Islanders and Rangers Host Second Annual Alumni Classic

The New York Islanders capped off Alumni Weekend with an exhibition game against New York Rangers alumni on Sunday afternoon, presented by Northwell Health.
The Islanders alumni beat the Rangers squad 11-9, but the meaning of the game went far beyond the historic rivalry between the two teams. New York hockey legends had the chance to reunite and meet passionate fans, while doing it for good cause, as the event raised $50,000 for the Northwell Health Foundation. Net proceeds from the mystery pucks, patches and silent auction also went to Northwell in support of the foundation's behavioral health initiative.
"Being here and raising money for charity is awesome," Pierre Turgeon said. "We love being part of it for sure. It's great to see the guys, it's great to see the fans, all for a great cause."

Turgeon played with the Islanders for parts of four seasons in the early 90s, and was one of over 60 alumni returning to Long Island for this year's Alumni Weekend. Former players spanning five decades took part in a weekend full of events to reconnect with old teammates and make new memories in an annual tradition for the Islanders organization.
"It's great to reunite the guys together. It's rare that you run into them, we're all a little bit spread out," Benoit Hogue said. "When you get to see them, it's a lot of fun. We still tell stories from back in the day."
"It's always good to come back and hang out with the boys," Darius Kasparaitis said. "A lot of guys are getting older but when you go to the locker room, put on your hockey gear on, you become a child again."
Sunday's Islanders-Rangers exhibition game was an out-of-character rivalry matchup, with both teams aiming to have fun for a good cause instead of focusing on their traditional intense rivalry. Kasparaitis played for both teams in his career, drafted by the Islanders in 1992 and playing with the team until the beginning of the 1996-97 season. Despite ending his career with four seasons with the Rangers, Kasparaitis has a special connection to Long Island.
"The Islanders were my first team," Kasparaitis said. "It's always nice to come back to Long Island, I was here for a long time, it meant a lot to me in my life. The fans are so passionate and supportive of this team."
Islanders fans flooded Northwell Health Ice Center on Sunday to see their childhood heroes hit the ice.
"I'm here to see Turgeon, he was huge during the years I was growing up," said Tom VanBrunt from Wantagh. "He had a big influence on me liking the sport back then."
VanBrunt passed down his passion for the Islanders to his eight-year-old son, teaching him about hockey and Islanders history, bringing him to the event today.
"He was born into the blue and orange, he knows that's what he bleeds," VanBrunt said. "He knows a lot about the Islanders history, even going back to the Cup days."
Johnny Boychuck was - and still is - a fan-favorite, drawing many fans who were excited to see him on the ice again, retiring after six seasons with the Islanders.
"I was at Boychuck's last game," Melissa from East Meadow recalled. "Being at his first game back in an Islander uniform again is something that comes full circle. I'm so excited to see him."

The Islanders have hosted the Alumni Classic at Northwell Health Ice Center for two years straight, recording a sellout crowd of 1,500 in both excursions.
"[For fans] to be able to remember the players they've watched over the years, watch them playing today in person, it's an incredibly exciting time," said Michael Dowling, CEO of Northwell Health. "They're here to see good people, good organizations, doing good things for the benefit of the whole."
The Islanders are celebrating their 50th anniversary season, as this year's Alumni Weekend had special meaning for the organization.
"50 years. That's amazing," Turgeon said. "You wouldn't think that many years ago... when I played here in the early 90s that we would be here today."
"It shows the longevity of the organization and what it has contributed to the community over 50 years," Dowling said of the Islanders history. "Kudos to all the players who contributed and made a difference."