Hudson Fasching: An inspiring Islander

After scoring his first NHL goals in six years, Fasching reflects on a life and career that has not been easy, but that's nothing compared to the challenges his brother and sister have faced

Hudson Fasching signed as a free agent with the New York Islanders over the summer. (Photo by Dennis DaSilva)

When Hudson Fasching tipped a Matt Martin wrist shot past Thomas Greiss of the St. Louis Blues more than two weeks ago, it marked a span of 2,446 days between NHL goals for him. It may come as a surprise that 35 other players – including Martin Brodeur – have gone longer between NHL goals. Poor Fred Hucul went almost 15 years – 5,393 days to be exact – between finding the back of the net for the Chicago Black Hawks in 1953 and the expansion Blues in 1967.

In any event, six years, eight months and 10 days is a long time. In fact, it can seem like an eternity in the life of a hockey player. But Hudson Fasching never gave up on the fact that he could play in the NHL again, this time at the age of 27. Through all those years of being a Sabre, an American, both a Roadrunner and a Coyote and now an Islander, Fasching kept chasing his dream. His is not just a story of a once-promising prospect slugging it out in the minors, but one of resilience and determination. “Yeah, I’ll take that spin on it,” Fasching said with a laugh.