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

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

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

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

World War II seasoned Dominick Critelli plays the nationalist anthem anterior to the crippled betwixt the New York Islanders and the 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 the U.S. from Italy erstwhile helium 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 the military. He was awarded the "European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, the American Theater Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal," the NHL said. He besides survived the Battle of the Bulge and the landings astatine Normandy.

TRUMP HONORS 'MIRACLE ON ICE' TEAM; MIKE ERUZIONE, JIM CRAIG PRAISE PRESIDENT IN RETURN

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

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

The Islanders besides got a immense 2-0 triumph implicit their rivals.

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

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

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Andrers Lee and Simon Holmstrom contributed with goals for the Islanders.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.