Mumps blocks visit of Islanders to Cohen

Bryan Ahrens

Visits to Long Island hospitals, which included Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park, by the New York Islanders were postponed on Dec. 16 due to a mumps outbreak among National Hockey League teams, according to a news release from the team.

Toys, which were purchased through donations from Package All Corp. and the New York Islanders Children’s Foundation, were given to Cohen’s to distribute to children on Dec. 16, the release said.

 “We’re extremely disappointed that the event has been postponed, but understand the circumstances,” Islanders forward Kyle Okposo, one of the players scheduled to visit the hospital, said in the release. “This has always been one of our favorite events to take part in because seeing a child smile when we give them a gift or take a picture with them is what the holiday season is all about.”

The visit of six of the teams players, including Okposo, forward Matt Martin, team captain John Tavares, alternate captain Frans Nielson, defensemen Travis Hamonic and Johnny Boychuck, originally scheduled for 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, was postponed in the interest of the children’s safety, the release said.

According to the release, Islanders players, coaches, hockey operations and traveling team personnel all received the mumps vaccine and have shown no symptoms of infection as of Dec. 16.

“Nonetheless to assure the health and wellness of hospitalized children, the organization has decided to be extremely cautious and postpone this important event,” the release stated.

The release said information on a new date will be made available once it has been rescheduled.

“We’re happy the children will still receive the gifts and look forward to visiting the local hospitals soon,” Okposo said in the release.

Reach reporter Bryan Ahrens by e-mail at bahrens@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x204. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.

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