NEW YORK, N.Y. – The New York Islanders are going to Brooklyn. For one game, at least.
The team will play the New Jersey Devils in the first pre-season game at the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn next season.
Tuesday’s announcement sparked questions over whether the team might move when its lease on Long Island expires in 2015.
Islanders general manager Garth Snow says the team is “looking forward to expanding our base into Brooklyn.” A team spokesman would not elaborate.
Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark tells the AP, “We’ll see where it goes.”
Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano shrugged it off: “I hope their experience in Brooklyn reaffirms why they should be playing hockey in Nassau County.”
Nassau voters rejected a $400 million referendum last year for a new arena.
