Long Island has a deep hockey culture rooted in the New York Islanders dynasty. Youth hockey thrives across Nassau and Suffolk County through PAL programs, SPORTIME roller hockey at Bethpage, and competitive travel teams year-round.
Whether your child is just learning to skate or competing on a travel team, Long Island's hockey community is welcoming and active. Browse all LI youth hockey programs below.
Ice hockey has the most equipment of any youth sport. Pure Hockey in Nassau County is the top local shop. Full starter kit for a young player runs $500-$1,500.
Start with a Learn to Skate program at a local arena. Nassau County arenas include Newbridge Road Park (Bellmore), Cold Spring Harbor, and Syosset. From there, progress to USA Hockey's Mite program at age 6–8.
Ice hockey is one of the most expensive youth sports. Equipment runs $500–$1,500. Annual ice time, coaching, and tournament fees for travel programs run $3,000–$8,000+ per year.
Long Island Jr Gulls (LIJG) is the top AAA program with alumni in the NHL and NCAA. For AA competitive hockey, Bethpage Ice, Syosset, and Huntington all have strong programs.
Yes — Long Island Ducks Roller Hockey and independent roller rinks offer youth roller hockey leagues at multiple locations. Roller hockey is a more affordable alternative to ice hockey.
Long Island has produced many NHL players including Bryan Trottier, Pat LaFontaine, and Mike Bossy (though Bossy grew up in Montreal, he was a beloved Islander). The New York Islanders' presence has deeply influenced hockey culture on Long Island.
⚠️ Affiliate Disclosure: YouthSportsConnect participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Links on this page use our affiliate tag (ysconnect-20) — we earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Commissions help us keep the directory free for Long Island sports families. Full Disclosure →