Hockey Is Hockey

19/07/2024

Thank you to one of our newest sponsors, , for the donations in support of our upcoming event, August 15-18 at Peconic Ice Rinks in Calverton, NY.

With their slogan “Anywhere. Anytime” and vision to grow the game, Marsblade is a perfect fit for us.

If you haven’t already, give them a “Follow” and check out their products.

18/07/2024

Night Skates Coming Soon!

12/07/2024

Thank you to one of our newest sponsors, , for our latest collaboration! Check out the Webstore for products and info.

28/06/2024

With the 2024 NHL Draft taking place this evening, today seems perfectly fitting to make our next Main Event Games Player Announcement for our upcoming event, August 15-18 at Peconic Ice Rinks in Calverton, NY.

The current projected #1 pick for the 2025 NHL Draft, James Hagens, from Hauppauge, NY, will be added to our Draft Night player list and will suit up for our Main Event Ice Hockey Game on Friday, August 16 at 7:30pm, following our Draft Night Party on August 15. He will also be joined by standout player and brother, Michael.

During the 2023–24 season, James Hagens recorded 18 goals and 29 assists in 26 games for the NTDP in the United States Hockey League (USHL). Hagens is committed to play college ice hockey for Boston College during the 2024–25 season.

2023-24: U-18 National Team
* Appeared in 58 games, tallying 39 goals and 63 assists for 102 points
* Finished fifth in NTDP history for career points (187)
* Finished fifth in NTDP history for career assists (115)
* Named USHL Forward of the Week once (April 1)

Michael Hagens saw action in 59 games with the Chicago Steel in 2023-24, had seven goals and 25 assists for 32 points to rank 12th in scoring by defensemen in the USHL this season.

He completed his second and final season with the Steel as the top defenseman on the team in points (32), goals (7), and assists (25). He also led the defensive corps in power play assists with eight and posted two game-winning goals during the season. His 32 points ranked tied for 12th among league defensemen and was fifth overall for the Steel.

Michael is committed and will reunite with his brother at Boston College this Fall.

We are very excited to have the both of them and greatly appreciate their support!

14/06/2024

Thrilled to announce that David Ayres, the first ever emergency backup goaltender in league history to record an NHL win, will be attending and playing in HOCKEY IS HOCKEY, August 15-18 at Peconic Ice Rinks in Calverton, NY.

In 2004, Dave Ayres, a goaltender grinding it out in minor league hockey levels and various pro-am camps, received a kidney transplant from his mother. This moment symbolized the end of the hockey road and career for the Whitby, Ontario native. At least, during that time.

Fast forward 15 years later, on February 22, 2020, the 42-year-old Building Operations Manager & Zamboni Driver at Mattamy Athletic Centre, and Scotiabank Arena emergency backup goalie, was forced into action after the Carolina Hurricanes lost both Petr Mrazek and James Reimer to injury in the second period during their game against his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs. Ayres made his debut and did the incredible, stopping 8 of 10 shots and earning a 6-3 victory, becoming the first emergency backup goaltender in league history to record an NHL win.

While he became known as the “Zamboni Driver,” Ayres has moved on from his job as building operations manager at Mattamy Athletic Centre. He is now an account manager for CIMCO Refrigeration where he oversees the Toronto area.

Additionally, Disney and other film production studios have sought out his story to create a motion picture film based on his life.

For Hockey Is Hockey, Ayres will serve on one of the coaching staffs during Draft Night, selecting teams for our Main Event Games. He will also suit up in goal for the Main Event Ice Game and get behind the bench for the Main Event Roller Game.

22/05/2024

We are excited to welcome & add Jonny Lazarus to our 2024 Main Event Player Draft List for the Main Event Ice & Inline Games.

Lazarus, a former Division I Ice Hockey Player who played for Mercyhurst College and UMass-Amherst, currently works as an Analyst and On-Air Host for the NHL, , and . He is also a Content Creator for and a Podcast Host for the .

Lazarus will be suiting up for both The Main Event Ice & The Main Event Inline Games. This will be his first HIH event appearance and we’re happy to have him.

21/05/2024

As we are currently finalizing our Player Roster for The 2024 Main Event Players Draft, which will determine rosters for The Main Event Ice & Inline Games, we are excited to say that the list is heating up!

