Hockey Night in Brooklyn: A visit to the Islanders new home arena Travel Spotlight MiKE Cohen

I have always wanted to see a professional hockey game in New York City. That recently became a re- ality when I took the trip from the Algonquin Hotel near Times Square to the in Brooklyn to watch the hometown Is- landers faceoff against the Toronto Maple Leafs. And I did so from the press box. It is less than 30 minutes by subway, taxi or car. This marks the first sea- son in Brooklyn for the Islanders. The team spent its entire 42 history at the The Barclays Centre in Brooklyn is the new home for the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coli- The team still has its practice facility in Long Island. Communications manager Jesse Eisenberg told me seum in Union- Four banners are already hanging in the the adjustment is going well and that sponsorship op- dale, NY, aka Barclays Center. In addition, banners hang for retired portunities in Brooklyn far outweigh those in Long Long Island. With players , , Bob Nystrom, Clark Island. The players are doing their best to make this the arena outdated Gillies, as well as former coach Al Ar- work as well. After the game I stood outside the Isles’ and no new facility bour and former general manager Bill Torrey. dressing room as a slew of players came out to take on the horizon, owner- Located in the heart of Brooklyn, at the crossroads part in promotional meet and greets. ship turned towards the of Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues, Barclays Center There was a great atmosphere in the rink and so Barclays Centre – home boasts one of the most intimate seating configurations many fans wearing Islanders jerseys, most with num- of basketball’s Brooklyn ever designed for a modern multi-purpose arena. For ber 91 Tavares on the back (for John Tava- Nets. The announcement of hockey the capacity is just over 15,000; 17,732 for bas- res). There are all kinds of neat promotions going on the move was actually made ketball and up to 18,000 for musical or other perfor- – seeking the loudest fan of the game, the best beard, three years ago. They have a mances. It opened on September 28, 2012 with eight the best dancer, guess the autograph and seat up- lease until 2040. consecutive sold out shows by JAY Z. grades. At one point during the game a member of the Former Islander super- I enjoyed the experience immensely and strongly US Army was introduced to the crowd and got a long star Mike Bossy is a recommend it to anyone visiting New York. As Mike standing ovation. The team mascot Sparky actually goodwill ambassador Bossy told me, this is indeed a work in progress. skates around the ice, something the Habs’ Youppi for the team and is Most of the team’s loyal fan base is still in Long Is- can’t seem to do. now a regular on land. They either drive in or take the train. I spoke Eleven subway lines stop near the arena: 2, 3, 4, TVA hockey to many of them as I walked through the arena. and 5, B, D, N, Q, and R to Atlantic Avenue-Barclays broadcasts While some complained about the commute of at Center C to Lafayette Avenue G to Fulton Street. Photo by Marco Webber least 45 minutes, they pledged to support the team. Continued on page 24

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The Montrealer, February 2016 • theMontrealerOnline.com 23 Hockey Night in Brooklyn commuted, spending weekdays in Long continued from page 23 Island and returned home on weekends. SE AU S ES O Echoes of Sun Youth When the team relocated to Brooklyn N L U E I

