1-2 in 5 games played for the Islanders vs. the Buffalo Sabres in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series. Both is points came in game 5 of the series, a 4-3 loss at the HSBC Arena. Campoli recorded the primary assist on Miroslav Satan's goal that made it 3-1 in the third period. He then scored to cut the Islanders deficit to 4-3. Campoli teamed up defensively during the playoffs with his former Bridgeport partner Bruno Gervais.

April 1, 2007: Chris Campoli recorded 2 assists in 15 games played with the New York Islanders during the month of March. He recorded an assist in the Islanders 3-1 win vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins on Mar. 22nd. Campoli's other assist came in the Islanders 6-4 loss at the Buffalo Sabres on Mar. 30th. He was a horrible -11 during the month of March and dropped from a +6 to a -5 on the season. Campoli has struggled offensively and defensively in his sophomore NHL season.

March 1, 2007: Chris Campoli recorded 3 assists in 12 games played with the New York Islanders during the month of February. He recorded a multiple assist game in a 4-3 shootout loss at the Boston Bruins on Feb. 10th. Campoli also recorded an assist in the Islanders 6-5 overtime win vs. the Philadelphia Flyers on Feb. 27th. Since Bruno Gervais re-injured his ankle in February Campoli has been partnered up predominantly with Freddy Meyer.

February 1, 2007: Chris Campoli went 1-5-6 in 12 games played with the New York Islanders during the month of January. He recorded his first goal of the NHL season in a 5-4 overtime loss in Atlanta on Jan. 26th. Campoli recorded assists in the following games: 1/1 at Buffalo in a 3-1 loss, 1/9 in a 5-3 win at the NY Rangers, 1/11 in a 5-4 shootout win at Boston, 1/15 in a 4-3 loss vs. Tampa Bay, and 1/18 in a 4-2 win at Philadelphia. He was a healthy scratch on Jan. 16th at Pittsburgh when Radek Martinek returned to the lineup after missing 3 weeks with a broken foot. He returned to the Islanders lineup on Jan. 18th in Philadelphia, replacing Bruno Gervais who sprained his ankle in the game against Pittsburgh. Campoli was a +6 for the Islanders in January. He was sent down to Bridgeport during the NHL All-Star break by the Islanders just to take part in practices. 

January 1, 2007: Chris Campoli went 2-1-3 in 4 games played with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers during the month of December. He recorded a goal in a 3-2 win at the Lowell Devils on Dec. 2nd. In a 5-2 loss at the Binghamton Senators on Dec. 9th, Campoli scored a shorthanded goal and added an assist. He was called up to the Islanders on Dec. 15th following the Islanders trade of D Alexei Zhitnik to the Philadelphia Flyers for injured D Freddy Meyer. Campoli played in 7 games for the Islanders during the month of December and recorded an assist on Alexei Yashin's game winner in the Islanders 4-3 win at the New York Rangers on Dec. 19th.

December 1, 2006: Chris Campoli went 1-2-3 in 10 games played with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers during the month of November. He didn't score his first goal of the season until November 29th in a 6-3 win vs. the Norfolk Admirals. He's also struggled defensively, as he was a -7. Campoli was called up to the Islanders prior to November 14th following a conditioning assignment. Plus, the Islanders were on a four game road trip and he was called up for insurance. Once the Islanders returned, Campoli was re-assigned to Bridgeport on November 21st. He did not see action with the Islanders. Chris missed the following games with the Sound Tigers: 11/15 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, 11/17 at Worcester and 11/18 at Hershey. Campoli wears #11 for the Sound Tigers.

November 1, 2006: Chris Campoli injured his groin late in Islanders training camp and was slated to miss the first 2-3 weeks of the NHL season. He was sent down to Bridgeport on a conditioning stint October 25th and played for the Sound Tigers on October 27th, a 5-4 shootout loss in Providence. It was his first game with the Sound Tigers since the 2004-05 season.

When Rick DiPietro was asked to describe what separates this team from the last time the Islanders were in the playoffs, the word he used was "experience."

He must not have been thinking about Bruno Gervais and Chris Campoli at that moment.

On a team rife with veterans the two young defensemen - whose combined age of 44 (that's 22 each) is only a dog's year older than fellow defenseman and mentor Sean Hill (37) - are feeling their way through their first quest for the Stanley Cup.

Not that they've been muddling. Gervais scored a goal in Saturday's win over the Sabres, his first this season, and Campoli showed a feistiness in the first two games of this first-round series.