These games are and were never intended to try & include the “best” or most popular players around. These games are more about including our current & former teammates, opponents, players we’ve coached, and hockey friends met along the way throughout the years. Additionally though, that list tends to include some of the most talented, not only in our area, but in some cases, throughout the world.

Before we get to any NHL or Celebrity-related names, we would like to announce a few of the local players who will be suiting up this year. This group is a collection of players we had the opportunity to coach and coach against at the collegiate level, and includes hockey backgrounds in Pro Ice, Pro Tournament & International Roller, Team USA Roller, and Collegiate Ice & Roller.

Goaltender, Mike Maczynski - Main Event Roller Game

Defenseman/Forward, Joey DiMartino - Main Event Ice & Inline Games

Defenseman/Forward, PJ DiMartino - Main Event Ice & Inline Games

Forward, Matt O’Shaughnessy - Main Event Ice & Inline Games

Defenseman, Chris Russolello - Main Event Ice & Inline Games

Forward, KJ Tiefenwerth - Main Event Ice & Inline Games

Forward, Josh Weger - Main Event Roller Game

Stay tuned as we introduce individual player posts and further announcements, along with the details of our event schedule.

And please feel free to reach out if interested in getting involved with the event.

03/05/2024

Hockey Is Hockey ‘19.

02/05/2024

@ Hockey Is Hockey 2019.

01/05/2024

This year’s event is filling up fast!

Youth through Adult Ice, Inline & Dek Feature Games & Programs

Women’s Games & Coaching Clinic.
Blind Hockey Game.
Sledge Hockey Game.
18U Best-of-5 Ice/Roller Series.
College Ice Team Mini-Training Camp.
Travel Ice Mini-Camp Training.
NCRHA (College Roller) Exhibition Games.
PIHA Exhibition Games.
Youth & Adult Dek Games.
Summer Youth League Semi-Finals Games.
Off-Ice Training Sessions.
Open Ice/Roller Hockey Sessions.
Vendor Product Demos.
Private Lessons.
Public Skating/Family Skate Sessions.
Draft Night.
Main Event Players Morning Skates.
The Main Event Ice & Inline Games.
Vendors, Music, (Food Trucks?) & more!

If interested in entering a team, organizing a Feature Game or program, or as an individual player, coach, sponsor or volunteer, please feel free to let us know.

01/05/2024

Main Event Outdoor Inline Game.
Hockey Is Hockey 2019.

29/04/2024

27/04/2024

Another photo dump as we prep our next event.

August 12-18
Calverton, NY

26/04/2024

A bit of a photo dump as we plan our next event!

August 12-18
Calverton, NY

22/04/2024

One of the hardest parts of organizing our events is creating the player list for our Main Event Games. The HIH Main Event Games (1 Ice & 1 Roller Game) are the highlighted feature games of our event. Rosters for the teams are selected during Thursday night’s Draft Night and the two teams then battle it out on the ice Friday evening, and then on the roller rink Saturday night.

The player list for the rosters is intended to include ice/roller hockey players & friends of various playing levels: NHL Alumni, Professional, International, Collegiate, Junior, Travel & amateur. Additionally, it’s always our goal to combine hockey and entertainment, inviting a few local celebrities to get involved as guest players and/or coaches.

It’s never been about featuring the “best” or “top level” players around. That’s not what this is about. Rather, it’s more about inviting some of our closest friends, current & former teammates, old rivals, our coaches and players we’ve coached along the way, some of the younger players of this current & upcoming generation, our NHL & professional player friends - our HOCKEY FAMILY - to come out & celebrate this great game that has given us so much. Most of all, it’s given all of us those friendships.

It’s always been difficult to narrow down this player list for the games - there are far too many players & friends to choose from. But we do our best and figure out ways to include whoever wants to be involved.

As for our next upcoming event, August 12-18, the response from NHL Alumni & current players, celebs, and hockey player friends is heating up. This one may have the potential to reach a whole new level.

Looking forward to seeing old & new faces at this year’s event, along with bringing it to a new facility and community.

11/04/2024

Hockey Players, Coaches, Teams, Referees, Sponsors & Vendors, Fans, Families & more!

