New York Islanders visit children at Long Island hospitals

The New York Islanders held their annual holiday hospital visits on Thursday, spending time at several local hospitals across Long Island.

Anders Lee, Josh Bailey, Johnny Boychuk and Matt Martin came to visit the play room at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park to spread holiday cheer. Anthony Beauvillier and Tom Kuhnhackl visited Stony Brook Children’s Hospital together.

Children were able to take pictures with the players, who came prepared with Lego sets, Lol Dolls and other gifts to hand out. Players signed autographs and played games with the kids, hanging out with them while they opened gifts.

“It’s extremely special for us to be able to come in and have this kind of opportunity to see these kids,” Lee said. “All these kids are battling every day and the courage they show and how brave they are. It’s special and it’s inspiring and that’s why these days are so great.”

Mathew Barzal, Cal Clutterbuck, Jordan Eberle and Nick Leddy also visited NYU Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, while Robin Lehner, Valtteri Filppula and Ryan Pulock spent time with kids at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip. Casey Cizikas, Leo Komarov and Brock Nelson visited Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow.

The annual visit from the players aims to bring extra cheer to children who are ill and may not be spending their holidays at home.