If you grew up playing hockey, chances are you may have spent part of your childhood learning how to play the game on an outdoor ice rink commonly known as a pond hockey rink. The NHL has brought the game back to its roots with a series of outdoor games that began in 2003. The Islanders played in their first outdoor game when they took on the Rangers at Yankee Stadium in a Stadium Series game in 2014 and the Isles will meet the Blueshirts again outdoors on February 18th in a Stadium Series game at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
In the spirit of bringing the game back to its roots, the Islanders have partnered with Northwell Health, NYRA and USA Hockey to build “The Park” at UBS Arena. It’s a 155,800 square foot space right next to the Islanders’ magnificent new home that will feature the community’s first two public pond rinks. The space will also be home to MSG Network’s Islanders pre-game show, a beer garden, a VIP hospitality area, a variety of vintage carnival games, food trucks and a pop-up Islanders team store.
Don’t be surprised if you see some Islanders players having some fun at the rinks, because they just might want to go back in time to their youth.
“I love it,” said Islanders Captain Anders Lee. “I grew up on outdoor rinks and just going to meet friends there and mom giving you five bucks to order pizza and picking you up later in the afternoon. I have some fond memories of some outdoor hockey and that’s when it’s really fun. You’re out there with your friends being outside playing hockey. It’s a really good time so it’s awesome that it’s coming to our community here and looking forward to seeing it up.”
“The Park” will celebrate it’s grand opening on Wednesday December 27th prior to the Islanders game against the Penguins. Overseeing the construction of the rinks is Dan Craig who was the NHL’s Facilities Operations Manager for 23 years and was in charge of making the ice for more than 30 NHL outdoor games. The first pond, which is named the “Northwell Pond” will have a sheet of natural ice and will host a series of 4 on 4 pond hockey tournaments under the direction of USA Hockey. The second rink, named the “Isles Pond”, will be have a synthetic surface that will ensure season-long accessibility and will host “Learn to Skate”, “Learn to Play” and “Try Hockey for Free” programs.
There is certainly a romanticism of playing hockey and ice skating in the great outdoors and now that is coming to Belmont Park.
“It’s the best,” said Islanders forward Bo Horvat. “That’s how I fell in love with the game…playing downstairs in my basement or on ponds with outdoor rinks. It brings you back to your roots and for them to do that and have those rinks, it just brings the community together and it brings people playing hockey together. I think it’s really great for the community.”
There will be 90-minute public skating sessions and both ponds with general admission tickets available starting at $20. Guests will be able to rent ice skates and there will be lockers to store personal belongings. Islanders season ticket holders, first responders and military personnel will get a 25% discount.
Playing hockey outdoors is something special for so many people throughout North America. The love for it certainly was captured in the movie “Mystery, Alaska” and the NHL has done a great job of bringing the sport back to its root with the outdoor games. And now, the Islanders are teaming with some great entities to bring that fun and excitement to the Long Island community.