Islanders Floorball Update - Winter 3 Update
Long Beach High School, Long Beach, Thursday, March 7, 2019

Ninth grade students at Long Beach High School continued with their segment of the Islanders Floorball today. Class began with a warm-up of stretches, high knees and sprints to prepare for the period of physical activity. The group was split into two teams before having a quick review of basic stick handling, passing, and shooting skills. The two teams then faced off in a competitive game where they were challenged to practice their offensive and defensive strategies. Physical education teachers even got in on the action!

Islanders Floorball Update - Winter 3 Update
JFK High School, Plainview, Monday, March 4, 2019

Despite shortened periods due to snow, JFK High School freshman managed to squeeze in some time for Islanders Floorball during gym class today. Today's class focused on a drill that incorporated passing, shooting, and communication skills. Starting on the goaline, students ran up to center court to curl around a cone and cut back towards the net. When cutting back they received a long pass from the opposite side of the goaline to then shoot on goal. Students were challenged to shoot as soon as they received the pass to build their quick-release skills. The drill was then altered by putting another offensive player on a lower faceoff circle and having the two players exchange a give-and-go to encourage movement with and without the ball. Students are excited to build their skills and begin game play soon!

Radar had a teammate with him on Monday night, as Sunny, the TODAY Puppy, joined him for the Islanders 2-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.  

Radar, the Islanders Puppy with a Purpose showed Sunny around NYCB Live (Nassau Coliseum) before puck drop and got him squared away with some Isles gear. The pair even received official credentials for the game and held a press conference inside the Coliseum. 

The Long Island Rough Riders represented the New York Islanders at USA Hockey's Sled Hockey Classic on Feb. 8-10 in Chicago. While the Rough Riders did not win their tier's tournament, all players showed grit, determination and a love for hockey, as well as the Islanders. See below for pictures from the event. 

Click here to learn more about the Long Island Rough Riders. 

Islanders Floorball Update - Winter 2 Update
PS 92 Brooklyn, Thursday, February 7, 2019

The Winter 2 session of Islanders Floorball continues at PS 92K Brooklyn. Class began with a review of safety rules and how to properly hold the stick before moving on to drills and games that focused on ball control and speed. First, the game "Red light, Green light" was played in which students had to listen to cues by physical education teacher, Tyana Hale, in order to move across the gym. "It's not a race," instructed Hale, "make sure you are under control." Students were challenged with listening to the correct cues in order to move forward. Those who did not control their ball on the "Red Light" cue had to start from the beginning. Next, the class played "First to Eight Relay Race" where students were tasked with collecting balls into their team's hula hoops from a larger pool. "A low athletic position! When stick handling instead of dragging and sweeping use both sides of the stick to move the ball forward," coached Hale. Students are excited to wrap up skills and get into game-play.

Radar's been a busy guy over the past little while, squeezing in some training at the Guide Dog Foundation between Islanders games. Check out this good boy's training from last week and make sure to follow Radar via @NYIslanders and on the Islanders Puppy with a Purpose page!

Click here to learn more about the Guide Dog Foundation.

Smile Train was one of the causes nearest to Charles B. Wang's heart and the New York Islanders are proud to continue his legacy of repairing clefts for underprivileged children around the world. 

Smile Train is dedicated to providing cleft repair surgery to children around the world and have made a difference in thousands of kids lives around the globe. The proof is in their smile and this simple surgery helps improve eating, breathing, speaking and helps lift children out of isolation. 

Islanders Floorball Update - Winter 1 Update
PS 178 Holliswood, Monday, January 28, 2019

Winter 1 session of Islanders Floorball rolls on at PS 178 Holliswood with Ms. Sadowski's 7th grade class. The class continued their unit today with two-game elimination tournament play. During play, Ms. Sadowski reminded players of skills learned throughout the start of the unit. This included being aggressive in the offense attack. "You can't score if you don't shoot," coaches Ms. Sadowski. Students were also encouraged to focus on maintaining possession of the ball by taking a few dribbles before immediately sending it down court. The class wrapped with a sportsmanship line where handshakes were exchanged between teams. This 7th grade class is excited to crown a tournament champion soon!