Hockey Is Hockey

08/17/2026

Every year, it seems to get better and grow a bit more. But HIH ‘26 took a big leap this year.

08/17/2026

That’s a wrap on HIH ‘26.

Grateful & incredibly thankful for all that this great game brings into our lives.

Recap and additional photos & videos coming soon.

For now… we rest.

08/14/2026

WE’RE HEADED TO TV!

We’re incredibly excited to announce that MSG Networks will be joining us tomorrow, Saturday, August 15, at Hockey Is Hockey & Peconic Ice Rinks!

MSG will be on site throughout the day filming a feature story on Hockey Is Hockey and a Main Event Player profile (story under wraps), capturing the the atmosphere and the hockey community that has made this event what it is.

The feature is scheduled to air on MSG Networks during the upcoming New York Islanders season.

For us, this is a pretty special moment.

What started as a small summer roller hockey game between friends has grown into something far bigger - a week where NHL players and alumni, pros, college players, coaches, kids, families and hockey fans of every age and skill level come together for one simple reason:

The love of the game.

Tomorrow, MSG Networks gets to help us tell that story.

So come out, fill the rink, bring the energy and be part of it.

This is Hockey Is Hockey.

A CELEBRATION OF THE GAME.

08/14/2026

3pm Deadline Free Agents are in!

08/13/2026

And here are the 2026 HIH MAIN EVENT GAMES DRAFT NIGHT SELECTIONS & ROSTERS!

Notes:

Following the conclusion of the draft, each team has until 3pm on Friday, August 14 to add any one player to their roster.

David Ayres is playing Goaltender in the Ice game, and as Defenseman in the Roller game.

Both games and nights should make for an incredible weekend. Hope to see you there! And come hungry for our Food Trucks!

08/13/2026

08/13/2026

THIS is Hockey Is Hockey.

Last night was the perfect example of what we’ve always envisioned this event could be.

A packed house. The buzz in the room. Kids running around with autograph cards, searching for the next player to meet. Old friends catching up. Hockey families everywhere. Players, coaches, fans, sponsors and supporters together for one reason: the love of the game.

The crowd kept growing to the point where the incredible Hotel Indigo staff had to pull out three or four additional tables just to accommodate everyone walking through the doors.

And Kyle Palmieri barely made it through those doors. For nearly 40 minutes, fans lined the lobby waiting to meet him, take a picture or get an autograph, and for many kids, meet one of their idols.

That’s what this is about.

Having Ed Westfall, Kyle Palmieri, Keith Kinkaid, Steve Webb, David Ayres and so many others there supporting this event and community was incredibly special.

We were also honored to welcome Riverhead Town Councilman Ken Rothwell and NY State Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio, among many other friends and supporters.
But what stood out most wasn’t any one name.

It was this community. The willingness to support. The enthusiasm. The passion for this game and the people who make up our local hockey family.

Hockey Is Hockey grows every year, and nights like last night remind us why. People want to come together. They want their kids to experience it. They want to meet the players they look up to, reconnect with old friends and celebrate the game together.

Eleven years ago, this started with a simple idea centered around an outdoor roller hockey game. Last night, I stood in a packed room and watched what that idea has grown into. And that was only Draft Night.

To our players and guests, sponsors, Hotel Indigo, volunteers, local leaders, Peconic Hockey Foundation, Peconic Ice Rinks, and especially this incredible Long Island hockey community…

Thank you. Truly. What a way to kick off Hockey Is Hockey week.

Now, on to the rinks!

HOCKEY IS HOCKEY.

08/12/2026

PLAYER ANNOUNCEMENT: EVAN FERRARO

The Ferraro hockey tradition continues at Hockey Is Hockey.

We’re excited to welcome Evan Ferraro to the 2026 HIH Main Event Ice & Roller Games!

Evan is headed to the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL this upcoming season as he takes the next step in his hockey career.

The son of former NHLer Chris Ferraro and nephew of Chris’s twin brother, former NHLer Peter Ferraro, Evan comes from a family that has been part of the HIH story from the very beginning. Chris and Peter have been close friends, supporters and believers in this event since Day 1, which makes having Evan suit up with us that much more special.

We’re excited to have him on the ice and the roller rink this week, and even more excited to see where his hockey journey takes him next.

Welcome back to HIH, Evan!

Main Event Outdoor Roller Game
Friday, August 14 • 7:45 PM

Main Event Ice Game
Saturday, August 15 • 7:30 PM

Peconic Ice Rinks
FREE ADMISSION

08/12/2026

PLAYER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Two Long Island defensemen are joining the 2026 Hockey Is Hockey Main Event Ice Game - Matt Grimes & Donato Bracco!

Grimes is coming off the completion of his USHL career and will take the next step this fall at Boston College, while Bracco continues his collegiate career at Harvard University.

Another two Long Island natives and Division I defensemen. One ice for the HIH Main Event.

We’re excited to welcome Matt and Donato to the Hockey Is Hockey family and have them hit the ice Saturday night!

MAIN EVENT ICE GAME
Saturday, August 15
7:30 PM
Peconic Ice Rinks
FREE ADMISSION

A Celebration of the Game.

08/11/2026

PLAYER ANNOUNCEMENT:
ETHAN WYTTENBACH

Ethan Wyttenbach first joined us at Hockey Is Hockey in 2024 as a 16-year-old and we’re excited to welcome him back for the 2026 HIH Main Event Ice Game!

Since then, Ethan’s hockey journey has taken off. After playing for the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL, where he became the inaugural recipient of the Gaudreau Award, honoring the legacy of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, Ethan was selected by the Calgary Flames in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Then came a remarkable freshman season at Quinnipiac.

Ethan led all of NCAA Division I hockey in scoring with 25 goals, 34 assists and 59 points in 40 games, earning 2026 Tim Taylor National Rookie of the Year, ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Year, AHCA First Team East All-American and All-ECAC First Team honors.

From a 16-year-old joining us at HIH in 2024 to one of the brightest young players in college hockey just two years later.

We’re proud to welcome Ethan Wyttenbach back to Hockey Is Hockey.

See him in the Main Event Ice Game - Saturday, August 15, 7:30 PM at Peconic Ice Rinks.