Direct Message us if you or your team wants to be a part of our next event!

As we plan our next HOCKEY IS HOCKEY WEEK ‘24, which will take place August 12-18 at Peconic Ice Rinks in Calverton, NY, we are currently deciding on the specific Feature Games & programs the event schedule will include. We are excited to help grow and celebrate the game on the east end of Long Island!

Some of the Ice, Roller & Dek Feature Games & programs we are considering for this year’s schedule:

•Women’s Games & Skills Clinic
•Wheel Chair Ice Game
•Blind Hockey Ice Game
•MYLEC Youth & Adult Dek Hockey Games
•Youth & Adult Travel Roller Exhibition Games & Best-of-3 Series
•Travel Ice Program Exhibition Games & Training Camp
•NCRHA Exhibition Games
•NCRHA Alumni Game
•College Ice Program Exhibition Games & Training Camp
•High School Exhibition Games
•Youth Clinics
•Youth & Adult Off-Ice Training and Team Builders
•40 & Over Games
•Vendor Product Demos
•Open Hockey Sessions
•Family Skate Sessions

… all leading up to our…

MAIN EVENT ICE & INLINE GAMES, which will feature NHL Alumni, current Pro players, Celebrities, current & former International, College, Junior & Travel players.

The rosters for the Main Event Games are selected during our DRAFT NIGHT, which will take place at a local restaurant & bar with two coaching staffs represented by Celebrities, NHL Alumni, Pro Players & Coaches, Sponsor Reps, and local coaches.

Let us know (DM) if you want to get involved and help us celebrate this great game!

24/03/2024

New HIH Event & Training location for the Summer ‘24!

Here is a sneak peak at the brand new outdoor rink currently being built at Peconic Ice Rinks in Calverton, NY. While the indoor rink will remain open year-round, the full size 200 x 85’ outdoor sheet will cater to ice programs in the winter months and Dek, Inline and off-ice training for the remaining seasons. The outdoor facility will feature 4 additional locker rooms, glass, lights, and a family area with firepits and benches.

Stay tuned for details regarding programs and our next HIH event.

09/03/2024

On the ice with & for a one-day Skills Camp at & Peconic Ice Rinks in Calverton, NY.

March 23
Ages 12+
Intermediate through Advanced Levels

Fee: $99
Best Shift Training Jersey Included
Special Shootout Competition

24/02/2024

SPRING & SUMMER ‘24:
HIH will be offering Ice, Roller & Off-Ice training sessions & programs throughout the upcoming spring & summer.

Contact us if interested.

29/12/2023

One thing I used to love about playing the game of hockey, especially at the competitive levels, was something outside of actually playing.

I used to love prepping my equipment the day prior or on the morning of a game or practice. Repairs to skate boots and glove palms. Sharpen or stone the steel. Replace the beat up laces. Change the wheels and bearings on the inlines after giving them a solid cleaning. Adjust a helmet chin strap, cut down a few sticks and tape them up just right. The list goes on.

And I loved every item on it. It was part of the game. It was the routine and the routine was part of it. It was more than just lacing up and skating on a rink and playing the beautiful game, and trying to win. It was more than trying to advance to the next level. That list, and prepping that locker stall and hockey bag just right was a great part of it all.

And to go with that, I used to love getting to the rink early. No rush and plenty of time to enjoy the moment. A solid playlist of tunes. Sort out the equipment. Set up the stall, if it wasn’t already set up for us (for the rinks that had them). Change the clothes. Tape a few stick blades. Inspect the butt-end tape job and replace, if needed. Get a good stretch in. A few sips of that water and Gatorade. The most recent days finished the last of the cup of coffee. Share a few laughs with your teammates as they arrive. Go over the game plan. Sit down for a few and take it all in. Because I loved it. I used to absolutely love every minute of it.

As I sorted through a bunch of equipment and repaired & organized a few things earlier today, I realized I ought to stop using the phrase “I used to”. Because I still do.

17/07/2023

COLLEGE ROLLER HOCKEY PLAYERS!

Feel free to reach out about our weekly summer Training & Scrimmage Sessions. All sessions will be held at All Sportz in Melville, NY (air-conditioned rink). Please DM us for more info.

