The Islanders’ preseason doesn’t start until Sept. 21 at UBS Arena, but for captain Anders Lee, the unofficial kickoff comes a week earlier — and it’s all for a good cause.
On Saturday, Sept. 13, Lee is hosting his annual Anders Lee Kancer Jam at the Northwell Ice Center at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, the team’s practice facility.
“It’s fun to do that as a team,” Lee said. “It’s a fun little way to kick things off before we get into camp, get the boys together and do some good in the community.”
The afternoon fundraiser runs from 12:30 to 4 p.m. and features KanJam, the popular frisbee-toss game, played on the rink’s outdoor surface. Proceeds go to families on Long Island who are fighting cancer.
“It’s great,” Lee said. “It’s a fun way to kick off the season, to get all the boys together and hang out with some kids and some families and enjoy an afternoon to help take their minds off the battle that they’re going through … and put some smiles on some faces.”
How it started
The Jam Kancer in the Kan Foundation began in a New Jersey backyard in 2014 and has since expanded nationwide. Lee became a Jambassador in 2016 and has helped raise more than $3.2 million through events like Kancer Jam.
“It’s grown so much,” said Lee. “To kind of have it become a little bit of a tradition means a lot to me. It means a lot to our foundation and the reach that we’ve been able to get to with our local community of families and kids has meant a lot to me.”
This will be the third such event on Long Island. Last year’s Kancer Jam brought in more than $227,000.
This year’s event
There are 32 team slots available for this year’s Jam. Teams can register through the foundation’s website.
The day opens with ceremonies at 1:15 p.m., with the championship flight scheduled for 3:30 p.m. The event closes with an awards ceremony at 3:45 p.m.
“It gets competitive really quick,” Lee said. “We have some guys throwing some frisbees but then once it gets going a little bit … guys start dialing in pretty quick. Us hockey guys, we’re competing every day even just off the ice.”
Two-player teams will compete in the KanJam tournament alongside Lee and Islanders teammates. Off the court, fans and families can mingle with the players in what organizers describe as a fun and intimate setting.
Each participant will receive a gift bag with a commemorative shirt and other prizes, plus chances to win Islanders tickets, signed memorabilia, and more.
A great cause
All proceeds benefit the Jam Kancer in the Kan Foundation, which directly supports families battling cancer. Even those who can’t attend can take part in an online auction.
“Game experiences and the opportunity to play golf with Anders,” said foundation founder Jamey Crimmins. “We have items from Alexander Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby and a team-signed jersey from the Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers. That auction has proven to be a great fundraiser for us.”
More details about the auction will be announced next week on the foundation’s site.
Top photo: Anders Lee tossing a frisbee at his Anders Lee Kancer Jam. (Credit: Jam Kancer in the Kan Foundation)
