New York Islanders staff and players, including defensemen Scott Mayfield and Ryan Pulock and center Kyle MacLean, faced off against students from the Henry Viscardi School in a competitive game of wheelchair hockey at The Viscardi Center. Henry Viscardi School educates children with severe physical disabilities, many of whom require life-sustaining medical treatment and extensive support throughout the day.
The Islanders were off to a fast start when Scott Mayfield scored the first goal of the game in the opening minutes. The teams closely battled it out over three periods of play.
Reflecting during one of the periods of play, Ryan Pulock shared, “I don’t think they’re going easy. I think they’re going hard. It’s been pretty back and forth. I feel like we had a bit of a lead, then they came back, and we’ve been chasing the game. So, it’s gonna be a crazy finish.”
Viscardi led 9 to 8 with less than two minutes left in the game when the Isles rallied back to tie things up. Cheered on by classmates, with less than 10 seconds left in the third period, senior Angel scored with a game winning shot! The game ended with a final score of Viscardi 10, Islanders 9.
“Yeah, it’s cool to be here. It’s tough out there. It’s not an easy sport, so it’s cool to see what, you know, these kids can do, and it’s been great meeting all of them,” said Kyle MacLean, a first-timer to Henry Viscardi School.
Following the traditional end of game handshake and the presentation of the trophy by Henry Viscardi School alumnus Todd Decker, the Islanders signed autographs (even a sneaker), passed out branded caps and posed for photos.
The Viscardi Center and New York Islanders relationship goes back over 40 years when the team’s players, along with professional athletes from a wide variety of sports, first began attending the Center’s annual signature fundraiser, Celebrity Night. Stanley Cup Champions Clark Gillies and Bobby Nystrom were regular guests. Over the years, the Islanders have hosted students from the Henry Viscardi School at home games and players have participated in wheelchair hockey sessions providing them with a first-hand adapted sports experience.
“Anything we can do to bring a smile to the kids’ faces and, you know, give back a little bit and bring awareness to what they can do, is pretty special,” said Scott Mayfield, who has attended Celebrity Night on several occasions. “It’s pretty tough out there… and it’s pretty cool to see firsthand.”
“This event is all about inclusion, community and giving back,” said Angelo Zegarelli, Superintendent of Henry Viscardi School. “Through our long-standing relationship with the Islanders, the students know their stories and achievements should be celebrated and it empowers them for the next step of their lives. Partnerships with local organizations such as the Islanders breakdown barriers.”
About Henry Viscardi School
Founded in 1962, Henry Viscardi School at The Viscardi Center is an alternative, accessible traditional educational choice for parents and a resource to school districts that cannot accommodate the academic, health and assistive technology needs of children with severe orthopedic disabilities, many of whom require life-sustaining medical treatment and extensive support throughout the day and may otherwise need to receive instruction in their homes or a hospital setting. Located in Albertson, New York, it serves children (Pre-K to age 21) with physical disabilities who are referred from school districts in the New York metropolitan area, including those in Long Island, Westchester, and all five boroughs of New York City. A teaching community dedicated to empowering students through personal growth and leadership development, the Henry Viscardi School offers a combination of rigorous academics at a variety of levels, social emotional learning, vocational training, transition planning and robust cultural enrichment that enables them to be active, independent, self-sufficient participants in society. Learn more at HenryViscardiSchool.org
About The Viscardi Center
The Viscardi Center, a network of non-profit organizations, provides a lifespan of services that educate, employ, and empower people with disabilities. Its programs and services include Pre-K through High School education (to age 21), school-to-work transition services, vocational training and job placement, digital accessibility services, entrepreneurship, and workforce diversification assistance to children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities and businesses.