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I was eager to speak with Mike Bossy for this season he saw an opportunity J about the move. The former Laval Na- to switch things up. Since the sales and By Ann St-Arnaud tionals junior hockey superstar was marketing of the team is now in the hands S U H N Y U T Sun Youth Communications nothing less than the most prolific goal- of the Barclays Center, he reached an O scorer in Islanders history and a member agreement to play a very part-time role, Department of the . He played and come to town for specific games. “I right wing and won four consecutive basically go visit people in the suites and Sun Youth helps make a safe place! Stanley Cups from 1980 to 1983 while shake a lot of hands,” he says. Best known for its summer Bike Patrol and Rewards program, Sun Youth’s scoring 573 goals. He netted an NHL re- Bossy had done some work for TVA Crime Prevention department was established in the early 1970’s and is active all cord 50 or more goals in nine of his 10 Sports in Montreal and he raised the pos- year round. It also comprises Assistance to Crime Victims, the Good Samaritan seasons to go with 553 assists and also sibility of coming on board as a regular and the Anti-Bullying and Conflict Resolution Programs. won the Calder Trophy in 1978-79, the contributor. That proposal was accepted A useful tool Conn Smythe Trophy in 1981-82 and and he can now be seen four to five days Our Rewards Program has been particularly active late- three Lady Byng Trophies. a week on sportscasts, between periods ly with two new reward offers, one of up to $40,000 Bossy grew up in the Ahuntsic area. of game broadcasts and as a panelist on for information to help solve the murder of Algonquin The Nationals thought so highly of him as the Dave Morrisette Show. “I am very woman from Pikogan, Sindy Ruperthouse and one of a teenager that they offered to cover part much enjoying it,” he says. “I work $10,000 for any information on the whereabouts of of the living costs of his family if they nights, so it gives me a chance to spend Gatineau resident Yves Cyr. The Rewards Program began moved there for this would give them more time with my grandchildren and in 1991 with a partnership between the police depart- territorial rights. So he left his friends at even drive them to school.” ment of the city of Montreal and Sun Youth. Four other St. Pius X Comprehensive High School As for Islanders, Bossy is impressed major police forces joined the program since, the Sûreté du Québec, the Laval Police Department, the Longueuil and enrolled at Laval Catholic. In four by their lineup. “They have a good Police Department and the Provincial Police. full seasons for the Nationals he had 70, team that is developing nicely,” he said. The rewards are offered through Sun Youth by anonymous 84, 79 and 75 goals respectively and was “There are a lot of pieces to the puzzle th donors concerned with the resolution of specific crimes. drafted by the Islanders 15 overall in and they are on the right road.” Sun Youth acts as an intermediary between the anonymous the first round. donor and the police force handling the investigation. Upon While Bossy retired in 1987, he was Mike Cohen’s email address is info@ the investigators’ decision to pay a reward and the amount lured back to the Islanders family nine mikecohen.ca. Follow his travels at to be paid, Sun Youth makes the reward available to inves- years ago to work in corporate sales. www.sandboxworld.com/travel and on tigators for payment. Rewards are available only for a fixed He retained Rosemere as his base and Twitter @mikecohencsl. period beyond which, depending on the donor’s instruc- tions, the reward is renewed or the money is returned to the donor. It may also be used for assistance to crime victims. “Bole So Nihal” to the Montreal West-Island In 2014-2015, we helped 31 victims with expenses such as Sikh Community! monthly rent, electricity, heating, medication, and bus pass. Sun Youth also allows victims to use the services of its Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji food bank as well as to receive free clothing and hygiene products. (1469 - 1539), founder of the Since 1991, Sun Youth’s rewards program has helped solve 26 criminal investiga- Sikh faith, began early in life tions and cases of missing persons corresponding to 27% of all investigations for to care for the less fortunate. which a cash reward was offered. As of today, the rewards granted amounted to It is said that when he was $100,000. There are 8 active reward offers at the present which can be consulted by 12 years old, his father gave visiting our website at www.sunyouthorg.com. him twenty rupees for him to Social Mentors in schools do business, his father want- Also active during the winter ing to teach him the ropes of months, are the Youth and Social commerce. Guru Nanak de- Mentors in Bancroft Elementary cided to use the money to pur- school and Lauren Hill Academy. chase food to feed the poor, In existence since 2001, Sun telling his father that he had Youth’s Anti-Bullying and done “true business”. When Conflict Resolution Program, pro- 15 years later he founded the vides these schools with an addi- Sikh faith, one of his fist dec- Photo: Nicolas Carpentier tional resource that will support larations was that mankind is Enough food to feed an army: Gurudwara the school staff during the year a brotherhood of equal men. Sahib Greater Montreal’s annual donation to by fostering positive relationships His teachings also included the Sun Youth Food Bank. amongst students. Interventions include group workshops on lead- the importance to share with the less vegetarian meal prepared by the mem- ership, peer mediation, conflict fortunate. bers themselves, in a pot-lock fashion. Photo: Jonathan Caisse resolution, socialization, and 546 years after he was born, Guru On this occasion, Sun Youth’s Nicolas discussion groups about issues Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings are still ob- Carpentier was presented with a sym- Youth Mentor Rubens Ernest (right) and Bancroft School’s Boys Club today’s youths deal with. The served by his followers and Montreal’s bolic food hamper while an impressive mentors also organize extracur- West-Island Sikh community is a vibrant donation of non-perishable food items ricular activities that use team work (sports, food drives, creating a school newspaper). example of such selflessness. For almost was waiting outside of the temple’s Individual interventions are mainly centered on homework assistance and mediation. a decade, the community of Gurudwara main hall where all followers gather. If you know of a Good Samaritan who should be rewarded, please let us know at Sahib Greater Montreal (1155, Hyman Guru Nanak Dev Ji spoke his gos- [email protected]. Since September 2001, Sun Youth has rewarded Boulevard in DDO) have been support- pel for all men, whom he thought were 63 individuals of exceptional bravery who came to the rescue of people in danger, ing the Sun Youth food bank with an all equal. By sharing with the less for- sometimes risking their own lives. annual donation of non-perishable food tunate, the world is made right again, Finally, if you or someone you know are interested in joining our 2016 bike patrol, items on the occasion of Guru Nanak’s repaired from inequalities, if only for you may send in your c.v at [email protected]. birthday. a moment. Members of the general On January 10th, Sun Youth repre- public are welcome to take part in lan- This space is offered by a donor of Sun Youth in collaboration sentatives were invited to take part in gar every Sunday at Gurudwara Sahib with The Montrealer. For more information on our programs visit our langar, the traditional communal meal Greater Montreal. Admission is free but website at www.sunyouthorg.com. For more news and information which brings together all members of a monetary donation to the temple is al- on Sun Youth and the community, like us on Facebook, follow us the community and invitees to share a ways appreciated. on Twitter and Instagram and connect with us on LinkedIn. 24 The Montrealer, February 2016 • theMontrealerOnline.com