Joshua Ho-Sang has been under the gun lately. Many have questioned his choice to wear the number 66. That didn’t stop him from scoring his first NHL goal on Tuesday night.
One thing is for sure, @66jhosang's first career goal was a cannon. #NHLFirsts https://t.co/5JDozd91pw
— NHL (@NHL) March 8, 2017
He only needs 689 more to catch the other #66.
But seriously, wearing #66 is not a big deal. The New York Islanders haven’t retired it, nor has the NHL, and there have been two others that have worn #66 since. Therefore, what is the issue with wearing the number that he has worn for most of his playing career?
New York Islanders Josh Ho-Sang Scores First NHL Goal
Ho-Sang asked yet again about wearing No. 66: "It's no disrespect. If anything it's the ultimate respect."
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) March 7, 2017
In fact, Josh Ho-Sang wears it to pay homage and respect to Mario Lemieux who he looks up to.
It was considered a bit of a risk when the Islanders drafted Ho-Sang 28th overall in 2014.
A supremely talented player who had some off-ice and commitment concerns. In 2015 he forgot to set an alarm and was late for Day 1 of Islanders training camp, which sent him back to junior.
Josh Ho-Sang had 10 goals and 36 points in 48 AHL games with Bridgeport. He had a point-per-game average that ranks eighth among all freshmen.
There are times where Ho-Sang’s confidence may be mistaken for cockiness. He has high standards for himself, as does everyone else.
“I have a certain standard for myself and when I meet it, I’m content. When I’m not it’s frustrating,” Ho-Sang told reporters. “Just finding it is the biggest thing and I’ve never had trouble finding it, it’s just when. It’s just doing the same things, doing what the coaches want from me and mixing in my game with that.”
Ho-Sang has great potential. After all, he was a first round pick. He could be used on the power-play, penalty kill, maybe even try him on some even-strength shifts with John Tavares. The more experience and diversity he faces, the better he will be.
There’s no doubt that Josh Ho-Sang has the skill, now it becomes about adjusting to the NHL game. He should be just fine once he settles in. He may end up being regarded as a steal in the 2014 draft.
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