Roots on the Ice
Seven summers ago a handful of former Long Island Royals gathered at Superior Ice Rink in Kings Park to launch a modest summer league, a modest experiment that would soon become a ritual for a group of players who had already made it to the National Hockey League.
What began as a nostalgic reunion has evolved into a well‑organized tournament that draws former teammates, friends and even a few family members each July. The league’s modest scale belies the caliber of its participants, many of whom now skate in the NHL’s brightest arenas.
Every summer the alumni return to the same concrete boards that witnessed their first slap shots, lacing up their skates to play the game that first defined them. The matches are more than a hobby; they are a deliberate act of preserving the community ties that shaped their early careers.
For these professionals, the league is a reminder that success on the world stage does not erase the importance of origin. By stepping back onto the rink in Kings Park, they honor the childhood memories that sparked their love for hockey and reinforce a shared identity that transcends contracts and jerseys.