Dominick Critelli, a 105-year-old World War II veteran, played “The Star-Spangled Banner” on his saxophone before the New York Islanders’ home opener against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.Critelli performed seated at UBS Arena, wearing his veteran cap and a custom Islanders jersey numbered 105. It was his second anthem at the arena after a viral performance last December, when he was 104.Born in Italy in 1921, Critelli came to America at age 8 and picked up the saxophone at 13. He served as an Army staff sergeant, spending 151 days in combat and surviving the Battle of the Bulge.French President Emmanuel Macron knighted him in 2024 for helping liberate France.

The Islanders honoured him as the game’s veteran, presenting the jersey through alumnus Butch Goring.“I lost a lot of friends,” Critelli has said of his service. “I’m doing this for them.” He still practises his saxophone for an hour every day.