Thank you.

15/07/2023

Great training session with a few players from this morning. A great group of kids!

Thank you once again, ! You guys are amazing.

10/07/2023

30 years ago today.

A group of 60 or so family members & friends traveled to New Haven Coliseum for his first game. #43, Defenseman Joe Tamburino, from Selden, NY, and the Florida Hammerheads played their first ever RHI game, on the road at the home of the Connecticut Coasters. My older brother was just 19 years-old living out a dream in front of all of us.

Here he is during warmups, bucket off & all. Eventually, the players exited the rink and when they later returned for player intros, this 12-year-old ran from my seat in the lower section to the railing that stood above the hallway to the locker rooms. I leaned over, searching for Joe. All of the players were standing there, stretching, pumping each other up. Joe stood in the back of the pack. We made eye contact. And then he winked at me.

The RHI (Roller Hockey International) was the first true professional roller hockey league. Team owners. Franchises. GM’s. Games were played in NHL & professional stadiums, were full-contact with full equipment, and rosters included NHL, other professional league ice players and a select few amateurs. Joe was a roller hockey player with 1 year of Long Island high school ice hockey, and the youngest player in the league.

For my family & I, it was a pretty incredible experience to watch Joe go after this dream he had back then & watch it come true from our seats. We witnessed him work for it - skating the neighborhoods for miles & miles, 3, 4, 5 hours a night, punching a heavy bag while in his inline skates, and numerous sacrifices. From local tryouts, to the draft & amateur camp in Miami, and finally to main camp where all the pros showed up. To this day, he’s convinced that his skating and his hitting/will to use the body are what got him through it. I have to agree. He could fly. Man, could he hit. Blocked every shot. Every pass. Never got beat. And he wasn’t scared of anything. Those habits made a dream come true.

It’s a great underdog story. And will be a great screenplay in the very near future.

Love you, Joe. Thanks for inspiring a lifetime of hockey and pursuing goals.

25/06/2023

HOCKEY PLAYERS & HOCKEY COMPANIES!

Currently casting Ice Hockey Player extras for an upcoming feature film I will be directing this summer.

Players will be featured as local Pro, College and Junior players in a high-level “Summer Skate” scrimmage scene and an expansion “NHL” team Training Camp scene.

We’re also open to companies looking to offer products for product placement opportunities throughout the film.

The film, a sports drama redemption story, is shooting in the northeast throughout July.

If interested, please message us privately for more information.

Thank you,

Jim Tamburino & HIH

24/04/2023

Thank you to the NCRHA & all of the alumni teams at this year’s HIH/NCRHA Alumni Tournament. Great to see you here & hope to build on this moving forward.

18/04/2023

The 2023 NCRHA National Championships & HIH/NCRHA Alumni Tournament in Irvine, CA this week!

16/11/2022

We are happy to announce that the 2023 NCRHA (COLLEGIATE ROLLER HOCKEY) ALUMNI TOURNAMENT will be hosted during the 2023 NCRHA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

April 19-24, 2023
The Rinks - Irvine Inline
Irvine, CA

Alumni Divisions will be determined in the near future and will play April 21-24 (with some divisions playing Friday through Sunday and some divisions playing Saturday through Monday). More details coming soon.

https://ncrha.org/news/ncrha-announces-dates-and-location-for-2023-national-collegiate-roller-hockey-championships/57825

05/11/2022

HOCKEY PLAYERS & COMPANIES!

Currently casting Ice Hockey Player extras for an upcoming feature film I will be directing. Players will be featured as local Pro, College and Junior players in a high-level “Summer Skate” scrimmage scene.

We’re also open to companies looking to offer products for product placement opportunities throughout the film.

The film, a sports drama redemption story, begins shooting in the northeast later this month/early December.

If interested, please message us privately for more information.

Thank you,

Jim Tamburino & HIH

24/09/2022

After our successful inaugural Collegiate Roller Hockey ALUMNI Tournament this past Spring, the NCRHA and Hockey Is Hockey are currently coordinating the possibility of hosting our 2nd Annual Alumni Tournament together at the 2023 NCRHA National Championships.

We hope to release more info in the very near future.