Training, Playing, & Community Building at Juniper Valley Park

MIDDLE VILLAGE — While many youth sports leagues take the summer off, the MVP Roller Hockey League continues to keep players active both in and out of the rink through skill development, community outreach, and tournament competition.

This summer, MVP Roller Hockey partnered with New York City’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) to host a summer training program at the Middle Village rink. The clinics have given young players the opportunity to sharpen their skating, stickhandling, passing, and game awareness while preparing for the league’s upcoming fall season, which opens on September 12, 2026.

“Our goal is to provide players with opportunities to improve year-round while continuing to build a positive hockey community,” said league representatives. “The summer program has been a tremendous success.”

MVP Roller Hockey players also represented the league with distinction on July 18 during a charity roller hockey tournament benefiting pediatric cancer awareness. The team of Jack Pogozelski, Anthony Wilkos, Max Szablinski, Luca Leone, and Henry Smith finished first in round-robin play before narrowly falling in the championship game. Their performance demonstrated that the talent being developed at the Middle Village rink can compete with some of the area’s longest-established roller hockey programs.

In the tournament’s older division, Paulie Pogozelski joined the South Shore Hockey team as a substitute player and helped lead the squad to a division championship.

Community involvement remained a priority for the league on July 24, when MVP Roller Hockey continued its partnership with Play It Forward Sports, accepting a generous donation of hockey equipment that will be distributed to league families. Founded by Drew Siegel, Play It Forward Sports rescues quality sports equipment that might otherwise be discarded and redistributes it to nonprofit organizations, helping make youth sports more accessible.

“Partnerships like these allow us to remove barriers for families while ensuring every child has the opportunity to play the game,” league officials said.

As the countdown to the fall season continues, MVP Roller Hockey remains committed to player development, community service, and growing the sport in Middle Village. Through summer clinics, charitable events, and strong community partnerships, the league continues to prove there truly is no offseason for MVP Roller Hockey.

Summer training sessions will continue through August 14. Families interested in enrolling their children for the final three weeks of clinics are encouraged to contact Paul by phone or text at 917-335-2802.