The Barclays Center will oversee management of the Islanders’ hockey operations
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Let’s just say that the Islanders, Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center are one big, happy corporate family.
Barclays Center and Nets CEO Brett Yormark will oversee the Islanders business operations, it was announced Wednesday in a joint statement. The two entities had been working together for months on business strategies for the Islanders.
Yormark’s team will be responsible for sales, including tickets, luxury boxes and sponsorships, along with marketing business communications. Hockey operations will still be run by Islanders general manager Garth Snow.
“The Islanders are coming off a terrific season and we are excited to build on their success,” Yormark said. “Our business team at Barclays Center has met with every employee in the Islanders’ business operations and we look forward to working with them in preparation for the team’s move to Brooklyn. We plan to utilize many of the same strategies we have employed at Barclays Center in growing the Islanders fan base and building their brand.”
According to the statement, the Islanders have sold 2,200 new season ticket packages following a 2013 season that saw the franchise qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since the 2006-07 season. The Islanders lost to Pittsburgh in six games in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
“We are excited to collaborate our business efforts with Barclays Center,” Islanders owner Charles Wang said. “Brett Yormark and his staff have established a sound business model in Brooklyn. With the eventual move to Barclays Center, it is imperative that we begin this process to ensure the business side of the organization is fully prepared when we call Barclays Center home.”
The Islanders are scheduled to move into the Barclays Center prior to the start of the 2015-16 NHL season. The Islanders will host the Devils in a preseason game at Barclays on Sept. 21.
Heritage Classic details
The NHL formally announced that the Senators and Canucks will play in the Heritage Classic on March 2, 2014 at BC Place.
The game will be the sixth of the six outdoor regular season games the NHL has scheduled for next season. It will be the third Heritage Classic game, following the Montreal Canadiens-Edmonton Oilers in 2003 and the Canadiens-Calgary Flames in 2011.
NBC Sports Network will broadcast the game in the United States. CBC and RDS have the Canadian television broadcast rights.
“With one of the world’s great facilities as the setting, and one of the world’s most scenic cities as the backdrop, the 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic at BC Place in Vancouver will honor hockey’s Canadian heritage,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in the statement. “With the excitement, the entertainment, the competitiveness and the fun of this game, the Canucks and Senators will create special memories for hockey fans everywhere.”
Around the league …
»Defenseman Marek Zidlicky re-signed with the Devils, the organization announced yesterday. Terms were undisclosed.
»The Bruins and Tuukka Rask agreed to an eight-year, $56 million contract. The goaltender had been a restricted free agent.
»The Edmonton Oilers acquired left wing David Perron from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Magnus Paajarvi and a second-round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft.
»The Capitals signed defenseman Karl Alzner to a four-year deal worth $11.2 million.
Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.
