New York Islanders prove there is more to life than sports (Video)
NYISE thanks the #NYIslanders for being such great hosts to our middle schools today. Memories4Ever pic.twitter.com/F1pdQGg2St
— NYISE (@nyise999) November 17, 2016
John Tavares, Travis Hamonic, and the rest of the New York Islanders proved why hockey players are the best humans away from competition.
It’s hard to believe, but some things are bigger than sports.[sc name=”Islanders Center Right” ]
As we reflect on a mediocre start to the 2016-17 season, it’s important that we acknowledge these things. One of them transpired on Thursday when a handful of maligned New York Islanders players partook in a special skate with visually impaired children.
Elliotte Friedman aptly surmised the event: “This is outstanding.”
Fans were equally impressed, with people remarking that “compassion and decency is not dead” and that this was a “classy… initiative.”
It’s nearly impossible to encapsulate the sheer joy on the faces of these children, so here are a bunch of photos and videos to do the event justice:
🙂🙂🙂 @91Tavares #IslesCommunity pic.twitter.com/f4QjrJld6f
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) November 17, 2016
.@ledpipe08 and his skating buddy are flying out there! ⛸⛸ #IslesCommunity pic.twitter.com/i23aOoF7Dt
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) November 17, 2016
Bails and Brady became fast friends today. 😊 They're the last ones to leave the ice. #IslesCommunity pic.twitter.com/S89HoincKu
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) November 17, 2016
Seeing those smiles. This is what it's all about. #IslesCommunity pic.twitter.com/ECwPwgzAfV
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) November 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/scottmayfield2/status/799378797279772672?s=09
Great job skating with @zeeker11! ⛸🏒 #IslesCommunity pic.twitter.com/wFdSoYViKu
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) November 17, 2016
Hammer's skating buddy is a fast learner! #IslesCommunity pic.twitter.com/r173fid0Nk
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) November 17, 2016
The next time the Isles hit the ice for real, in an NHL setting, will come on Friday night as they’ll welcome in Sidney Crosby and the high-powered Pittsburgh Penguins. First puck drop comes your way at 7 p.m. ET from the Barclays Center.
[sc name=”Islanders Link Next” link=”elitesportsny.com/2016/11/17/new-york-islanders-wheres-anders-lee/” text=”Where’s Anders Lee?” ]
Justin Weiss is a staff editor at Elite Sports New York, where he covers the New York Islanders and Brooklyn Cyclones. In 2016, he received a Quill Award for Freelance Journalism. He has written for the Long Island Herald, FanSided and YardBarker.