Nor have they seemed ill-prepared for the stage upon which they now perform ... and have long yearned for. Each logged more than 13 minutes per game in the first two contests.

"You grew up playing playoff hockey in the streets, and everywhere you play hockey it's all about the NHL playoffs," Gervais said yesterday before a 3-2 loss to Buffalo in Game 3 of the series at Nassau Coliseum. "It's a big dream that we've realized and so far it's been great."

The Islanders are using those young, speedy legs to slow down the Buffalo attack.

"One thing about Buffalo, we all know they can skate," Isles coach Ted Nolan said. "Gervais and Campolis both relish that opportunity to skate with them."

The chance to be a part of this series is especially sweet for Gervais, who missed the final 24 regular-season games and 31 of the last 36 with an ankle sprain. He had to watch as the team stumbled to the finish line.

Toward the end of the season, it seemed that neither Gervais nor the Islanders would be in any sort of playoff form, but both have shown up to play.

"Coming back in a playoff series like this against the best team in the NHL is something special, that's for sure," Gervais said.

Gervais and Campoli aren't the only Islanders in their inaugural playoff series. Goaltender Wade Dubielewicz also is a long-time listener, first-time caller, though the Islanders hope he won't have to take the ice again this spring (meaning DiPietro remains healthy).

Campoli said going through the playoffs with Gervais is easier than doing it alone.

"I don't know if we lean on each other, but it is new to both of us, so we can relate," he said.

He also noted that Hill, who sits between Gervais and Campoli in the changing room, has been an especially supportive resource the last few days.

"He just told me don't worry about it, it's the same game, it's just a little louder, a little quicker and a little more physical," Campoli said of Hill's advice. "He's been through it, he's won a Stanley Cup, and anything a guy like him has to offer to me, I'm going to listen. Hopefully, I can bring it to the game and it can help me."

Another audition for Campoli
Defenseman needs to play well in order to remain in lineup
by Greg Logan, Newsday, Dec. 19, 2006

Chris Campoli didn't ask questions when he was summoned to return from Bridgeport to the Islanders on Saturday morning. He just got in his car and started driving. He was still on the road when word reached him that veteran defenseman Alexei Zhitnik had been traded to Philadelphia for injured defenseman Freddy Meyer, creating a vacancy.

"When I heard about the trade, it was definitely a bittersweet thing because I was good friends with 'Z,'" Campoli said yesterday after practice. "Actually, when I was walking into the rink, he was walking out. I shook his hand, and we wished each other luck.

"But I was very excited to be called back. It's what I've been waiting for, and I hope I can help the team."

Having joined the Islanders earlier to serve as a spare part in the press box during a four-game road trip, Campoli understands he still can't unpack his bags and settle in. Meyer is nursing a back injury and didn't practice with the team yesterday because he had to take a physical, but he should be available within a week or so.

Coach Ted Nolan reaffirmed his commitment yesterday to the top five defensemen: Brendan Witt, Sean Hill, Tom Poti, Radek Martinek and Bruno Gervais. So Campoli and Meyer are competing for one job.

"Chris just joined us," Nolan said. "You keep people on their toes. One thing we're trying to do here is to not take anything for granted. We want to make sure people earn it. If Chris earns his ice time, he'll be here."

Nolan met Meyer for the first time Sunday. "All indications about him, what kind of pro he is and how he works on his game and his foot speed and his enthusiasm are good," Nolan said. "We're looking forward to getting him in the lineup."

Despite an outstanding rookie season in which he had nine goals and 25 assists, Campoli finds himself in the position of having to audition unexpectedly for a job he thought had his name on it. But a groin injury in training camp forced him to start the season in Bridgeport, where he struggled with a minus-11 rating before picking up his play.

"My plus-minus wasn't great, but I was playing good hockey," Campoli said. "I think most people know that's a deceiving stat. All I can control is how hard I work on and off the ice. It was a good thing for me, and it made me realize a lot of things."

Step one of Campoli's audition was successful as the Islanders beat Atlanta, 6-0, Saturday and kept the likes of Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa under control. But the defense will get another test against the Rangers' Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan tonight at Madison Square Garden, and Campoli is looking forward to being part of that rivalry again.

"They're a great team," Campoli said. "They've struggled a little bit as of late, and they're going to think, 'What better way to get out than beating us in New York?' We're going to go in and do the things we have to do to be successful and hopefully come out with the two points."

