Seven-year-old Joseph Repetti attended the Matt Martin Hockey Academy for the first time this week, joining about 210 children of various ages and skill levels at the Northwell Health Ice Center. The camp, led by former New York Islanders player Matt Martin, offers participants a chance to learn hockey skills from professionals and interact with current and former Islanders.
“When he got home, he couldn’t stop talking about it,” said Joseph’s grandfather, Steven Repetti. “He’s definitely having a good time. To see the smile on his face, it’s great to watch him have fun out there.”
Throughout the week-long camp, attendees took part in skating drills, stickhandling exercises, mini games, scrimmages, and received individual coaching attention. Martin himself is involved each year alongside other Islanders players.
“We really enjoy doing it, it’s something I have a lot of fun with every year,” Martin said. “All the fans and people that come seem to really enjoy it and a lot of them continue to come back, that’s all you can ask for.”
Martin highlighted how rewarding it is to see returning campers improve over time. Eight-year-old Marcello Hamerman attended his third camp this summer as he prepares for his first season with the P.A.L. Junior Islanders.
“He loves to come here and play, he talks about it non-stop,” said Marcello’s mother, Michele Hamerman. “He just loves to be on the ice and looks forward to training, I’ve seen him improve every year. He’s thrilled to see Martin and the other players he brings out every year. When the Islanders come and sign autographs, he loves that.”
The academy features participation from both current and former Islanders players such as Casey Cizikas, Josh Bailey, Cal Clutterbuck (as coaches), as well as Bo Horvat, Kyle Palmieri and Ryan Pulock who signed autographs for campers.
“I know the kids really look forward to meeting the players and meeting different players every year,” Martin said. “I think it excites the kids and it’s awesome for them to do that.”
Since its inception in 2015 when Martin was an active NHL player looking for ways to give back locally on Long Island, the camp has become an annual event supported by teammates who now also involve their own children.
“It comes full circle in a way,” Martin said. “It’s awesome.”
This summer marks Martin’s first camp since retiring after 15 NHL seasons—13 spent with the Islanders—and transitioning into a management role as Special Assistant to the General Manager.
“I was scoring so much on these kids this week, I can probably still play, I feel pretty good,” Martin joked. “But there’s still so much reflection to do on my career, a lot of people to thank.”
Martin credits his commitment to charity work partly to mentors Clark Gillies and Boomer Esiason—both known for their philanthropic activities—and continued running his Long Island camp even while playing two seasons in Toronto.
“Long Island is a special place for me, it’s where I call home now,” Martin said. “The community has been so good to me over the years, and it’s a pretty special thing to give back. It’s something I don’t take for granted.”
Proceeds from this year’s camp will benefit several organizations including NYPD Widow and Children’s Fund; Boomer Esiason Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis; ACDS; and Islanders Children’s Foundation.
“It just shows the type of person he is,” Cizikas said. “The things that he does for the community, for Long Island, and for the people here, he goes above and beyond. It’s who he is and it’s who he’s always been, he’s someone that we all look up to.”
