Islanders' owner Jon Ledecky big fan of the Stadium Series games

Jon Ledecky grew up playing roller hockey in Bayside.

Outdoors.

Which is just one of the reasons why the Islanders’ co-owner is looking forward to Sunday’s Stadium Series game against the Rangers at MetLife Stadium.

“It’s a great thing,” Ledecky said. “It’s really smart on the part of the NHL. They put that rink for the Devils versus Flyers [on Saturday]. And to think about the rest of the metropolitan area as a way to come back with a game the next day, it’s very exciting. It’s exciting for our team but it’s more exciting for our fans.”

Ledecky spoke after a Stadium Series-related event at UBS Arena on Tuesday to announce the Islanders were donating $30,000 and ice time at The Park to both the Long Island Rough Riders [sled hockey] and Long Island Blues (special hockey) with Special Olympics New York also benefitting.

“It will help us with transportation to and from tournaments,” said Rough Riders coach Phil Derenze of Lynbrook. “It will help us with equipment. Equipment is very, very expensive. A sled is anywhere from $1,000 to $1,600. So that money will go a long way.”

Both groups will also be attending Sunday’s outdoor game.

Ledecky is hoping the Islanders’ involvement in the Stadium Series and the planned reconstruction of Belmont Park leads to the team’s inclusion in the league’s other marquee events.

“The thoughts of everything come into my mind,” Ledecky said. “The New York Metropolitan area deserves not only a Winter Classic, it deserves an All-Star Game. But you have to earn it and the way you earn it is by performing. To have a sellout crowd come to the game on Sunday just demonstrates to the NHL the demand and the interest in hockey in the Metropolitan area.””

Ledecky also confirmed European financier Oliver Haarmann has joined Islanders’ ownership group with a minority share.

And he’s liked what he’s seen from new coach Patrick Roy.

“My thoughts on Patrick Roy is that he is a tremendous force in the NHL,” Ledecky said. “I’m looking forward for him to have a successful tenure.”

Isles files

Defenseman Alexander Romanov returned after missing one game with a lower-body injury…Defensemen Samuel Bolduc and Sebastian Aho were the healthy scratches…The NHL announced that, as part of the pregame fan festival at MetLife Stadium in Parking Lot G, the Stanley Cup will be on display starting at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.

By Andrew Gross

andrew.gross@newsday.comAGrossNewsday

Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.