SHELTON — There's no conditioning spin this time around: Chris Campoli is on assignment. Once again a Bridgeport Sound Tigers defenseman, Campoli is likely to play tonight, when the Sound Tigers begin three games in three nights with a visit from the Binghamton Senators. "There's a lot of young forwards here. The guys have the potential to be a really good club," Campoli said. "I'm looking forward to being a leader and helping in that direction."

Campoli spent a bit more than two weeks here, playing seven games, before going up to join the New York Islanders for their four-game road trip. But the Islanders' defense hasn't changed once in their first 20 games. The Islanders played Monday in Toronto; Campoli was back here for practice the following morning.

"They just like the way the lineup is there," Campoli said. "I'm going to work hard and try to get back there. I'm ready when they need me."

His seven Bridgeport games had some peaks and valleys. Though Campoli at times found scoring chances — he had no goals and two assists while working the power-play point — he was also minus-7. "I think he was trying too hard, trying to do too much," coach Dan Marshall said. "He's already a good hockey player. (It will work) if he plays within the system and lets things happen a little more naturally, lets the play come to him."

Sound Tigers Media (October 26, 2006)
Phil Giubileo’s interview with Islanders defenseman Chris Campoli

Sound Tigers Notebook
Oct. 26, 2006

CAMPOLI RETURNS — Chris Campoli looked fine Wednesday in his first practice with the Sound Tigers, joining the team on a conditioning assignment. "I feel good," Campoli said. "I'll come down here, play a little bit, get my legs back and hopefully help the team win."

Campoli suffered a pulled groin Oct. 2. The original assessment, he said, was two to four weeks. He played 80 games for the New York Islanders last season, his rookie year, after earning all-rookie honors in 2004-05 for Bridgeport. "He's here to get back in shape. It's a short time, but short is better than nothing," Bridgeport coach Dan Marshall said. "It's good for the guys to see the jump he's got, the leadership on the ice."

2005-06 Update:

May 1, 2006 Update: Campoli went 1-5-6 in 9 games played with the Islanders during the month of April. His goal came on April 11th at Madison Square Garden in a 3-2 win against the Rangers. Campoli was a -5 in the month of April and finished a team worst -16. He finished 6th overall among rookie defensemen in the NHL with 34 points and seventh overall in scoring on the New York Islanders. He led all Islanders defensemen in scoring. Campoli's future looks bright with the Islanders and he should develop into a big time point producer from the blue line in the future.

April 1, 2006 Update: Campoli went 1-4-5 in 16 games played with the Islanders during the month of March. His goal came on March 4th at the Nassau Coliseum on the night of the 25th Anniversary Celebration for the Islanders 1980 Championship team. Campoli's goal was the game winner against the Philadelphia Flyers. He has dropped to eighth among rookie defensemen in scoring as of April 2nd. He was a -4 on the month.

March 1, 2006 Update: Campoli is currently 5th among rookie defensemen in scoring. During the month of February he scored a goal and 3 points in 6 games played. His goal came on February 4, 2006 in a 5-4 shootout win at the Pittsburgh Penguins.

February 1, 2006 Update: Campoli has dropped down to 4th in the rookie defenseman scoring race entering the month of February. He's been surpassed by Pheonix's Keith Ballard and Ottawa's Adrej Meszaros. Dion Phaneuf still leads all rookie defensemen with 31 points. In the month of January Chris recorded only 2 assists in 12 games played. The Islanders new interim coach Brad Shaw decided to sit Campoli for two games in January: a 2-1 OT win in Chicago on January 17th and a 4-3 loss in Carolina on January 19th. Campoli was upset to be scratched those two games but said he learned a lot from observing from the stands.

January 1, 2006 Update: Campoli is now second in scoring in the NHL among rookie defensemen with 6 goals and 18 points. He's 5 points behind Calgary's Dion Phaneuf. Chris recorded 8 points in 12 games during the month of December.

Chris Campoli has been a welcome addition to the Islanders blue line this season. He has been the best among the Islanders incoming rookies contributing 3 goals and 10 points through 25 games played. He's currently tied for 3rd among rookies in the NHL for scoring by defensemen with Florida's Lukas Krajicek. Campoli is just three points behind Chicago's Brent Seabrook and four points behind Calgary's Dion Phaneuf. Campoli scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game on his first shot on goal October 5, 2005 at the Buffalo Sabres in a 6-4 loss.

