THE ISLANDERS HOCKEY ACADEMY: 516.501.6764
Sell tix, get equipment, icetime and instruction
For information on this youth hockey outreach, to sign up for the next session or to become a sponsor, email michelle.winter@newyorkislanders.com or call 516.501.6764
I wrote about the Islanders Hockey Academy, a very innovative, family-friendly Islanders youth hockey initiative all the way back in March when this blog was getting its legs. I feel strongly it deserves another round of promotion.
The Islanders Hockey Academy is a creative, progressive program by the Islanders that gives children ages 6-14 their first exposure to the game of ice hockey.
Here are the basics of the deal…
You pay by selling discounted Islanders tickets.
In the Islanders’ version of Girl Scout Cookies, you are asked to sell 25 vouchers for Islanders tickets at $25 each. Considering each $25 voucher gets you the equivalent of one $60 ticket, that’s not just a reasonable commitment, that’s a great deal for the people buying from your very own Hub of Stubs. (Applicable games are weeknight games not against the Rangers).
Your child receives instruction and equipment.
Your youth hockey player gets six weekly, one-hour ice hockey sessions focused on fundamentals. But of equal importance and even greater value, you receive a complete set of hockey equipment: Skates, helmet, jersey, socks, pants, stick, all pads (elbow, shin and shoulder)
Full disclosure: Luke Botta, 8-year old son of this blogger, was a participant last spring. His equipment was Islanders-branded and top-notch. I would estimate the brand-new equipment he received from the Islanders Spring Hockey League as valued at $400 minimum. That’s if you shopped really hard and were friends with the guys at Play It Again Sports.
Add on the value of the icetime and instruction – I’d put that at an additional $300 easily for the six hours – and that’s a darn good deal for selling 25 discounted hockey tickets. At some of the sessions last spring, an Islanders coach or player made a surprise visit.
By introducing kids to the game and putting more fans in the seats – and perhaps winning new ones – the Islanders have devised a youth hockey outreach that is generous and smart. That’s good community relations and marketing. Everyone, especially the children, benefits.
If you are interested in signing up your childing for the next session in the spring, contact my former colleague Michelle at the email address below. A percentage of the tickets sold goes to underwrite and expand the program and services for next season. If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor of the program, send a note to Michelle.
If you are new to the youth hockey game, as the parent of a player I can tell you I’m not aware of a better deal in New York than this.
For information on this Islanders youth hockey outreach, sign up for the next session or become a sponsor, contact Michelle Winter at michelle.winter@newyorkislanders.com or call 516.501.6764.
Share your interest and feedback on the Islanders youth hockey program in this thread.
16 Responses to THE ISLANDERS HOCKEY ACADEMY: 516.501.6764
Sell tix, get equipment, icetime and instruction
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admin says:
Oh, baby…I hope Deadspin or Puck Daddy didn’t see that one. I’m not sure spell check would have caught it. Typo of the year. Thanks to all my proof-readers…CB
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Larry says:
My daughter did this last year and had a great time and I agree the equipment was all top notch.
Since the ticket vouchers were mentioned; in addition to this program, there are many hockey organizations on the island selling these vouchers for fund raisers.
Some are the same $25 vouchers, others are for $40 which will give you better seats and are good for weekend games (still no Ranger games).
If you are looking for good deals on seats, this is one of the best ways to get them and you will be helping out kids who want to play.
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Daniel says:
This is really an amazing program. Hockey is so expensive, and in these times it is really nice to see the organization give back, and get some young new players into the game.
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Brian from Massapequa says:
I was just about to email you about the typo CB, but I refreshed and saw that it was fixed. It was very funny though.
Also thought I should mention two things for clarification.
1) If you pick one of the “value” games on the schedule, you are guaranteed lower bowl seats as the cheapest ticket at the $60 or above threshold is the Lower VIP End Zone. (I used a couple of my sons vouchers for the Capitals game on Tuesday 1/26 and got Section 109X, Row C which is four frickin rows from the ice)
2) The game on the day after Thanksgiving (only Friday home game on the schedule) is not part of the program.
Great program and well worth it if there is a child in your life interested in ice hockey.
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kurvers28 says:
I can’t wait for all these kids to grow up, win the Hobey Baker, and sign with the Rangers
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isles08025 says:
wish i lived up there, my son could use new shin and elbow pads!
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Chris Mc says:
Its a great idea to get some of these kids on Long Island thinking more about making the NHL than the other pro sports. I wouldve loved this if they had it when I was younger.
Oh and Happy Birthday CB.
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Ethan K says:
Aww I wanna be a kid again now!
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Jim Clark says: All you need is Don Cherry and his son watching these games.
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
WOW CB!! That is an awesome idea / offer.
Although it’s a modest amount of ice time, but great for indroduction to the game … the value is outstanding. The gear alone as you mentioned is somewhere north of $400. Skates??? That is what impresses me the most … I bought my nephew skates when he was 5 and that was over $125 bucks easily. Forget about the rest of the gear.
A 14 year old usually wears adult skates … and I’m sure that a beginner doesn’t get a $400 dollar pair of skates … but even modest adult skates are close to $150 bucks.
I think the NHL should take a cue from the Isles and expand this by having kids sell the game in areas that need grass roots fan growth.
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JohnnyC. says:
Hey Chris I wrote you about this on the side a couple of weeks ago. My son is part of the fall program right now and loves it. Granted he is one of the youngest he is keeping up. I have 10 more vouchers left anyone interested?
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Jethro09 says:
That program sounds absolutely great. Excellent idea. If I had kids, I’d definitely participate in this program. But I haven’t heard of it until today. The team should do more to promote this.
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Matt says:
what a great way to help youth hockey on Long Island. i would like to see this program continue for a long time.
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NY711ot says:
Wouldn’t it be great if the Isles would expand the program throughout the tristate area. The rankers love to come up to westchester…The Devils own jersey….but noone is coming to us in rockland county where we have two nice facilities and a booming hockey program…
Can not wait for my kids to be a little older and take advantage of this great offer.