It’s one of those “circle the date on your calendar” nights when the Islanders release their promotional and theme night schedule every season. It’s Military Appreciation Night and it takes place on Friday night at UBS Arena when the Islanders host the Minnesota Wild. The evening is filled with special elements and that stretches from pre-game all the way to a season-long promotion.
Before the game, the Islanders players will wear military jerseys on their way into the arena. As fans arrive on the Belmont Park campus for the game, they will see military vehicles on the plaza and inside the building there will be 50-50 raffle tickets on sale with proceeds going to non-profit organizations New Ground, Long Island Warriors and United Heroes League.
“It’s so great for United Heroes League to be involved with the Islanders for Military Appreciation Night,” said Shane Hudella, the President and Founder of United Heroes League. “They do a fantastic job honoring the men and women who serve our country and who served our country in the past.”
In 2009, Hudella founded the organization as “Defending The Blue Line”, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to help military families with the high costs of hockey and to ensure that children of military members are afforded every opportunity to participate in the sport that they love. The organization rebranded in 2016 as “United Heroes League”.
He's excited to be working with the Islanders as part of this night.
“It's important for our mission and fundraising,” said Hudella. “It helps provide grants to military kids and veterans for hockey equipment.”
The first 10,000 fans to enter the building for the game will receive an Islanders Military hat.
Just before the game, the color guard will be presented by Veterans of Foreign War while the National Anthem will be sung by a military performer. Islanders Captain Anders Lee and Minnesota Wild Captain Jared Spurgeon will then face-off in a ceremonial puck drop conducted by U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Scott Laczynski.
The special events continue during the first period with an arena-wide placard moment in recognition of military members in the arena. There will be the inclusion of the family of Lt. Michael Murphy who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism during Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan on June 29th, 2005. He was the first person to receive the Medal of Honor following the September 11th attacks.
During the second period, the Islanders will recognize U.S. Marines Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Green who will be the Military Hero of the Game. He is a Vietnam Veteran who narrowly escaped his helicopter being shot down and the entire crew was able to make it to safety before the helicopter exploded.
During the intermissions, there will be recognition of Lt. Michael Murphy’s family following a special video narrated by actor Liam Neeson. The family will be presented with a custom Islanders jersey honoring Lt. Murphy. Also, there will be a video for Kyle Palmieri’s Squad 21.
The Islanders will also have a special season long Military discount ticket offer with veterans identified thru ID.me. The link to that offer is here.
Throughout the night, military jerseys along with a camo hoodie, custom hoodie and several licensed military hats will be sold in the Isles Lab team store. The Isles Lab will have a season-long 15 percent discount for military and first responders. An auction will take place on the concourse with the winner getting two tickets to and Islanders game in addition to a Military Appreciation Night jersey. There will also be a Mystery Military Puck fundraiser.
Hudella has been part of this night in the past when the Islanders played at Nassau Coliseum and Barclays Center, but this will be his first time at UBS Arena.
“I’m super-excited,” said Hudella. “I’m from Minnesota so it’s cool that the Islanders are playing the Minnesota Wild and I’m excited to see the rink. I’m super-thankful to the Islanders for including us yet again.”
Military Appreciation Night is always a special evening in Islanders Country and this year should be no exception.