A 104-year-old World War II hero stole the entire show — before a single puck dropped.
Staff Sergeant Dominick Critelli walked out on the ice Saturday and absolutely crushed the National Anthem on saxophone ahead of the rivalry showdown between the New York Islanders and New York Rangers.
And the crowd went wild.
Wearing a custom Islanders jersey with the number 104, Critelli was helped onto the ice, then took it from there. His century-old lungs belted out the anthem like he was 20 again, with Isles and Rangers fans standing tall, hands over hearts, singing along through tears and cheers. It was the kind of patriotic moment America hasn’t seen nearly enough of in recent years.
And then came the roar — “USA!” chants shaking the arena after his final note. The Army veteran answered with a strong salute that said everything.
Critelli’s story is pure American steel. A WWII aircraft mechanic who served with the 95th Infantry Division Headquarters Battery, he spent 151 days in combat, fought in Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, and even went behind enemy lines to help stranded U.S. troops. His heroism earned him the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three Bronze Stars, the American Theatre Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
Last summer, on the 80th anniversary of D-Day, French President Emmanuel Macron awarded Critelli the Legion of Honor — France’s highest military award. Saturday night, before 17,000 hockey fans, he showed America why.
Watch the clip above.
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