For Tony Romano of Smithtown, the possibility of playing for the New York Islanders in the NHL this season is truly something right out of a movie.

"It would be a dream come true for me," Romano said, who laced up his skates for the first time when he was three years old. "Growing up here, it means a lot to me to be a part of this organization. I grew up a big fan when I was a little kid. Even to this day I still root for the team like a fan."

Romano grew up in Smithtown and attended St. Anthony's High School. While attending St. Anthony's Romano played for the New York Bobcats of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League where he scored 50 goals his senior year.

He has spent the last couple of weeks training with the Islanders at various facilities on Long Island and is among several prospects that might get a chance to play with the team this season. The possibility of playing for the Islanders not only has Romano buzzing, but his family as well.

"It's a rewarding experience when you see someone work hard since they were four years old and strive to reach to his goals," said Tony's father Gil Romano. "He's getting real close to it. It's an unbelievable feeling for my family."

At the age of 18 Romano was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the sixth round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Since then, he has worked his way up through the hockey ranks. He had 19 points in 29 games for Cornell University before switching out of the ECAC to the Ontario Hockey League.

Romano finished the 2007-08 season with 22 points in 66 games for the London Knights. But Romano broke out during the 2008-09 season finishing with 36 goals and 69 points in 65 games for the Peterborough Petes.

Romano was traded to the Islanders on June 30, 2009, moving one step closer to his dream of wearing the same jersey as the players he idolized growing up – players like Islander greats Derek King and Pierre Turgeon.

"His favorite player growing up was Pierre Turgeon," Gil said. "He used to live and breathe that guy from the time he was three or four years old."

Romano spent the 2009-10 season in the American Hockey League with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and the East Coast Hockey League with the Utah Grizzlies and the Toledo Walleye.

At this year's training camp Romano has been using his puck control, creativeness, and incredible speed to show the organization that he has what it takes to excel at the NHL level.

"I'm just trying to work my hardest here and make a good impression on the coaches," Romano said. "They've been pushing pretty hard, but everyone's been putting in a good effort and they've just been teaching us a lot."

The 22-year-old has evolved as a hockey player in front of his father, who takes great pride in seeing him in suited up as an Islander.

"It's a dream come true," Gil said. "What better thing to have than to play in your own backyard? Just watching him wear that Islander jersey is a dream, it's actually a dream. Obviously anywhere would be a great place, but this is the most special place."

However, Romano still has one important step left.

"Ever since I was five years old I wanted to be an Islander, so to be here and be so close to it right now is a great feeling," Romano said. "But I'm not going to be totally happy until I actually suit up for them in a regular season game one day."