104-Year-Old Veteran Delivers Emotional Anthem at Rangers-Islanders Game

www.boundingintosports.com

104-year-old World War II veteran Dominick Critelli captivated a packed UBS Arena on Saturday night with a stirring saxophone rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the New York Islanders faced off against the New York Rangers.

It was a moment that transcended one of hockey’s fiercest rivalries.

Critelli, a former Army Staff Sergeant born in 1921, played a flawless performance on his soprano saxophone—an instrument he has mastered since before enlisting to fight in World War II.

As he hit the final extended note, the crowd—filled with fans from both teams—erupted in applause, followed by chants of “USA! USA!”

Critelli saluted the arena in response, clearly beaming with pride.

National Anthem Unites

The performance united the divided crowd in admiration for the World War II hero. Even self-described “diehard Rangers fans and Islanders haters” took to social media to praise it as “the greatest performance of an anthem ever.”

Fans were singing along in harmony, and many described the scene as deeply emotional, with some admitting it brought tears to their eyes.

“The phrase ‘killed it’ should be reserved for things of this quality,” one fan wrote on X.

Another hockey fan responded, “Could be the greatest performance of an anthem ever… from a diehard Rangers fan and Islander hater.”

“Everything about this, right up through the announcer’s one-liner at the end, is phenomenal,” another viewer expressed.

READ MORE: Francisco Lindor’s Wife Joins Zohran Mamdani’s Inaugural Committee

Thank You for Your Service

Critelli’s military service is extraordinary. He served in air reconnaissance, flying supply drop missions under heavy fire to support American infantry during the liberation of France.

He spent 151 days in combat, survived the Battle of the Bulge, and earned numerous honors, including the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three Bronze Stars, the Air Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Recently, he was knighted by French President Emmanuel Macron for his role in France’s liberation.

A lifelong musician who immigrated from Italy as a child and later taught music for over 20 years, Critelli still performs regularly in a band. He called the opportunity to play at UBS Arena “something special,” especially as a devoted Rangers supporter attending a rivalry game.

“I love this country,” Critelli told the New York Post. “If I hadn’t come to this country, I’d be stuck with Mussolini.”