The Brooklyn Islanders are kicking off their initial year as the borough’s National Hockey League team by launching a robust community platform to give thousands of Brooklyn youngsters the opportunity to attend games at the team’s new home at Barclays Center, as well as to offer a free program to learn to play the game of hockey.
Led by a partnership with Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, the Islanders are implementing the Borough President’s Community Pass program, through which the Borough President’s office will distribute vouchers for $10 tickets to each game to community groups in Brooklyn to offer kids the chance to attend Islanders games.
“The Islanders are Brooklyn’s newest home team, and everyone should get a chance to see them and appreciate the game of hockey in person! The first time I went to an NHL game, watching the action on the rink and feeling the energy in the crowd, I was hooked on the experience,” said Adams.
“Hockey can open doors for our youngest Brooklynites, adding another dimension to the sports scene that is an important part of life in our borough. I am proud that the Borough President’s Community Pass, a program that represents true corporate citizenship, will open the doors of Barclays Center to residents that may otherwise not get the chance to see the Isles,” he added.
In addition, the team is introducing CityParks Street Hockey presented by the New York Islanders, a free six-week instructional program with City Parks Foundation which teaches basic hockey knowledge and skills to children ages 8-12.
The program will be held at three Brooklyn parks: Sunset Park in Greenwood Heights, St. John’s Park in Crown Heights, and John J. Carty Park in Bay Ridge. On a weekly basis, each location will host two, one hour classes accommodating up to 20 participants per session.
The first session took place yesterday at Sunset Park. The program will culminate with an appearance from a current Islanders player, who will help teach kids the fundamentals of the sport.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the New York Islanders and Barclays Center to bring the game of street hockey to kids throughout Brooklyn,” said Heather Lubov, Executive Director of City Parks Foundation. “Creating new opportunities for kids to learn the skills of the game and have fun in their neighborhood parks is a great way to welcome the team to the borough.”
“Growing the sport of hockey is something that as an NHL player we all take pride in doing,” said Islanders assistant captain, Kyle Okposo. “I still remember those great moments as a kid getting the chance to go skating with my friends on the ponds in Minnesota. I’m happy to hear of these new programs in Brooklyn and look forward to all the young kids learning the game and becoming part of our passionate fan base.”
“I’d like to thank Borough President Eric Adams and the City Parks Foundation for joining with us to help young Brooklynites engage with the sport of hockey in local parks and also experience Islanders games atBarclays Center,” said Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark. “As we welcome the Islanders to Brooklyn, we remain committed to making a positive impact on our community by emphasizing diversity and education.”
For more information and instructions on how to sign up for the street hockey program, visit http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/sports/street-hockey/.