Campoli's a bright spot
by Alan Hahn, Newsday.com - Apr. 13, 2006

With almost an entire season under his belt, Chris Campoli finds himself among some of the best young Islanders defensemen in team history. Campoli's ninth goal in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Rangers gave him 30 points on the season, which is the seventh-best total ever by an Islanders rookie defenseman and the most since Bryan Berard had 48 points in his Calder Trophy-winning season of 1996-97. Campoli's nine goals are the most since Vladimir Malakhov had 14 in 1992-93, when he was named to the NHL all-rookie team.

As part of a deep NHL rookie class, Campoli, with a minus-16 rating, won't be among the Calder finalists this season, nor will he crack the all-rookie team. Not with fellow defensemen such as Calgary's Dion Phaneuf (47 points) and Ottawa's Andrej Meszaros (plus-37), among others, ahead of him. But the quick development of the Islanders' 2004 seventh-round pick has been one of the positives to take out of a losing season.

"He's made huge strides," said interim coach Brad Shaw. "He's a much more mature player now than when he was in October and November.

He's had the natural ups and downs that young guys have in the first year, but he should go into the summer with a great feeling about the year and what he's accomplished. He should feel like he belongs in this league."

The Toronto Star
Mark Zwolenski, 10/15/05

HONOUR THY FATHER: Chris Campoli, like many NHL players, wears a sweater number that honours his father.

When the North York native earned a spot on the Islanders' blue line two weeks ago, he asked for the same No.14 that his father, Gino, wore during his baseball career.

The elder Campoli, a big, no-nonsense catcher, starred for years with the York senior team that won an Ontario championship in 1982. Chris Campoli's uncle, Gord, was a right-handed pitcher with that team.

According to New York media, the younger Campoli is an engaging and well-mannered player who often phones home for talks with his dad.

He also phones home to talk with the Leafs' Carlo Colaiacovo, his defence partner with Erie in the OHL.

2004-05 Update:

Chris Campoli continued his stellar junior career right into his rookie season with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The knock on him has always been his size, but year after year he proves his critics wrong. Campoli was so good from training camp right through to the end of the season and it showed in his stats. His 49 points was good enough for second on the team in scoring, and his 15 goals broke a Sound Tigers record for defensemen which was previously held by Ray Giroux who scored 13 in 2001-02. Chris finished 4 points shy of Giroux's point total of 53 also set in 2001-02. Campoli was also Bridgeport's go to man all season on special teams. His 7 powerplay goals was tied for first on the team with Justin Papineau and he added 2 shorthanded goals along with 3 game winning goals. Chris was rewarded by the AHL towards the end of the season when he was named to the  All-Rookie Team and with the uncertainty of who will be returning for the Islanders in the future once the NHL returns, Campoli could be one of the first guys to seriously get a look to be promoted to Long Island.

Excerpt taken from NHL.com article by John McGourty, March 16, 2005

"We also like Chris Campoli, whom he we took with the 227th pick last summer. He's a defenseman with a tremendous work ethic and character. He's a tremendous skater who wants the puck. He wants to make the difference in the game. He had a tremendous first half at Bridgeport. He put up a point-a-game at Erie but was always slighted because of his average height. But he's a well put-together kid and has some other attributes to overcome his lack of height.

BRIDGEPORT — In their first three seasons, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers had never had an offensive weapon on defense like Chris Campoli. And the numbers keep accumulating to prove it.

With a blast in the second period of Saturday night's 3-2 loss to Lowell, the rookie became the franchise's leading goal-scoring defenseman, scoring his 15th in his 75th pro game.

With four games remaining, Campoli holds the team records for goals by a defenseman in both a season and in a career.

At the start of training camp, Campoli wasn't even a lock to make the top six.

"Obviously he showed some promise," Bridgeport coach Greg Cronin said. "Did anybody think he'd be as explosive as he is? No."

Campoli's goal gave the Sound Tigers a 2-1 lead after a controversial no-goal call went against Bridgeport. Third-period goals by Colin Forbes and Mark Giordano (power play) lifted the Lock Monsters to victory.

CHRIS CAMPOLI NAMED TO AHL ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Sound Tigers freshman among scoring leaders
for rookies & defensemen
April 6, 2005

BRIDGEPORT, CT – The American Hockey League’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers, top affiliate of the National Hockey League’s New York Islanders, have announced defenseman Chris Campoli has been named to the 2004-05 AHL All-Rookie Team. Campoli joins Lowell Lock Monsters goaltender Cam Ward, Manitoba Moose defenseman Kevin Bieksa and forwards Brandon Bochenski of the Binghamton Senators, Rene Bourque of the Norfolk Admirals and Thomas Vanek of the Rochester Americans on the All-Rookie Team.

