During his time with the Islanders , he contracted Eosinophilia -- myalgia syndrome , a potentially fatal neurological disease , which cost him nearly all of the 1990-91 season .
He played 2 seasons with the Islanders . During his time with them , Fitzpatrick contracted Eosinophilia -- myalgia syndrome , which is a potentially fatal neurological disease and it cost him almost all of the 1990-91 NHL season .