New York Islanders on Playing In The NHL Stadium Series

Hey guys, Leslie here. Young Hollywood has landed at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, home of the New York Giants and Jets. But this weekend the NHL has taken over with the stadium series. Stay tuned.

This is an amazing stadium. We're not really in tight cramp quarters. The field's great. For us, this is a really good venue. They're putting down stage decking, leveling that out there, making sure they're ready by the time we get down there in a couple of days to start putting the ice down. It's a big two games for those teams. Important games, you know, later in the seasons. It's great to be here.

Stadium series is happening. You guys were just practicing on the ice. What did it feel like to be out there at MetLife Stadium?

It's unreal, honestly. It wasn't expected because the stadium is huge. We haven't got this experience before. So, that's unbelievable. For me, it's the first time I I saw that. It's the first time I've been in American football stadium. Yeah. So that's really special for me.

Okay, so 10 years ago we covered the first stadium series at Dodger Stadium between the Kings and the Ducks. Uh. Where were you 10 years ago? What were you doing?

10 years ago, I was 14 years old kid. So I could just watch it on on the TV. So 14 years old, I've been in North America. We played tournament tournament in in Canada. So Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa. So, I was pretty close.

So, you're playing outdoors. Let me know, what does that bring up for you memory wise? Cuz hockey players skating on ice must mean a lot.

Yeah, I mean it's it's an incredible opportunity for us as as hockey players and and our families were out there today and and that's something that that you'll remember forever. Uh, I think it's something that as a kid you grow up and depending on where you grew up, um, had the opportunity to play outdoors with your buddies and and it's usually just a ton of fun and it doesn't matter how cold it is or what the conditions are like. It's it's just a a really cool experience and that to do it as a professional athlete, it's uh, it's been incredible.

Now Young Hollywood, we covered uh Kings and Ducks back at Dodger Stadium 10 years ago, the first one. Talk about you 10 years ago. Uh, playing in that game.

Yeah. That was that was pretty cool. I mean, obviously weather-wise and and just the experience was a little different. Um, but it it was awesome. I mean, it was 55 degrees outside and my family made it out for the game and um, I was just kind of breaking my way into the league and and for for me to have the opportunity to be a part of that was was incredible.

Okay, so the last time you and I were together, John Varvatos, a couple years ago in the city. That was honestly such an epic fashion trip for me. How did it go for you? How's your fashion sense since?

Uh, I think it's pretty good. Um, you know, learned a lot over uh over the years and uh you know, that was kind of the start of uh me really getting into to fashion to a higher level, I guess, in in suits and uh John Varvatos was really big then, obviously, still big, but was really big then and uh you know, that was a perfect suit for the event.

How's your fashion sense since? Are you still into suits or more casual wear?

Uh, well, both, I would say. I'm still very much into suits. I wore a suit to every game. So, um, you know, certainly uh like that. Um kind of more into the custom suits now, um, which is nice. Uh put your own kind of touches on it and things like that. And then uh on from the casual standpoint, I think my style's changed a lot since the last time you've seen me. So a little bit more uh I think we had some funky hats going on. A little bit more, yeah, a little bit more mature, I'd say. And uh um, you know, I'm getting older, so you want to dress a little uh more appropriately.

Now, we're talking the outdoor rink stadium series. How'd it feel to get on that ice? What memories did it bring for you?

It was it was amazing, really. Uh, well, just getting here practice. Yeah, yeah, for the first time in in walking out there and seeing how big this facility is. I mean, I've been here for football games many times and and you really don't get a true perspective of just how many people this place holds. And uh so that was a pretty cool and special thing just to be out on that ice and just look around and understand how many people are here for a football game. Um, so that's pretty cool and brings back memories of the Yankee Stadium game. Um, what, 10 years ago or nine years ago? And uh, you know, this one's just that much better cuz uh I didn't have kids then. I have, you know, a three-year-old and a one-year-old now and just to be able to skate around with them and uh get some pictures and some memories, uh makes it that much sweeter.

You said the number 10. 10 years ago, we covered that first outdoor game. Dodger Stadium with Kings and Ducks. Talk about 10 years ago for you. Did it go by like that?

Yeah. Well, it went by pretty quick. Yeah, pretty quick, for sure. And uh, you know, you go from a young guy in this league to an old guy pretty quickly. I'm sure a lot of guys have told you that, but, um, you know, it does fly by and, you know, hockey's just given me such a great life, obviously and, um, you know, it's a pretty amazing thing. So, uh, you know, hopefully we can uh stick around a little longer and and just keep enjoying uh enjoying the ride.