It’s something that’s been happening for quite a few years with the Islanders team, something that both players and fans look forward to at the beginning of every season. No, we’re not talking about the heated rivalry between the Islanders and the Rangers. What is being spoken about is one of the most entertaining photo shoots of the season: the Pucks and Paws “Puppy with a Purpose” photoshoot.
In 2016, the Islanders participated in their first Pucks and Paws photo shoot. Teaming up with North Shore Animal League, the Islanders created a calendar where players were able to take photos with all different dogs that were up for adoption in the shelter. Islanders players also had the opportunity to include their own dogs in the shoot. Players such as Calvin de Haan, Anders Lee, and Josh Bailey found themselves right next to their own dogs in this calendar shoot. For every calendar bought the proceeds would go to the North Shore Animal League shelter.
In 2017, the Islanders decided to keep the tradition going, shooting that year’s calendar with puppies that would find themselves lucky enough to one day become best friends with a military veteran in need of a service dog. The puppies featured would all go on to eventually train and test to become a service dog doing many jobs, such as calming down veterans when they are stressed. All proceeds from that year’s calendar went to America’s Vetdogs.
In 2018 Islanders took a big step and decided to not only continue with the photoshoot but also adopt their first team dog. The puppy was lucky enough to be picked out by Matt Martin and Thomas Hickey. Not knowing what to name the adorable yellow lab puppy, the team reached out to fans and asked them for suggestions. After much debate, the Islanders chose the name Radar, a homage to late Islanders coach Al Arbour, who led the team to four Stanley Cups in the 1980s. Radar found himself front and center in that year’s calendar, and he would go on to find himself at nearly every home game that season, learning how to work with humans’ young and old. Recently Radar went on to fulfill his proper job, though the Islanders said they plan on keeping fans updated! Since the Islanders teamed up with the Guide Dog Foundation for this calendar, all proceeds went to that foundation.
When 2019, rolled around the Islanders chose to adopt yet another dog! Working with America’s Vetdogs for another calendar, they adopted a female red lab puppy. The team, once again, turned to the fans to pick out a name. Almost unanimously, Islanders fans chose to name her Tori after Islanders legendary general manager Bill Torrey. Adorned in a blue Islanders home jersey featuring the number two on the back, Tori found herself, alongside Radar as the stars of the 2020 Islanders Pucks and Paws calendar. Though she is still a puppy, Tori is already learning how to be a proper service dog. She attends nearly every home game, loving all the attention she receives from all the fans! Eventually, she too will graduate and become a military veterans’ lifelong best friend!
After four years of the calendar coming out, fans can only hope that this tradition continues for the Islanders. It’s been said by many players that the photo shoot is something everyone looks forward to, and it’s said that all the players have an extra pep in their step after practice when they know they’re going to take the pictures. Also, it makes them happy knowing that these photos will be used for a good cause in the long run.

David Lazar