The Ed Westfall Arena is now open in Calverton, New York.
Calverton, NY-- A brand new, year-round indoor ice rink had its grand opening event on Saturday.
The Ed Westfall Arena, named after the New York Islanders' first captain in franchise history, was brought to fruition by the Peconic Hockey Foundation.
The rink will be the first ice arena on the east end of Long Island.
“The Peconic Hockey Foundation's mission is to grow the game of hockey through scholarships, training, and other programs. The PHF's aim is to grow the culture of hockey by helping to offset the cost of participation and to create more opportunity to families who want to play hockey,” according to the foundation's website.
The ceremony held just outside the rink was led by PHF President Troy Albert and included local and state government officials, sponsors, coaches, players, and families who helped make the rink project become a reality.
When speaking with Albert, a major donor of the project suggested the idea of honoring Westfall. Albert explained the impact Westfall had.
“Ed has played our annual golf outing since 2015. He's done speeches and everything I've ever asked of him,” Albert said. “He’s such a gentleman. I loved that idea.”
“All the players over the years I’ve ever spoken to have said so much about him and what he does and how he’s brought the teams together and led them. He stayed on Long Island, he played for the Boston Bruins, but he made this his home,” Albert said. “I think it would be something great to give back to the island and the Islanders.”
Along with Westfall other Islanders alumni in attendance included Pat LaFontaine, John Tonelli, and Steve Webb. Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky was also present, taking photos with fans and speaking at the podium.
It was also announced as a part of the Peconic Ice Rinks project that the soon-to-be-built outdoor rink will be named in honor of Barbara Williams.
Williams was the first female skating coach in the NHL with the Islanders in the 80s and is still actively coaching youth hockey players.
Westfall is honored to be a part of the Islanders community. “I’m absolutely thrilled that these wonderful people thought enough of me and my contributions to Long Island,” Westfall said. “It was a wonderful place to come. I’ll always remember our first year, and it was a family affair.”
The family feeling in the local community has always stuck with Westfall, especially when facing off against the team’s biggest rival.
“One of the things that I always identified when we had to face the Rangers was they play in front of corporate, we play in front of family,” Westfall said. “That has always stuck with me and, of course, had a lot to do with the fact that I've made my home here for the last 51 years.”
LaFontaine spoke glowingly of the family environment surrounding the Long Island community.
“When I first came here, it was all about the community. It was all about being involved,” LaFontaine said. The players fall in love with the community, and the community falls in love with the players, and then great things happen. That’s what you are seeing here today.”
Naming the rink after Westfall means a lot to LaFontaine.
“Another arena is being built and another legacy that’s continuing,” LaFontaine said. I can't think of a better person who made Long Island his home, brought all that leadership and culture to all the communities on Long Island, and now here out in Calverton.
“Your smile and leadership have changed Long Island forever, and now it's the Ed Westfall Arena,"
Ledecky spoke on the impact Westfall has on the community as well as how the Islanders organization helped complete this project.
“Ed Westfall really is Long Island. He retired and could have gone anywhere, but he stayed on Long Island and made it his home,” Ledecky said. “We are so pleased as the New York Islanders and the Islanders Children’s Foundation, which supported this financially.
“We are so pleased that the Town of Riverhead, Ken Rothwell, Troy Albert, and the Peconic Hockey Foundation have deemed it appropriate to name this great facility the Ed Westfall Arena!”
What makes Westfall the most proud about this new rink is the great memories the locals will make.
“When you think of the pleasure that these buildings are going to give families, it’s not just kids playing hockey, but figure skating, family skating,” Westfall said. “It’s a wonderful way for people to say, ‘Let's go get a pair of skates and go for a skate.’ You wouldn’t believe what that does for a family and a community.”
The future is bright for hockey and skating on the east end of Long Island with this new rink. “It’s commitment, perseverance, and persistence, but it's doing it all together for an arena that is going to have an impact on the next generation of all these kids,” LaFontaine said.
Older generations of Islanders fans will always remember Westfall for his contributions on the ice, but now the younger generations will be able to enjoy this new rink, which will forever bear his name.
Westfall is thrilled that he was given this great honor of having an arena named after him. “What a wonderful tribute to a humble person who still can’t believe it,” Westfall said. “I thank you all.”