“Chris has emerged as a real dynamic player with a bright future as an NHL defenseman ahead of him,” said Sound Tigers head coach Greg Cronin. “Skating, hockey sense and courage are among his many qualities, but overall maturity is his biggest attribute.”

Campoli, 20, is currently on a three-game goal and point streak with four goals and five points in that time, including a power-play goal in each game. He also leads all Sound Tigers defensemen and is ranked second on the team with 32 assists and 45 points and has 13 goals and a team-best +15 in a team-leading 72 games this season. Among the league’s rookie leaders, Campoli is tied for fourth in assists and plus-minus and is sixth in points. He also ranks third in goals and is tied for fifth in points among all AHL defensemen.

Campoli was the eighth pick, 227th overall, of the Islanders in the 2004 NHL draft. The 6’0’’ 198-pounder from North York, Ontario signed with the Islanders last summer and was assigned to the Sound Tigers just before training camp last September. He led the team with four goals, three power-play goals, two game-winners and six points and tied for the team lead with two assists and a +3 in a trio of preseason games at the Rinks at Shelton last fall.

Campoli played the previous four seasons, 2000-04, with the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters. He won the 2001-02 OHL Championship with Erie, as well as the 2003-04 Dan Synder Award as that league’s Humanitarian of the Year while serving as team captain of the Otters.

Campoli is the second Sound Tiger in as many years to be named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. Goaltender Wade Dubielewicz was named to the 2003-04 All-Rookie and All-Star Teams in addition to winning the Dudley “Red” Garrett Memorial Award as the league’s top rookie and sharing the Harry “Hap” Holmes Award with Dieter Kochan for the AHL’s lowest goals against average last season.

SOUND TIGERS PLAYER OF THE WEEK – D CHRIS CAMPOLI
April 4, 2005
Campoli finished the week on a three-game goal and point streak with four goals, including power-play tallies in each contest, and one assist. The North York, Ontario native was also a +4 last week. Campoli finished the week leading all Sound Tigers defensemen and ranked second overall on the team with 32 assists and 45 points. He also ended last week with 13 goals and at a team-best +15 having played in a team-leading 72 games.

Campoli's hat trick lifts Bridgeport
October 5, 2004 - theahl.com

Rookie defenseman Chris Campoli capped a three-goal night with a power play score 51 seconds into overtime, giving Bridgeport a 4-3 win over Springfield in Shelton, Conn., on Monday night.

Campoli, a seventh-round draft pick by the N.Y. Islanders in 2004 out of Erie (OHL), has four goals and two assists in the Sound Tigers' two preseason contests.

Barrett Heisten had a goal and an assist for Bridgeport, and Bruno Gervais recorded two assists. Dieter Kochan and Wade Dubielewicz, last year's Harry "Hap" Holmes Award winners, combined for 28 saves.

Nikita Alexeev, the eighth overall pick in the 2000 NHL draft and a former teammate of Campoli's at Erie, scored twice for the Falcons.

Camp Fire
October 4, 2004: The Bridgeport Sound Tigers improved their preseason record to 2-0 Monday night when they defeated the Springfield Falcons 4-3 in overtime at the Rink in Shelton, CT. Once again the star of the show was Isles draft pick Chris Campoli, who continued his stellar play with a natural hat trick and the game winning goal.

Campoli, who right now is making Islanders GM Mike Milbury and his scouting staff grin from ear to ear, in the last week has gone from a possible long shot to make the Sound Tigers defensive core to possibly their best offensive defenseman. Even if it is preseason action, you have to be impressed with 4 goals and 2 assists in his first two professional games. 

The Sound Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning's AHL affiliate when Barrett Heisten notched his second goal in as many games. Assists went to John Morlang and Paul Caponigri. The Falcons would score two quick goals in the final 1:15 seconds of the first period to take a 2-1 lead off goals by Nikita Alexeev and Ryan Craig.

The second period saw the score remain 2-1 and Wade Dubielewicz replaced Dieter Kochan at the midway point. With 2:58 remaining in the second period the Sound Tigers tied the game 2-2 on Campoli's first goal of the game on assists from Matt Koalska and Sean Bergenheim. But the lead would be short lived into the third period when Alexeev would once again put the Falcons up 3-2 with his second goal of the game two minutes in. Midway through the third the Sound Tigers tied the game for the second time at 3-3 when Campoli scored on the power play off assists from Bruno Gervais and Mike Bayrack. Jeff Bateman provided a screen in front of the net. 

