Hall of Fame Class of 2026
Josh Bailey, a former forward for the New York Islanders, was recently inducted into the New York State Hockey Hall of Fame’s 2026 class, joining an exclusive group of franchise legends.
His career spanned 1,057 regular‑season games, making him the third player in Islanders history to reach the 1,000‑game milestone.
Across those appearances he recorded 184 goals and 580 points, statistics that reflect both his scoring touch and playmaking vision.
Bailey’s most memorable moments came in the playoffs, where he delivered two overtime winners against the Pittsburgh Penguins — one in Game 1 of the 2019 first‑round series and another in double overtime of Game 5 in 2021 — helping the Islanders complete a sweep.
The induction ceremony also recognized former General Manager Neil Smith, whose leadership with the Islanders and New York Rangers left a lasting imprint on the organization’s roster‑building strategies.
Beyond the numbers, Bailey is viewed as a cornerstone of New York hockey, a player whose resilience and clutch performances have inspired teammates and fans alike.