Hockey Legend Ed Westfall at Malverne Cinema

It was lights, camera, action for Ed Westfall on the morning of Tuesday, June 28 as he and a film crew recorded scenes celebrating the New York Islanders’ 50 year anniversary.

Westfall, originally hailing from Ontario Canada, boasts an impressive hockey career having played over 1,200 games. A member of the Boston Bruin’s Stanley Cup-winning 1970 and 1972 teams, Westfall was tapped to be the Islanders’ first captain in the 1972-73 season. Westfall remained captain until 1976 before leaving the Islanders and the NHL in 1979.

Anne Stampfel, the co-owner and operator of Malverne Cinema, offered some insight into the preparations for the recording session. “They came the night before and did a lot of setup. They replaced our posters with Islanders posters. They changed the marquis,” she explained. “They also changed the theatre name at the top of the marquis using CGI,” she said, referencing a name swap from “Malverne Cinema” to “New York Islanders Cinema” seen in the video.

The film crew started with exterior shots before moving inside. “They Shot outside first,” Stampfel stated. “They had a vintage car pull up to the theater and drop off Mr. Westfall.” The film crew then made use of the cinema’s lobby and concessions area, capturing Westfall grabbing popcorn and a soda. Finally, they utilized one of the theater’s auditoriums. “They took video of him going to his seen, looking at the screen and reacting, and they brought in the Islander’s mascot Sparky too,” Stampfel explained.

Stampfel was grateful for the quick turnaround. “They came in the morning, got done quickly, and we were able to show our afternoon movies with no interruption,” she said. She did admit that she hasn’t closely followed the Islanders. “My husband Henry has always been a big fan though,” she said. “So obviously he was very excited.”

Paul Brandel, a 30-year resident of Malverne, was on hand to take some pictures and to talk to Westfall. “What happened was a friend of mine was walking his dog, saw what was going on, and told me there was Islanders related filming happening.” Brandel has been a 50-year fan of the Islanders and has met Westfall on numerous occasions in the past. “I was an original Islanders’ season ticket holder since 1973. He and my father were friends, and I’ve had lunch with him every once in a while over the years. I probably last saw him at the playoffs six or so years ago”

Brandel expressed appreciation that Westfall and many Islanders stay involved with the team and in local communities. “You see Ed and other retired players at games, dinners, and team events,” he explained. “The players are all very involved in their communities, and they’re always giving to their fans.”

The footage taken was ultimately used in a release for the Islanders’ game schedule this season posted on the Islanders’ YouTube channel on Wednesday July 6. A lighthearted segment, the video pokes fun at some of the Islander’s major competitors like the Pittsburg Penguins, the Toronto Maple Leaves, and even Westfall’s own Boston Bruins. It will no doubt get a chuckle from longtime Islanders fans.