Islanders Enjoy Ice Time in Minnesota

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Recently, the Islanders’ group chat buzzed with excitement thanks to Anders Lee.

He mentioned he’d spend a day at his Minnesota home and would bring along an old jersey.

“I told the boys to dig out their favorite childhood jerseys,” Lee shared after practice. “Pull out something meaningful, like a jersey from a tournament you won or something like that. Everyone brought theirs, either shipping them from home or having their parents send them over to wear that day.”

Lee, the Islanders’ captain from Edina, Minn., recently bought a property with a pond in that area. The timing was perfect, with a break in the schedule between a win in Minnesota and a game in Winnipeg. The plan was to enjoy a little downtime before heading back north.

It was a unique chance amid the hectic NHL calendar, especially for a team that believes in preserving joy in the game. The Islanders, along with some support staff, enjoyed a good old-fashioned game of 17-on-17 hockey on the pond, reminiscent of their childhood days under a sunny January sky.

“It felt like one big family, just skating together,” said Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

When on the road, particularly during a grueling seven-game stretch, it’s easy to slip into typical team-building routines. In reality, the majority of NHL travel (over 95%) revolves around meals together and some shopping. Sure, a few might hit the golf course if they’re in the right spot, but as Pageau noted, “not everyone plays golf.”

Adam Boqvist recalled a time while he was with Columbus when the team had a day trip to the Masters, something he wouldn’t normally get to enjoy during his seven seasons.

“I think it’s huge,” Boqvist remarked. “Being together is important. Most of the time, I’d just be in my room or taking a walk. When I’m at home, I’m with my family, but here, we like to enjoy each other’s company. It’s a lot of fun.”

Even when the Islanders struggled last year, no one doubted their close-knit locker room. This year’s atmosphere feels different, especially with their current record of 25-15-5. It serves as just another example of their camaraderie.

“It was fantastic. We had a blast,” Pageau said. “Everyone reminisced about good times with their parents and friends as kids. Days like this, where we can unwind and just enjoy each other’s company, are really beneficial for the team. You can see how much we laugh together; it truly brings us closer.”

Boqvist mentioned the Islanders spent about six hours at Lee’s place, though not all of it was spent on the ice. They took a break to watch a soccer game indoors.

“We enjoy gathering in groups, but depending on the schedule and location, it can be tricky to find the right activities,” Lee pointed out. “This was a perfect chance for us to hang out, laugh all day, enjoy the game, and just relax together.”

“With guys already away from their families, rather than wandering around, grabbing lunch, or heading back to hotel rooms, this was something special.”