EAST MEADOW, NY — This week, the Matt Martin Foundation hosted its annual Matt Martin Hockey Academy at Northwell Ice Center, the New York Islanders’ practice facility in East Meadow.
The camp, now in its 11th year, required more counselors than ever before as it welcomed a record 360 participants, ranging from 6 to 15 years old.
Each rink — across six separate ice sessions — had two head coaches, with the goalies getting specialized instruction of their own to start their day before joining their respective groups.
The coaching staff included Massapequa High School varsity coach Matt Bobko, NHL personality and former Division I player Jonny Lazarus, 2025 Federal Hockey League champion Christopher Mott, goalie coaches Mike Orth and Greg Skillman and yours truly.
“Every year is kind of special in its own way,” Martin told The Elmonters. “The camp continues to grow, which is a good thing, especially since I’m retired now. My former teammates and Schaef and the guys that are willing to come out and donate their time play a big part in that. But I think, in general, just hockey on Long Island continues to grow. It gets bigger and bigger since when I first came here to now. It seems like it’s really taking off and just a fun, fun week for everyone to be a part of.”
The record turnout certainly backed up Martin’s point about just how much the game has grown on Long Island.
After four days filled with current and former Islanders stopping by, the campers had one more surprise waiting for them.
Matthew Schaefer showed up Friday morning and spent the entire day with the campers, getting on the ice, signing autographs and having just as much fun as the kids around him.
“Yeah, it’s the best. I mean, doing this for Marty is awesome, but doing this for Long Island is the best, too,” Schaefer told The Elmonters. “And it’s just so fun when you can come out and have fun with kids, and I can be a kid. This is right down my alley when I get to do things like this and do it for a foundation, and especially Marty, but for the kids.
“It’s something I will always love doing no matter what in life because, at the end of the day, I was in these kids’ footsteps once. When we’re having fun out there — we’re laughing, we’re smiling and we’re playing the game of hockey, which we love — it brings a lot of smiles and creates a lot of friendships, and you can learn a lot.”
“The Matt Martin Hockey Academy is about so much more than hockey. It’s about creating an experience that campers will remember for the rest of their lives,” Geoff Noss told The Elmonters. “The fact that we welcomed a record number of campers this year is a testament to how much families believe in and enjoy the experience we’ve built. Having Matt Martin, Matt Schaefer and other Islanders on the ice with our campers, giving every single camper the opportunity to play with them and receive an autograph, was a truly special moment that captured what makes this camp so unique.
“Our goal is for every camper to leave with improved skills, new friendships, incredible memories, and an even greater love for the game of hockey.”
The Matt Martin Foundation supports a number of charitable organizations, including the NYPD Widow and Children’s Fund, which helps families of fallen police officers; the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which funds cystic fibrosis research and support; ACDS, which assists individuals with Down syndrome and developmental disabilities and their families; the Islanders Children’s Foundation, which helps children in need across Long Island; and programs that fund the training and gifting of service animals to veterans, children with medical challenges and others in need.
To learn more about the Matt Martin Foundation and make a donation, click HERE.
The incredible thing about Schaefer is he is going to get taller, faster, smarter, more confident and Stronger. The fact that he had one of the greatest rookie seasons for a defenseman doesn’t tell a complete story. If the islanders weren’t so challenged offensively and on the PP what would have been his point total? The kid could be a Denis Potvin with even more offensive flair. The Islanders were 🍀 lucky to draft him. He will be as advertised this year and as the team gets better his point totals will rise. He is already a star in the NHL, but I think we have only seen the tip of the iceberg with this kid. With all the talent, a little swag, and his maturity the kid is the complete package.
Matt Martin role as a big brother/Dad Type to many of these prospects maybe the most valuable contribution he makes as an Islander. Sure he is management but the impact on Schaefer and the others as they come up can’t be underestimated. Pro Hockey has many aspects both on and off the ice for these kids. Having the people in the organization to help them is crucial. Martin is most likely the most influential and relatable guy to them. The organization is filled with these guys Darche Gold Bowness……etc. The Islanders are putting the bricks 🧱 in place to be a First Class Organization and Yes a Destination! The On Ice Product will take off soon 🔜, we haven’t had this great of an ownership group ever. It will bring the Championships back. First and foremost establish UBS home ice advantage.