Three Lucky Long Island Dads Win 'Ultimate Hockey Dad'

The New York Islanders Ultimate Hockey Dad program, presented by CardWorks Acquiring, allowed fans to submit a summary as to why their dad is the "Ultimate Hockey Dad." While there are too many great hockey dads to count, three winners were chosen, and they each received a special visit from Sparky the Dragon at their homes on Tuesday.
Sparky made his first stop in Long Beach to meet Barry Richter and his family. Barry's son, Brett Richter, nominated his father for the contest, highlighting how he supported him at his roller hockey games growing up and made the Islanders an integral part of their relationship.

"I wanted to honor my father for all his dedication to being an awesome parent and father," Brett said. "The sacrifice he made to make sure that he took me to as many [Islanders] games as I could go to and enjoy and love the game of hockey, and just be involved with the New York Hockey Club, meant the world to me."
Barry took Brett to Islanders games throughout Brett's childhood, often picking his son up in Brooklyn, going to games at the Coliseum and dropping him off in Brooklyn before driving back to Long Island. They'd wait outside the Coliseum for autographs, eventually becoming season ticket holders for many years and their love for the team has been passed down to the next generation. Brett now has two children of his own, describing his son as a "diehard Islanders fan."

Sparky's next stop was in South Setauket, where he met Ron Middleton. A Navy veteran in Vietnam, he became a physical education teacher at Unqua Elementary School in Massapequa. During his time at Unqua, Middleton organized annual field trips to Islanders games for the sixth graders he taught. He's an original Islanders season ticket holder from 1972 through the early 90s, and he even witnessed Bob Nystrom's legendary Stanley Cup winning goal in 1980.
His son Ryan Middleton nominated him for the contest. Ryan explained how his dad raised him to be an Islanders fan from a very young age, and they have countless memories of attending games together at Nassau Coliseum.
"He's a great dad, and hockey's been a part of his life for many, many years, and it's great to see him get rewarded finally," said Ryan.

Sparky's last stop of the day was in Holtsville where he met Bill Fitzpatrick, his wife Dana, and his daughter Elizabeth. Elizabeth nominated her dad not only because he's an Islanders fan, but because he's her biggest fan too. Elizabeth explained how her dad goes to all of her hockey games to cheer her on, and practices with her in the driveway frequently.
"This was certainly a surprise, and it really means a lot to me," Bill Fitzpatrick said.
The common theme at all three stops was a love for hockey and family. Each Ultimate Hockey Dad was gifted with tickets to an Islanders game and a prize pack containing Islanders merchandise. They were never doing it for a prize pack, but after years of supporting their kids and fostering a love for the game, a little recognition was well-deserved and well appreciated.