NY Islanders President of Business Operations discusses plan to keep UBS Arena full

Kelly Cheeseman didn’t come to Long Island just to run a hockey business. He came back to build something that lasts — something that feels personal, emotional, and unmistakably Islanders.

After 25 years in Los Angeles, Cheeseman said the opportunity to return east and help shape the future of the New York Islanders was irresistible. “The opportunity to come back and partner with Malkin and John Collins and John Ledecky and the great ownership group here to bring a cutback to Long Island is really the intriguing piece to me,” Cheeseman said on Hockey Night in New York with Sean Cuthbert and Arthur Staple. “I like building. I like building opportunities.”

At the center of that opportunity is connection — to history, to community, and to moments fans carry with them long after the final horn. Cheeseman made it clear that this isn’t about gimmicks or short-term buzz. “It’s sports,” he said. “It’s really trying to create memorable moments and great experiences for people… it’s about creating memories.”

Those moments, Cheeseman believes, are arriving naturally because of what’s happening on the ice — especially with the emergence of Matthew Schaefer. “We got one,” Cheeseman said of the generational talent. “We’re seeing it now. The upside is limitless… the chance to elevate that on Long Island, but across Metro New York and across the country, is really special.”

But Cheeseman’s vision stretches far beyond one player. He spoke passionately about Islanders fans as a “special breed,” shaped by generations of loyalty, pride, and self-defense in a crowded New York sports market. “There’s kids and grandkids that are part of those generations,” he said. “If you take that and build around that core, there’s so much opportunity.”

The plan is already taking shape: enhanced in-arena entertainment, behind-the-scenes storytelling, youth hockey expansion, deeper roots in Queens and Brooklyn, and more access between players and fans. Cheeseman pointed to events like team barbecues, meet-the-team nights, and social content as examples of how bonds are formed early — especially for families.

Most importantly, Cheeseman emphasized sustainability. “If you can have a strong basic fan base that can take you through tough times,” he said, “you’re not going to have empty buildings ever.”

Seven straight sellouts suggest Islanders fans are responding. Cheeseman’s mission now is to make sure every one of those nights feels unforgettable — whether it ends with a win, a loss, or a memory that lasts a lifetime