Islanders program hopes to get kids on the ice with $30K donation to Brooklyn youth

Hockey may not be as mainstream as football and baseball, but a New York Islanders program hopes to change that with a donation to Madison Square Boys & Girls Club in Brooklyn.

Islanders Sticks & Skates on Wednesday donated $30,000 in CCM Hockey equipment to the youth organization with the help of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment and Isles legend, Pat LaFontaine.

“I couldn’t be more excited for the kids at Madison to receive this donation from CCM,” LaFontaine said. “I remember the first pair of skates I ever got, and to see these kids have that same opportunity is really special.”

More than 100 kids were on hand when the equipment was presented.

“This donation will continue to strengthen our hockey program and will help develop the next generation of local hockey players,” clubhouse director Stanley King said.

Through Islanders Sticks & Skates, which is sponsored by the Hospital for Special Surgery, the community can skate at Lakeside Ice Skating Rink in Prospect Park for free on Mondays, from 4-5:30 p.m. There are also free clinics for players and coaches.

The Madison Square Boys & Girls Club was founded in 1884. LaFontaine played for the Islanders from 1983-1991 and was recently named one of the “100 Greatest NHL Players” by the league.