When the Islanders take on the Rangers this Sunday in the Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series game at MetLife Stadium, 75,000 fans will gather to witness hockey going back to its roots in the great outdoors. At the end of the day, fans of both teams, will have memories that will last a lifetime from the amazing experience of seeing an outdoor NHL game.
But this game will have an even bigger and more important legacy.
On Tuesday, the Islanders held an event at UBS Arena before their game against the Seattle Kraken to announce a multi-year financial commitment to support various forms of adaptive hockey on Long Island. The Islanders, the Islanders Children's Foundation and the National Hockey League will provide funding to Special Olympics New York, Long Island Rough Riders sled hockey program and the Long Island Blues special hockey program.
"Often, we just think about financial support, but the fact that this also provides ice time for these organizations that is so very important because we know how expensive ice is," said Kim Davis, the NHL's Senior Executive Vice-President of Social Impact, Growth Initiatives and Legislative Affairs.
"The players mean everything and these are our fans and our future fans. To have legends here just shows the importance of continuing to give back to communities as part of what the ecosystems of hockey is all about."
Former Islanders players John Tonelli and Thomas Hickey were on hand for the event as the NHL and their clubs continue their commitment to make sure that hockey is made accessible to all of their fans by reducing barriers.
For these three organizations, the support from the Islanders and the NHL will go a long way.
Special Olympics New York was founded in 1970 and provides free year-round training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
The Long Island Rough Riders use sled hockey to promote sportsmanship, teamwork and camaraderie among physically and/or mentally challenged athletes.
The Long Island Blues special hockey team is dedicated to children and adults with disabilities.
It should not be a surprise that the Islanders are part of this initiative as they have always been heavily involved and committed to the Long Island community.
"The Islanders are a community trust," said Islanders Co-Owner Jon Ledecky. "Our focus is on community and the Islanders are a fabric of the Long Island community as are these three organizations. They're changing the lives of people and their giving them opportunities by playing hockey, whether it's floorball or ice hockey, they're giving them a chance to be successful.
For these organizations, the money is so important but so is the access to ice time that the Rough Riders and Blues will receive at Northwell Health Ice Center and The Park at UBS Arena for practices and games as well as the opportunity to have floorball games at the Grand Hall at UBS Arena.
"I's just great to be able to give them these opportunities," said Ledecky. "I think the NHL deserves some kudos for tying the Stadium Series to community."
The Islanders have been an important part of the Long Island community since their inception of 1972, but when the current ownership group, led by Ledecky and Scott Malkin, took over majority control of the franchise in 2016, the level of commitment skyrocketed.
And that commitment also led to a re-connection with Islanders alumni including John Tonelli, who will always be remembered for sending the pass to Bobby Nystrom for the overtime goal that brought the first Stanley Cup to Long Island in 1980.
"I'm very lucky to know Jon Ledecky," said Tonelli. "He has just been very special from day one since he took over the team. It's been nothing but community first and the Islander fan first. It's just great to be part of that because back in my days when we played, our team had so much respect for the Islander fan and for their support."
A big part of that commitment to the community comes from Ann Rina, the Islanders' Executive Director of Community Relations.
"That's all she does is figure out a way how can we help the community?" said Tonelli. "How can we get the community involved? How can we reward the community for being loyal to us?"
On Sunday, there will be a winner in the Stadium Series game and that winner will gain two valuable points in the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference standings. But while the Islanders and Rangers renew their storied rivalry outdoors in a football stadium with a massive crowd watching, keep in mind who the real lasting winners of the day will be.
The legacy of this game will be the children and adults who will benefit from a valuable commitment from the Islanders and the National Hockey League.
