NY Islanders owner Jon Ledecky announces Draft Party and special UBS Arena events

Fans of the New York Islanders have been waiting to hear from ownership about who will be the next President of Hockey Operations and General Manager. They're still waiting. However, season ticket holders did receive an e-mail from co-owner Jon Ledecky on Thursday night announcing details of a few special events that will be held at UBS Arena in the coming months and beyond.

"To celebrate (winning the NHL Draft Lottery), we are inviting you an NHL Draft Viewing Party starting at 5PM on June 27, at UBS Arena. What a wonderful way to spend a summer evening supporting your favorite team," the e-mail states. "Mark your calendars! We will send you more details to follow in the weeks ahead."

The Islanders went four straight years without making a first-round pick, so there has been no reason to party on draft night. That changed massively with the Isles winning the NHL Draft Lottery on Monday night. Fans won't have to wait long to find out which franchise-altering player is chosen, and the celebration should be reminiscent of when the team drafted John Tavares in 2009. Fans celebrated inside the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

As we know, UBS Arena was scheduled to host the 2026 All-Star Game, but with the Winter Olympics scheduled and the success of the internationally flavored 4 Nations Face-off, the league is going in a different direction, and Ledecky provided some more insight on that in his note.

"Coming February 2026, UBS Arena will be hosting the first ever Winter Olympics Kick-Off Event. Many of the best player in the NHL will be in the building ahead of their trip to Milan and it shoukd be a one-of-its kind experience ... We are also proud to announce to be welcoming the NHL back to UBS Arena in early 2027 for another marquee event. Stay tuned for more info! "

The fact that he says the 2027 event will be "early" makes you think it'll be around when the All-Star Game is usually scheduled, but the NHL may not be committing to that format and might be considerings something brand new and unique to debut at UBS Arena.