ELMONT, NY — The New York Islanders have long prided themselves on being a family organization. That extends beyond the players in the locker room to the community that supports them.
A few weeks ago, we learned just how much the Islanders’ franchise value has grown. Jon Ledecky deserves credit for the work he’s put in since becoming a co-owner.
He’s constantly out in the community, talking with fans and building relationships with business leaders. The Islanders have business connections now that they simply didn’t have before, and as the ownership group has grown, Ledecky has continued to be front and center.
On Saturday night at UBS Arena, we saw another example of how much that community connection means.
The Islanders and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation came together to surprise the family of fallen FDNY Fire Marshal Martin “Woody” McHale, with the foundation paying off the mortgage on their Manhasset home.
His wife, Hope, and their twin sons were recognized during an in-game presentation. Islanders fans gave a standing ovation as a scoreboard tribute honored McHale’s service.
“The Islanders ‘Hockey with a Heart’ program is proud to partner with The Tunnel to Towers Foundation to support the families of first responders who served our community with such valor,” Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky told The Elmonters. “Hope McHale and her twin sons are such worthy recipients. The standing ovation by our great fans to our scoreboard tribute for the outstanding service of Fire Marshal McHale was a moment that touched us all.”
The mortgage payoff is part of Tunnel to Towers’ nationwide mission to deliver 343 mortgage-free homes in 2026, in tribute to the 343 FDNY firefighters lost on Sept. 11.
That mission supports catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, Gold Star families, and families of fallen first responders who leave behind young children.
Tunnel to Towers was Saturday’s Hockey With a Heart recipient. According to the Islanders, the initiative has distributed more than $2 million to nonprofit organizations since UBS Arena opened for the 2021-22 season.
That includes approximately $500,000 during the 2025-26 season alone, with more than 50 charitable organizations participating.
