Ledecky Surprises Islanders Fans at Home with Playoff Gear

The Chliek family cares deeply about the Islanders - and on Saturday afternoon, they found out how much the team cares about them.
Jon Ledecky stopped by the Chliek household in North Massapequa, visiting with seven-year-old Ryan, his three-year-old sister Kaitlyn and their mom, Mary Beth. The Islanders' Co-Owner came with friends, bringing Sparky the Dragon, as well as a boatload of swag: jerseys, car flags, t-shirts and more.

Mary Beth called it a moment of joy, which is needed as the Chliek's are still grieving after a family tragedy. Matt Chliek, husband and father of two, passed away in June at age 39 after a battle with brain cancer. He was a die-hard Islanders fan and at one point worked in ticketing for the team. He's passed his fandom along to his kids, who were outfitted in jerseys and hats when Ledecky and co. arrived.
For Mary Beth, Ryan and Kaitlyn, watching the Islanders' playoff run together has been both a welcome distraction and a small solace during a tough time. It also feels like a way to preserve Matt's memory by continuing to root for the team he loved.
"The team has been so supportive. It's been a really tough year for us. We've been through a lot," Mary Beth said. "Having the Islanders support us and having the Islanders back has helped our family cope with it. Just being able to watch the team play, talk about it, talk about what dad loved to do and how much he loved the Islanders has helped us really with our grief."
So it was a touching scene when Sparky gave a big hug to Ryan and Kaitlyn, delivering some balloons and lighting up their eyes - the best way to discern a smile during these masked times.

"We've seen Sparky at numerous events, but just having him here to hug and touch, the kids are so excited," Mary Beth said. "Just pure joy and we need such joy in our lives right now. It's so nice, such a wonderful surprise."
That was one of six stops Ledecky made on Saturday, spreading joy to fans who could use an extra pick-me-up, while the team plays the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference Final.
"We're spreading the joy of the Islanders great playoff run with fans who have overcome challenges and every day of their life are working towards getting healthier, better and safer and we're so excited to be a part of the community," Ledecky said.
After visiting with the Chliek's, Ledecky visited with Maier family, who were the envy of the neighborhood when Ledecky rolled up at their Massapequa home. Already outfitted in official Islanders t-shirts and hats, the Maier's - Laura, Jeff and their three boys, Brayden, Ryan and Mason - had customized face coverings made, which is a good way to summarize their fandom.
Mason is the reason for the visit, as the four-year-old was diagnosed with Leukemia last August, a fight no child should have to go through. His family calls him "Mighty Mason" for his fight against cancer and it was a role reversal when the team owner told him that the Islanders were rooting for him.
"This is a memory he'll remember forever," Laura said. "He's now four, the last year has been really challenging, there's been a lot of time in hospitals and not really able to go out in public. So the fact that everyone is coming here. He's seen Sparky on the TV, he's seen the Islanders and now they're on our front lawn, it's just such an amazing experience."

Of course, an Islanders caravan and a six-foot orange and blue dragon attracted some attention on the quiet streets of Massapequa. Neighbors poked out of their houses, while cars that drive by gave Ledecky the "Let's Go Islanders!" honk, music to the owner's ears.
"The Islanders are a community treasure and the fans are our onus," Ledecky said. "To be out here with them sharing this great run, sharing the love they have for the team, all the horns honking and neighbors waving and everything else as we spread some joy to these families in need is really terrific."
Ledecky's personal involvement gave the day a more personal feel. The families would have been happy just to get a box of swag, but for him to take the time to drive from Westbury, to Ronkonkoma meant something, especially to visit a wheelchair bound fan like Anthony Barbera, who was the first stop of the day. Everything is an effort for Barbera, who suffers from Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva - a rare bone disorder - so having the Isles come to him was a special gesture and a lasting memory.
That feeling is mutual, as Ledecky gets more out of the day than he puts in and loves to hear stories from fans. Take Elissa Mertz for example. While Ledecky was visiting with her son Adam, who has a neurological condition called Dystonia, Elissa told the story of promising to catch a puck for her oldest son at a game back in the late 1970s - and then following through, beating out five other eager fans.

Adam was just as excited to see Ledecky. The 38-year-old has overcome a lot of obstacles, including brain surgeries, and still plays goalie for the Long Island Roughriders a sled hockey team based.
"It's really cool that he came down to do this," Mertz said. "We're like one big family, this is all we've got on Long Island."
Ledecky's been a familiar face for some of the families, like the McCandless, whose 12-year-old daughter Kaelyn, is currently battling brain cancer. McCandless has attended team practices and has met with some of the players and her father Tommy is impressed when Anders Lee recognizes her and checks in on her condition.
"We've met them a bunch of times after games and every time they come out and look right at her and they say Kaelyn 'how are you? How are you doing?'" Tommy said. "Anders one time said 'you're so much bigger now,' so they're paying attention to her, which is real good."
Tommy, said he feels like he's a part of a family, as opposed to just being a fan.
The day wrapped up in Ronkonkoma, where Ledecky visited the DiStefano family, who founded the Dezy Strong organization. Matt "Dezy" DiStefano passed away after a brave battle with kidney cancer in January leaving behind a wife and three kids under the age of 10. Sparky surprised the kids by showing up on their doorstep and Ledecky passed out jerseys, flags and other merch.

Ledecky checked in on five-year-old Giovanni's hockey career, telling him that perhaps in a few years he'd be back with an Islanders contract. Giovanni's sisters were more excited to see Sparky, but that was more than fine by Ledecky, who just wanted the Islanders to spread a little cheer on Saturday.
"I get more out of the day than I put in," Ledecky said. "To learn about these kids and the stories of these families and what they've been going through and how they do it with promise and with hope and with cheer and resiliency for the future. Meeting these kids who are fighting such terrible things in their lives, but do it with a smile on their face and they sparkle when they see Sparky. They don't really know who I am and it doesn't matter, they just know that we care and that we love them."