FanPost

Is Hockey Really For Everyone: The Importance of Inclusion

The following was written about a month ago as an open letter to Mr. Ledecky and I'm adding a few subsequent points that have come up in recent weeks.

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Hi Mr. Ledecky,


My name is Vincent Piccolo, call me Vinny. I'm a proud Isles STH and diehard amongst other things.


First, let me say happy new year.


Secondly, let me thank you for securing the team I love's NHL future and a place at the table as a 'destination' NHL franchise. The work in Bridgeport that's about to get underway and the work you folks did at Eisenhower is as big a testament to this as Belmont. It is important to know the team we both care about will be a bedrock on the NY spots landscape for generations to come.

I became an Isles fan in 2000, when we were very bad and bereft of hope. Look it up! Our best prospect was Brad Isbister. Anyhow, fortunes can turn quickly and with a couple surprisingly shrewd trades and signings the team became a genuine contender before injuries closed that window painfully early. That said, this is the most promise the team has shown on the ice arguably since that time and the most stability off the ice they've ever had, in any iteration, including the fabled dynasty. I hope we make some noise this year, but at least there is upside, a welcome change.


I commend you for both of these things and ask you to remember one more thing as we make our way home to Long Island proper:


Inclusion.


No man is an Island. No team should be either. To paraphrase Billy Joel, there should be an Island for Islanders like us. Inclusion is important, and I'll get to what I mean, but understand I'm talking about inclusion in every facet. It's almost 'Hockey is For Everyone' month again. What does that mean? How do we make that a reality and not just a corporate slogan?


You own a team in the most diverse market in the country. Please don't turn your back on that diversity as we head back to the Island. One of the wonderful aspects of being in Brooklyn is how diverse the experience has become. People of all walks of life, orientations and backgrounds learning and enjoying the great game of hockey. Hockey on Long Island (and in a great many NHL markets) can be a bit of a mono-culture. Please keep that diversity alive we've seen grow in Brooklyn. I was proud to facilitate and help set up the first 2 Sound Tigers Pride / You Can Play nights, which were the first of their kind at the AHL level or in our organization. I love this team and feel all NYers should feel welcome, be they women, minorities or LGBT people such as myself. Please keep that avenue of inclusion open, hockey is everyone's game. Please don't lose our Pride night or distinct cultural nights. Diversity is important, particularly in a sport like hockey which can be hard for youths to access due to the tremendous financial outlay involved.


A suggestion towards that end of inclusion:

Invest in local rinks / recreation areas like the rival Rangers have done or NYCFC has done. The city and suburbs have a number of rinks that need some love. Build a few roller rinks. Grow the game. Run more free clinics in diverse areas of the City and Island. Kids fall in love with this game if it's affordable and accessible. Accessibility / Cost is what keeps people away from this game. Remove that socio-economic barrier and watch as the sport is further embraced by a myriad of cultures. Open rinks and good ones at that, and support youth hockey programs to facilitate that burgeoning love. You are a steward of this great game as well as the fanbase.

As another tangible means of inclusion and building that brand in the city: Please, in addition to the great work you've done in securing a shuttle from Penn Station and from Port Authority, please secure a shuttle from Atlantic Avenue... for your Brooklyn fans you've built, that way we Brooklynites aren't left behind.

As one of those Brooklyn fans who will have to give up my season tickets for the good of the franchise to have a permanent home (don't worry I'll still have my weekend plan), I've made my peace, but please don't abandon us. We love this team.


PS: get rid of the 'kiss cam', it's awful and makes both women and anyone who isn't straight horribly uncomfortable, but bring back the Chicken Dance full-time. That's ours and our birthright as people who know our 'storied original 6' enemy has won exactly one Stanley Cup since the invasion of Normandy.

Also, ban Goldie.

See you Saturday at You Can Play night!


Thank You for Your Time and Consideration,

Your Fan and Friend,

Vinny

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