NY Islanders COO John Collins eyes iconic outdoor game at Belmont Park

The ownership group of the New York Islanders loves the idea of big moments — the kind that go beyond just hockey and become part of the sport’s lore. And if team president of business operations John Collins had his wish, Belmont Park could be the stage for one of those moments.

"There's always the question of where you can make the biggest impact and get the most people and also be iconic," Collins said on 100% Hockey with Millard and Shannon. "The NYRA guys who own the raceway would love to see a game there, are great partners to us, and obviously we'd be supportive."

Collins, also a minority owner who led the GM search that ended in Mathieu Darche replacing Lou Lamoriello, is uniquely positioned to make such a big idea a reality. For years, he led NHL initiatives that resulted in the creation of the Winter Classic and Stadium Series games. So, he has the relationships and experience necessary to turn such a big dream into a reality.

Belmont Park offers something unique that previous New York–area outdoor game venues like Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, and MetLife Stadium simply can’t match — space. “It’s amazing how much property is there,” Collins noted. “It’s second, in terms of green space, to only Central Park in New York City.”

The transformation of the Belmont area into a vibrant sports and entertainment hub is already well underway. For decades, it was just horse racing and parking lots. Now? There’s a village, a world-class arena, and a reconfigured raceway that could create a one-of-a-kind setting for an NHL event.

Of course, to make this dream a reality, the Islanders and the league would have to work out an economic model that makes Belmont more appealing than other proven sites. But for a fan base that loves the idea of making history in its own backyard, and an ownership group that wants the team to be on a national stage, the thought of seeing the Isles skate outdoors at Belmont with tens of thousands of fans filling the massive space is enough to start imagining an iconic possibility.