The Sound Tigers went back on the power play entering the extra session thanks to a cross checking call. 51 seconds in. Repeating the same play as the one they scored their third goal with, Gervais slid the puck over to Campoli who one timed it behind the Falcon goaltender for the 4-3 victory. Heisten also assisted on the winner. Campoli was named the first star obviously, for the second straight game. The Sound Tigers next game will be Wednesday night in Shelton against the Lowell Lock Monsters.

Sound Tigers Win First Preseason Match 4-0 Over Albany

October 2, 2004: islesinfo.com is dedicated to covering the New York Islanders whether the NHL is underway or not. Since there won't be any Islander hockey for the unforeseeable future the site will turn it's focus on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers as they opened up training camp last Monday, September 27th. After the first week, a rookie is turning some heads.

Chris Campoli is making a huge impression on the Sound Tigers and Islanders brass following his first week of pro camp. Bridgeport opened their 4 game preseason schedule last night with a 4-0 win over the New Jersey Devils affiliate the Albany River Rats. Campoli registered three points on the night with a goal and two assists. That and a +2 rating was good enough to garner first star of the game. Rookie David Cann and Alex Westlund combined to make 30 saves for the shutout. 

Campoli would put the Sound Tigers up 1-0 six minutes into the first period on the powerplay with assists going to Steve Regier and Blaine Down. Five minutes into the second period free agent signee Barrett Heisten put the Sound Tigers up 2-0 when he banged home a Campoli rebound. Jeff Bateman, a forward that has also drawn rave reviews thus far from head coach Greg Cronin, also assisted. In the last two minutes of the second period Bridgeport would pad their lead to 4-0. Down scored off assists by Ivan Curic and John Morlang with 2:19 left.  Sean Bergenheim notched a goal with 1:14 remaining on assists by CCHA 2003-04 MVP Derek Edwardson and Campoli.

The Sound Tigers were a perfect 4-4 on the penalty kill. Down was named the second star while Cann was given the third star. Bridgeport next faces the Springfield Falcons at the Shelton Rink Monday night at 7:00 pm.

- Islanders OHL scout Doug Gibson was impressed with Campoli which led to the Islanders drafting him. "He's a leader and he has outstanding intangibles. The knock is his size, but he has filled out. He quarterbacks the power play, has great hockey sense and doesn't panic with the puck." Like Regier, Campoli will attend the Islanders training camp this month and will most likely continue his progression under Greg Cronin's leadership with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Campoli Selected in WHA Amateur Draft
July 18, 2004

- Campoli has been selected by the Toronto franchise with the 64th pick overall, the eighth pick of the eighth round. Now he has the option of either signing with the Islanders to play with Bridgeport of the AHL next season or joining the WHA.

- Campoli has very good offensive upside as he broke Erie's record last season for most points in a season by a defenseman. He quarterbacked their power play, is hard to knock off his skates, has leadership qualities, character, and knows how to move the puck. He brings a lot of intangibles to the game. He was named by OHL managers to the third All-Star Team at the end of the 2003-04 season.

- Campoli was selected with the seventh round pick that the Islanders acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for D Mattias Timander.

- Campoli was invited to NHL training camps for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2003 and the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2002.

Isles Scouts: "He's a solid, puck-moving defenseman," said OHL talent hound Doug Gibson. "He's a regular in the OHL and quarterbacks the powerplay. Best of all is that he's a leader and has outstanding intangibles. The knock on him is his size, but he's filled out. To go with his hockey sense and puck-moving, he doesn't panic with the puck."

Sound Tigers notebook  

POSSIBLE TIGERS The Connecticut Post  

Sunday's finale of the NHL Entry Draft could have implications for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers' 2004-05 roster. The New York Islanders selected a pair of Canadian juniors players who will be 20 years old by the time the season starts and, according to the team's Web site, are candidates for the American Hockey League in the fall. The Islanders picked Medicine Hat Tigers left winger Steve Regier in the fifth round and took Erie Otters defenseman Chris Campoli in the seventh round. On the Web site, one scout compared the 6-foot-5 Regier to Shjon Podein, a gritty player who can chip in offensively; Regier has said he patterns his game after Brendan Shanahan. Campoli, a left-shooting defenseman (of course: you can count the Sound Tigers' all-time impact righties on one hand) who was the Canadian Hockey League's humanitarian of the year, was a power-play quarterback for Erie, scoring 20 goals in 2003-04. MICHAEL FORNABAIO

Hockey's Future Profile
Profile Contributed By: Jason Ahrens

History

Campoli was the second round pick of the Otters in 2000 and has played a regular shift since he arrived in Erie. He is often partnered with Colaiacovo and plays a similar game to the Leaf first rounder.

