In September, Michael Fitoussi who once played for the Bruins at Parkwood, and now plays for the Royals, coached by Aleksey Nikiforov (who once coached Darius Kasparaitis and Dainius Zubrus) made the final cut to play as a Junior Islander, coached by Bobby Nystrom and Gerry Hart, with Aleksey Nikiforov as trainer. This composite team was formed to compete in the challenge cup in Toronto during Christmas vacation where 32 international teams were represented. The Islanders went to the semifinals, and lost. Michael incurred a shoulder injury in the quarterfinals and could not help his team in the semis. It was the first time in the history of the tournament that a composite team made it to the final four.

This positive accomplishment gave confidence to the team, where six weeks later they would be competing in the 42nd International World Cup Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. Michael had six weeks to come back from his injury. Four weeks later he was back to full potential. Now it is time for Quebec. One hundred and eight teams flood the town of Quebec, from all over the world: Russians, Swiss, Austrians, French, English, Italians, to name a few, not to forget the Canadian and American teams.

The first step was to win the division - the Jr. Islanders were in the American Cup. To name the last four memorable games: The Montreal Canadians were a big obstacle. They were the only team from Quebec left in the American Cup. Hometown refs gave the Islanders nine penalties, including two five on threes, and only called one penalty against Montreal, but the Islanders went on to win three to two in overtime, regardless. Michael had two assists in that game. A few games later, the Junior Islanders ended up in the final eight and had to play the Detroit Redwings (a.k.a. Little Caesars). The Junior Islanders surprised the experts, and beat the Redwings four to three. And here is how it happened: In front of 14,000 spectators, the Junior Islanders, behind one-nothing in the first period, were playing short-handed, when Michael Fitoussi stole the puck from the defense and scored the first goal (unassisted) to jump start their victory. In the third period, the Islanders went ahead two to one. With two minutes, 20 seconds left in the game, the Redwings scored two goals, the Islanders now loosing 3-2. The announcer called one minute left in the game. Michael flew off the bench, stole the puck, passed to Scott Birnstill who was wide open by the right side of the goal. His score tied the game 2-2 with 35.2 seconds on the clock. Fourteen thousand people were on their feet. With 15.3 seconds left, the Junior Islanders managed a winning goal, and were the American Champions, making the Quebec newspapers for the second time.

They made it to the final four with Victoriaville in their way of the final. With a four to three victory, in overtime against Victoriaville, the Junior Islanders became finalists of the World Cup playing against the Middlesex Islanders. After being down 2 to 0, the New York Junior Islanders tied the game 2-2, and ended up losing 4-2 in a very honorable game, which could have gone either way.

Before leaving New York, the question was asked: Can the Junior Islanders "skate" with them? The question really should have been, "Can they skate with us?" The Islanders played a total of 17 games and only lost one (most of them where they came from behind), bringing home a Gold medal for the American Cup and Silver for the World Cup. Michael Fitoussi was one point short of the highest scorer of the tournament, which went to a player from the Redwings. The two goalies, Dan Rosen and Josh Roarke, both in the Challenge Cup and the World Cup, gave us less than two goals a game until the final cup, giving the team the chance to be in every game. They were the best goalies out there.

While in Quebec, the boys stayed in pairs with different Canadian families. Michael was with Natalie and André Blais who watched over him better than his own parents, and cried when they lost in the finals, and cried even more when the boys went home. A little bit of the boys stayed in Quebec, and a big piece of Quebec came back with them. The World Cup is a once in a life time experience for Pee-Wees when they reach 13. Every year there is a new group of kids. This group of Junior Islanders will never forget the experience, and their accomplishment.

The boys missed ten days of school, and used their vacation time for homework. Back to school now Michael is looking forward to the Long Island Championship, the Atlantic Division Championship, where Michael is the highest scorer with 25 goals in 19 games, and the State Championship which can bring the Royals to the Nationals.

When this season is over, Michael will play for the Ducks, a composite team that will compete in Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa. He has to keep his feet moving for the future.