2024 Calendar Good Friday

Islanders Enjoy Pucks and Paws Shoot for 2024 Calendar

It costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and pair a service dog to a military veteran, first responder or an active-duty service member with disabilities. All services are provided at no charge to the individual as funding comes from the generosity of individuals, corporations, and service and fraternal clubs.

The annual shoot stirs excitement among the players, who have a soft spot for the dogs and look forward to bonding with the pups every year.

“It’s one of those events that you circle in the calendar,” JG Pageau said. “I think most of the guys have pets at home, so it’s fun to get to meet all the dogs today.”

Embarking on his Islanders journey is Jethro, an 11-week-old, male yellow Labrador Retriever puppy, chosen as the fourth pup in the New York Islanders’ Puppy with a Purpose program. The future service dog’s name, which won a fan vote, is a nod to late Islanders legend Clark Gillies, who had that nickname bestowed on him by the team’s original captain Eddie Westfall.

“The fans picked an awesome name this year,” Captain Anders Lee said. “It’s always exciting to have a team dog, one that’s going to go on and do some great things and it’ll be so fun to see this little guy grow up.”