Talent Analysis

He isn’t fancy offensively but makes the simple plays, moves the puck accurately and quickly. Campoli plays the angles well in his own end. Main difference between him and the more highly touted teammate Brian Lee is in size, they play similar games and have similar stats so far this season and last. Defenceman under 6 feet generally have to be exceptional to be drafted. Campoli is still fairly slight -- he will need to gain in strength to have a club take a shot at him.

Chris Campoli 2003-2004 CHL Humanitarian-of-the-Year
May 19, 2004

KELOWNA, British Columbia ­ The Canadian Hockey League announced today that Erie Otters’ defenseman Chris Campoli has been selected as the 2003-2004 CHL Humanitarian-of-the-Year.

Josh Henessey of the Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) and Braydon Coburn of the Portland Winter Hawks (WHL) were the other nominees.

Campoli volunteered more than 230 hours to special causes during the 2003-2004 season. Among his activities, the 19-year-old Mississauga native spent more than 100 hours in the Shriner’s Hospital for Children outpatient clinic. The Otters’ captain helped check patients into their rooms, escorted patients to x-ray and assisted the clinical staff with office duties.

“Chris Campoli deserves this recognition,” said Mary Beth Chabola, Outpatient Unit Coordinator, Shriner’s Hospital, Erie Unit. “He has excelled in the hockey rink, we know that, but what most people don’t know about Chris is that he has a wonderful caring side that can make a child in pain laugh. The children at Shriner’s hospital in Erie know this. He has shown it many times without the lights, the fanfare or a stick in his hand.”

In addition to his work at the Shriner’s Hospital, Campoli served as the co-captain of “The Caring Team”, a group that supports children grieving the death of a loved one and provides assistance to children in need of health insurance. He also visited more than 30 schools in the area conveying the positive messages of staying in school and getting good grades while reading books, playing floor hockey and answering questions from the students.

On the ice, the fourth-year blueliner established new Otters’ franchise records for goals, assists and points in a season by a defenseman with 20 goals and 46 assists for 66 points in 67 games while becoming the Otters’ career leader among defensemen in assists (119) and points (150).

In April Campoli was selected as the first recipient of the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy as the Ontario Hockey League’s Humanitarian-of-the-Year. Campoli is the third member of the Otters to capture CHL honors. Brad Boyes (1998-2002) won the CHL Scholastic Player-of-the-Year Award in 1999-2000 and was named the CHL Most Sportsmanlike Player in 2001-2002 while General Manager and Managing Partner Sherwood Bassin was selected as the CHL Executive-of-the-Year in 2001-2002.

Campoli named Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy winner
April 19, 2004

OHL Announces Third Team All-Stars
April 1, 2004

The Guelph Storm were well represented on the Third All-Star Team by coach Shawn Camp, centre Martin St. Pierre and defenceman Kevin Klein. Knights teammates Dylan Hunter (left wing) and David Bolland (right wing) as well as Erie Otters defenceman Chris Campoli and IceDogs goaltender David Shantz rounded out the selections.

OHL Announces Nominees for Max Kaminsky Award
March 31, 2004

Chris Campoli was nominated for the Max Kaminsky Award which is awarded annually to the OHL's most outstanding defenseman. The winner is the OHL nominee for the CHL Defenseman of the Year.

