Fotiu Still a Fan Favorite

Over the course of the late 70s and 80s, the New York Hockey scene was flourishing, thanks in part to big name players like Phil Esposito, Mike Bossy, Rod Gilbert and Bryan Trottier, who put smiles on thousands, if not millions of hockey fans’ faces. However, in spite of those enigmatic stars, a gritty hard worker the likes of Nick Fotiu is not to be underestimated either. Amassing 1,362 PIM and 137 points over 646 games in the NHL, Fotiu was a fan favorite in his own right who always made sure his teammates were protected on the ice.

Chatting with Aces Over Brooklyn before “Nick Fotiu Night” at Aviator Arena a few weeks ago, Fotiu talks about his life in hockey as both a player and coach.

Aces Over Brooklyn- When someone thinks of tough and gritty hockey players in New York in the 70s and 80s, your name frequently comes up. However, newer fans of the game may not know much about you. For them, can you tell us a bit about how you played the game?

Nick Fotiu- I was an aggressive player that used to get on the defensemen right away. I used to try and rock Madison Square Garden with a check every night I played there. I really tried to get the fans into the game. I loved getting them going and my teammates going.

AOB- Because of the Internet, many of your fights are still available for hockey fans to see today, which has kept your legend alive so to speak. How does that make you feel?

Fotiu- I wasn’t a huge penalty minute guy. I had a little over 1,300 in 13 years. I always made sure I stuck up for my teammates though. I did it whenever I could because I was a team player. It was a huge part of the game for me. It’s nice that people can still see that.

AOB- You’ve spent several seasons as a coach. How rewarding has that been?

Fotiu- I coached for 14 years in various levels and I’ve developed 31 players that have made it to the National Hockey League. It was a great experience.

AOB- Any names that fans at home right know?

Fotiu- Oh sure. Jonathan Cheechoo, Mikael Samuelsson, Vesa Toskala, Evgeni Nabakov, Mikka Kiprusoft, Mark Streit, Matt Bradley, Dan Boyle, Fedor Tyutin and Andy Sutton are just a few. There’s been a whole bunch of them.

AOB- Is there a player at the NHL level today that you feel best personifies what you did when you were on the ice?

Fotiu- Colton Orr.

AOB- You played for the Rangers when the Islanders rivalry was at it’s All-Time high. Was there a player on the Islanders that you couldn’t wait to get in a scrap with or lay a big hit on?

Fotiu- Not really. I actually really had a lot of respect for those guys. Bobby Nystrom and Clark Gillies especially were really tough players that you had to work your hardest against if you were going to be succesful. Actually, the team’s coach now, Scotty Gordon, I coached when I was in Nashville Tennessee.

AOB- What was it like to be a part of that rivalry?

Fotiu- It was really tough hockey. It was a war. A lot of hard-hitting and great goaltending. Every time the Islanders and Rangers played, it was like the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Photo by Patrick Hickey Jr.

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