Name of coach: Dana Seims
Name of program: Future Islanders program
About the coach: Dana grew up in Freeport, New York, and has lived and breathed hockey for as long as she can remember. Even as a child, she would spend hours in the library reading books about the game, learning more about the mechanical aspect of its movements (both skating and puck-handling). Growing up, Dana played travel hockey, often with the boys, and went on to play women's college hockey at Elmira College and men's ice hockey at CW Post. During her youth hockey days, her love for coaching was born as she often would volunteer her time at hockey camps and clinics, and it only grew from there. Now she calls Port Washington Skating Center her home, where she's a hockey coach and a skating instructor.
About the program: The Islanders have teamed up with the NHL to bring a new Learn to Play initiative to Long Island and Brooklyn. The Future Islanders program will provide kids ages 5-8 with Islanders branded equipment and eight on-ice sessions led by Islanders alumni.
The Future Islanders program is offered at local ice rinks and is limited to 600 total participants. The Learn to Play initiative is geared toward kids who have not already played in a house league or higher but have had some skating experience. This is an introduction to the great game of hockey for first-time players and a transition program to those leagues.
Donation meaning:This donation to the New York Islanders Learn to Play program would mean the world. The players that join our program throughout our market are the reason why hockey is growing on Long Island. This program continues the growth and makes the future fall in love with the game. The donation from Discover shows the impact that the Learn to Play program is making and we appreciate the support.