Chris Campoli's Erie Otters Profile

Acquired: Selected 30th overall by the Otters in the 2000 OHL Priority Selection

2003-04: Chris was named the CHL Humanitarian-of-the-Year . . . selected as the first recipient of the Dan Snyder Memorial Award as OHL Humanitarian-of-the-Year . . . played his 247th career game 3/13/04 vs. Plymouth to tie Shane Nash (1996-2000) for second on the Otters' all-time games played list . . . saw a career-high matching five-game point streak (3-5-8) end 2/25/04 @ Owen Sound . . . established a new Otters' record for assists in a season by a defenseman when he recorded his 41st 2/20/04 vs. Toronto . . . became the Otters' all-time leader in defense scoring with 140 points (Arvid Rekis, 138, 1996-2000) after collecting two assists 2/20/04 vs. Toronto . . . moved into first on the Otters' all-time defense assist list with 114 assists (Arvid Rekis, 113) with two assists 2/20/04 vs. Toronto . . . registered an assist 2/18/04 vs. Owen Sound to tie Arvid Rekis (1996-2000) for first on the Otters' all-time defense scoring list (138 points) . . . established a new Otters record for goals in a season by a defenseman when he netted his 15th 2/14/04 vs. Kitchener (Carlo Colaiacovo, 14, 2002-2003) . . . stopped on a penalty shot by Danny Taylor 2/8/04 @ Guelph . . . saw a career-high matching five-game point streak (5-4-9) end 1/30/04 @ Oshawa . . . equaled the Otters record for goals in a season by a defenseman (Carlo Colaiacovo, 14, 2002-2003) when he netted his 14th of the season 1/29/04 @ Peterborough . . . scored a goal and an assist in the Western Conference's 7-2 win over the Eastern Conference in the 2004 OHL All-Star Classic held 1/27/04 @ Peterborough . . . established new Otters' record for points in a season by a defenseman when he recorded his 49th point with a goal 1/25/04 @ London . . . tied his own franchise record for points in a season by a defenseman (2002-2003) with 48 with a three-point performance 1/24/04 vs. Kitchener . . . selected to the Western Conference Team for the 2004 OHL All-Star Classic 1/27/04 @ Peterborough . . . recorded his 100th career assist as part of a three-assist game 1/3/04 vs. Peterborough . . . saw a career-high matching five-game point streak (1-6-7) end 1/2/04 vs. Oshawa . . . played in his 200th OHL game 11/15/03 vs. Owen Sound . . . selected to represent the Ontario Hockey League at the Re/Max Canada/Russia Challenge 11/17 @ London and 11/19 @ Sarnia . . . registered his 100th career point 10/18/03 @ Belleville . . . invited to attend the Training Camp of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

2002-03: Selected as the Otters' Player-of-the-Year, Most Valuable Player (shared with Rob Hisey), Best Defenseman (shared with Carlo Colaiacovo) and Steve Nimigon Humanitarian Award winner . . . recorded a career-high four assists 3/15/03 vs. Saginaw . . . established new Otters' record for assists and points in a season by a defenseman when he registered his 37th assist and 46th point 3/15/03 vs. Saginaw (36 assists and 45 points by Arvid Rekis in 1997-98) . . . equaled the Otters' franchise record for assists in a season by a defenseman when he collected two 3/15/03 vs. Windsor (36, Arvid Rekis 1997-98) . . . collected his 50th career assist 12/15/02 @ Toronto . . . played his 150th career game 12/14/02 vs. Owen Sound . . . scored the first shorthanded goal and game winning goal of his career 12/13/02 vs. Owen Sound . . . saw a career-high five-game scoring streak (0-7-7) end 11/10/02 @ Saginaw . . . recorded his 50th career point 11/7/02 @ Windsor . . . established a new career-high for goals in a season when he netted his third 10/16/02 vs. Owen Sound . . . invited to attend the Columbus Blue Jackets' Prospects Camp and 2002 Training Camp. 

2001-02: Listed 160th in North America by NHL Central Scouting in their final rankings for the 2002 NHL Entry Draft . . . played his 100th career OHL game 1/26/02 vs. Ottawa . . . listed 173rd in North American in the National Hockey League Central Scouting mid-season rankings for the 2002 NHL Entry Draft . . . netted his first goal of the season 12/27/01 @ Plymouth . . . recorded his first career two-point game (two assists) 9/29/01 vs. Sudbury.

2000-01: Helped Canada to a gold medal at the Six Nations Under-18 Hockey Tournament held in the Czech Republic in August 2001 . . . a member of the bronze medal winning Team Ontario at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge held in Truro and New Glasgow, Nova Scotia December 27 to January 4, 2001 . . . scored his first career goal 10/12/00 @ Peterborough . . . registered his first career OHL assist in his first OHL game 9/22/00 @ Sarnia . . . selected by the Otters in the second round (30th overall) of the 2000 OHL Priority Selection.

Personal Hockey Highlight: 2002 OHL Championship; attending the 2002 Columbus Blue Jackets Rookie & Training Camp; gold medalist with Canada at the 2001 Six Nations Under-18 Tournament & 2000 Team Ontario Bronze Medalist at the Canada Winter Games.

Favorite Hockey Player: Bryan Berard

Favorite Hockey Team: Toronto Maple Leafs

Shoots: Left