Some of the children who took the ice Sunday at Northwell Health Ice Center had been on skates before, and some had even had a hockey stick in their hands before. But, there were also some that had never laced up skates or experienced what the game of hockey is all about.
What they all had was an opportunity to learn about the game of hockey from a former NHL player and first responders from their community, and they were also treated to some good times with Sparky, the Islanders’ mascot.
The Islanders began their “Break The Ice” program on Sunday at their practice facility in East Meadow, and they did so with the help of former Islanders defenseman Radek Martinek and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department. In the first of four separate “Try Hockey For Free” type clinics, Martinek and the first responders served as coaches for middle school-aged children from underprivileged areas of Long Island.
“For us, it’s all about introducing the game of hockey to everyone in our community, putting sticks into hands and really showing them what this sport is about and how they too can play,” said Ann Rina, the Islanders’ Senior Director of Community Relations. “It doesn’t matter where they’re from. Everybody has the ability to have fun and play the game and see where it takes them.”
The program is designed for the children to be able to experience the game of hockey, and also connect with the first responders and establish a dialogue with the officers that protect their communities. Everyone on Long Island certainly went through a tough time over the last two years, not only because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also as a result of other social and political issues, many of which involved first responders (including police officers).
With mandates coming to an end and other COVID-related guidelines having been loosened, the event that the Islanders conducted on Sunday can go a long way towards bringing back smiles, hope, and trust.
“It’s great for all of us to come together now without the fear of the pandemic, and for law enforcement to show a different side to these young men and women, not wearing our uniforms and instead putting on hockey jerseys and having hockey equipment on and actually skating around with them,” said Errol Toulon Jr., Sheriff of Suffolk County. “I cannot thank the New York Islanders enough for giving these young men and women an opportunity to get on the ice and really learn what this game is about. It’s really such a fast-paced energetic game that requires teamwork and skill. We’re hoping that these kids will take it a little further.”
The first responders, in their black and gold jerseys with “SCSO” for Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office on the front, took time out of their busy and grueling schedules to give back even more to the community simply by spending some time on the ice with the children.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Martinek, who posed for photos and signed autographs after the clinic. “They still find the time to come over and help us and we so appreciate it.”
The Islanders have historically done so many great things in the community, and this was no different. They continue to find ways to bring the game to new fans of all ages, and there’s no doubt that they created some new fans with their efforts on Sunday.
And they did so while also strengthening the relationship between the community and law enforcement.
“It’s something that’s very important to the police department and the sheriff’s department,” said Rina. “They do a lot of community work with underprivileged communities and groups, so this is only building upon some of the relationships that they currently have and making them stronger.”
Sunday’s 90-minute-long event on the ice had the children who had some prior skating experience on one end of the Al Arbour Rink, and the children who had never been on skates before at the other end. Martinek put the experienced skaters through some drills, and also made his way to the other end of the ice to help the first responders teach the others how to skate – and also give some tips on how to play hockey.
There were some children who were wearing Islanders jerseys and other Islanders apparel, so the presence of a former New York Islander had to be a big thrill for them. It was also meaningful for Martinek to take the time to work with children that were getting a very special opportunity.
“I played a long time for the Islanders so now it’s my time to pay back a little bit,” said Martinek, who played 11 of his 12 NHL seasons in an Islanders uniform. “The Islanders are a big name in this area so who else should do it? The name Islanders brings more kids to play hockey.”
Ever since the new ownership group, led by Scott Malkin and Jon Ledecky, took over majority control of the franchise before the 2016-17 season, there has been an emphasis on re-connecting the alumni with the organization. There have always been former players who have come back to games and events in the past, but over the last few years, more and more former players have been visible.
Martinek has planted roots on Long Island and has always been active in community events.
“Our alumni are one of our biggest ambassadors to the team and to the game itself,” said Rina. “Radek has lived here on Long Island since he played here with the team.”
Sunday was a remarkable day for the Islanders, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, and the community, especially those young men and women who skated on the very ice that the Islanders practice on, with a backdrop of the team’s four Stanley Cup championship banners that are on a wall in the rink.
At the end of the day, it was all about the children and helping them become passionate about the game of hockey.
“I love the sport,” said Toulon. “I guess sometimes that passion I want to exude to other people, and I think with our youth, it will give these young kids an opportunity to do something they probably couldn’t have done before.”
Those children had an amazing afternoon learning about hockey, but it’s just the start for the Islanders’ new program. They will conduct three more clinics this season, with three more groups of first responders from different areas on Long Island.
It’s important for any franchise to engage with their community, and the Islanders continue to find new ways to bring the sport of hockey to new fans, especially to the children. You can’t put a price tag on the smiles on all of those faces.
Follow Peter Schwartz on Twitter: @SchwartzSports
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