The New York Islanders won’t be the only professional hockey team to call Brooklyn home this coming season.
The New York Riveters of the newly formed National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) will play their home games at the Aviator Sports and Events Center located at Floyd Bennett Field.
Nicknamed for the iconic World War II-era “Rosie the Riveter” poster that became a symbol for women’s rights, the Riveters are one of the four inaugural teams that begin the NWHL season this October along with the Connecticut Whale, Boston Pride and Buffalo Beauts. The Riveters will play their first home game at the 2,000-seat sports center on Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. against the Boston Pride.
“Aviator is a great fit for the Riveters in so many ways,” said Dani Rylan, commissioner of the NWHL and general manager of the New York Riveters. “With a team playing in New York City we’re poised to kick off our inaugural season with a prime market for our players to shine. Also, historically Floyd Bennett Field was home to a naval air station, which dovetails very well with our logo and name. As the commissioner of the league and [general manager] of the team, I am happy to build a home in Brooklyn.”
After the season opener in Connecticut, the Riveters begin a three-game home stand, which includes the home opener against Boston, Oct. 25 against Connecticut and Nov. 15 against Boston. The Riveters will begin the new year by facing off against the Whale in a home-and-home series on Jan. 1 and 2.
“It’s exciting to play in Brooklyn,” said Meghan Fardelmann, a forward out of Boston College. “We’ll be in the heart of it all. Being in New York City helps us with the very important mission to grow the sport of hockey to families in New York City.”
The Riveters’ final home game of the regular season will be on Feb. 14 against Buffalo. The playoffs will follow the regular season, which ends in March. In the coming weeks, the Riveters will announce on-sale dates for season and single game tickets.
The Riveters will host theme nights at Aviator Sports and Events Center, linking the team to local and national charities throughout the season, with dates to be announced in the coming weeks. They include “Strides for the Cure” to support cancer patients and families and Military Appreciation Night benefitting Defending the Blue Line. There will also be a canned food and coat drive, youth hockey night and hockey parent appreciation night.
“For Aviator, this is a wonderful addition to the already strong hockey programming and community that we’ve built,” said Dean Rivera, chief operating officer at Aviator Sports and Events Center. “We’re proud of the reputation we have and are excited to once again be home to a professional team at Aviator.”
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