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Next month, Kyle Palmieri expects to be back on the ice with his Islanders teammates for training camp at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow.
On Wednesday, though, he traded the ice for the outdoor ball hockey rink, hosting about 50 children from military families for a free street hockey clinic.
The event was a partnership between the Islanders and the Kyle Palmieri Foundation.
“It’s awesome,” Palmieri said before the clinic. “Getting on skates and putting on all of the equipment is a big to-do. Street hockey is something that you can play with your neighborhood friends and it’s something I grew up playing. It’s a good opportunity to get kids interested in the game and get them out moving around.”
The Kyle Palmieri Foundation works to improve the lives of veterans and their families on Long Island, partnering with organizations that provide hands-on services and resources to the military community.
“The military has always been a very important cause for me,” Palmieri said. “The ability to use my platform and be part of the military community is something that’s always been important. It’s just an opportunity for little things like this to put a smile on a kid’s face or brighten up a family’s day. It’s a good opportunity for them to get out and be part of the community that they have a lot in common with.”
The foundation’s “Squad 21” program also gives service members and veterans an opportunity to connect through hockey by inviting them to attend Islanders games free of charge.
And when the 2026-27 NHL season begins, Palmieri expects to be back on the ice himself.
“Yeah … good to go,” said Palmieri, who suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during the Islanders’ Nov. 28 game against the Flyers.
“Ramping things up here now that we’re in August. Everything feels good and all signs point to being ready to go. This summer has been as close to normal as it can be seven months after ACL surgery. There are some things I can’t do or stay away from, but for the most part, I feel good on the ice and I’m looking forward to getting back on the ice with my teammates.”
Those teammates will look a little different when camp opens.
Longtime captain Anders Lee is no longer an Islander after signing with the Utah Mammoth in free agency, leaving a major void both on and off the ice.
“As far as the quality of person and the character, that can’t really be replaced,” Palmieri said. “As a player, he was such a huge part of our team. It will be one of those things that really sets in when you look over at his stall and he’s not there anymore. It’s part of the game that we play. He’ll be missed and we wish him nothing but the best.”
There will also be a new voice behind the bench.
Peter DeBoer, who replaced Patrick Roy with four games remaining last season, will begin his first full season as Islanders head coach. DeBoer has previously led the New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks to the Stanley Cup Final.
Palmieri and DeBoer both spent time with the Devils, although they never crossed paths in New Jersey.
“I missed him by a couple of years when I was in (New) Jersey, but there’s a couple of guys left over (who) had nothing but great things to say,” Palmieri said. “In the week and a half at the end of the season, I was able to sit in on the meetings and get a little bit of a feel and obviously get to know him a little bit more over the summer. I think we’re all excited to get going and get ready for camp.”
Before worrying about training camp, Palmieri had some coaching of his own to do Wednesday.
He offered pointers, answered questions and helped introduce the children to a more accessible version of the sport he grew up playing.
“It’s all about them having fun and hopefully a couple of them get excited about maybe playing hockey someday,” Palmieri said. “This is a great introduction to what it’s like to be out on the ice.”
Ball hockey has continued to grow across Long Island, allowing players to enjoy the sport without the cost of equipment and ice time.
“Ice time is hard to get but you can go out and play in your street and your driveway,” Palmieri said. “Some of the communities have outdoor rinks like this where you just go and shoot some pucks and play around with your buddies so it makes the game of hockey a lot more accessible. For me to do the connection with the military and the veterans and their families is a unique opportunity.”
For the roughly 50 children who took part Wednesday, it was also a chance to learn the game directly from an NHL player.
And if Palmieri has his way, perhaps a few of them left Northwell Health Ice Center as new hockey — and Islanders — fans.
For more information about the Kyle Palmieri Foundation, visit kylepalmierifoundation.com.
Top: All photos courtesy of the New York Islanders
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