Newbridge Arena Youngsters Take to Coliseum Ice

In furthering the New York Islanders commitment to growing hockey in the community, the team hosted its fifth annual Islanders Jamboree on Sunday at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The day-long event matched up youth hockey teams in cross-ice games on the Coliseum ice from noon until 5 p.m.

Long Island’s only major recreational ice hockey tournament featured more than 40 house league teams from 12 different rinks throughout Long Island and Westchester County. The various ice hockey rinks that participated were:

• Newbridge Arena in Bellmore
• The Rinx in Hauppauge
• Superior Ice Rink in Kings Park
• Cantiague Park in Hicksville
• Islanders Iceworks in Syosset
• Andrew Stergiopoulos Ice Rink at Parkwood Sports Complex in Great Neck
• Port Washington Skating Center
• Iceland in New Hyde Park
• Freeport Arrows Youth Hockey
• Ice Arena in Long Beach
• Aviator Sports in Brooklyn
• Westchester Mariners Hockey Program

More than 500 mini-mites (ages 4-6) and mites (ages 7-8) participated in 10-minute games throughout the afternoon with the enforcement of USA Hockey standards throughout all games. 

“We are extremely excited to continue in the effort to grow the sport of hockey by having numerous youth hockey players skate in the Jamboree,” Islanders Vice President of Operations Tim Beach said. “Every year participation in this event increases, which shows the commitment that all Long Islanders have towards expanding upon the numerous youth hockey grassroots programs offered in the area.”

Over the past 15 years Long Island has produced nine National Hockey League players, including Matt Gilroy (Bellmore), Chris Higgins (Smithtown), Mike Komisarek (West Islip) and Rob Scuderi (Syosset).