104-year-old WWII vet performs national anthem before Islanders game

The New York Islanders are known for bringing successful beardown performers for nan nationalist anthem, and Saturday nighttime earlier their crippled against nan New York Rangers astatine nan UBS Arena was nary exception.

Dominick Critelli, a 104-year-old World War II veteran, took nan crystal successful a bluish Islanders jersey and performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" pinch his saxophone. The crowd erupted into "U-S-A" chants aft he was finished.

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World War II seasoned Dominick Critelli plays nan nationalist anthem anterior to nan crippled betwixt nan New York Islanders and nan New York Rangers astatine UBS Arena connected Dec. 27, 2025, successful Elmont, New York. (Steven Ryan/NHLI via Getty Images)

Critelli, a unit sergeant who immigrated to nan U.S. from Italy erstwhile he was a child, spent 151 days successful combat successful World War II. He flew down force lines to present supplies to American troops, according to NHL.com.

He earned prestigious honors for his clip successful nan military. He was awarded nan "European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal pinch 3 Bronze Stars, nan American Theater Medal, nan WWII Victory Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal," nan NHL said. He besides survived nan Battle of nan Bulge and nan landings astatine Normandy.

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New York Islanders correct helping Simon Holmstrom (10) celebrates pinch his teammates aft scoring a extremity successful nan 3rd play against nan New York Rangers astatine UBS Arena connected Dec. 27, 2025. (Wendell Cruz/Imagn Images)

"I emotion this country," he told nan New York Post earlier his rendition. "If I hadn’t travel to this country, I’d beryllium stuck pinch Mussolini."

The Islanders besides sewage a immense 2-0 triumph complete their rivals.

Islanders goaltender David Rittich made 27 saves, signaling his ninth profession shutout. He denied shots from Rangers players Will Cuylle and Artemi Panarin.

New York Islanders goaltender David Rittich (33) skates distant from nan nett aft making a prevention connected a punishment changeable connected extremity effort successful nan 3rd play against nan New York Rangers astatine UBS Arena connected Dec. 27, 2025. (Wendell Cruz/Imagn Images)

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Andrers Lee and Simon Holmstrom contributed pinch goals for nan Islanders.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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