Heartwarming Reason New York Hockey Team is ‘Painting the Ice’

Usually hockey spectators are asked to keep off the ice, but this weekend there was a very special reason why fans were encouraged to do the exact opposite.

New Yorkers love their hockey. From the playoff-bound New York Rangers to the minor league teams that help feed the National Hockey League (NHL), there's devoted fans of every level across the state... what happened in the Adirondacks recently, however, is bigger than hockey.

Hockey Team Asks Fans to "Paint the Ice" in Glens Falls, NY

The Adirondack Thunder are a minor league hockey team that plays out of Glens Falls, NY, and like every lower-level professional sports team across the country, they include fun and interactive promotions to help build as large an audience at their games as possible. Last weekend, their "Stick It to Cancer" promotion included a very special experience.

The Adirondack Thunder's "Stick It to Cancer" Promotion in Glens Falls, NY

On Friday, March 29th, guests who saw the Adirondack Thunder beat the Reading Royals were invited on the ice after the game to honor friends and family members who fought or are currently fighting cancer. At the end of the night, "Paint the Ice" saw nearly the entire rink covered in loving messages (below).

Special Minor League Team Promotions in New York

In a world where minor league teams of every sport seem to go to (nearly) any length to fill seats, the heartfelt gesture to the community by the Thunder seemed to go a long way. While some teams might change their entire name for some press coverage, hockey fans in the Adirondacks had an experience they'll likely never forget.

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About the Adirondack Thunder Hockey Team in Glens Falls, NY

The Adirondack Thunder began playing in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) in the 2015-2016 season, and are an affiliate with the New Jersey Devils alongside the American Hockey League's (AHL) Utica Comets. Speaking of hockey, take a look at what the "abandoned" former home of the New York Islanders looks like below.