Picking Up the Controller: Islanders Announce Creation of Gamer Team

Have you ever played the storied NHL video game franchise by EA Sports? You know the game with the deep voice in the introduction that says. “EA Sports, it’s in the game”? Well, the NHL game franchise has been around since 1991 and the New York Islanders are now part of it as they announced their own competitive gamer team.

No Players in Protocol: Aho Joins Islanders for Practice on Wednesday

On Thursday, the Islanders launched Isles GT, their new esports brand that will enter into other NHL esports tournaments in the near future.

🎮 Introducing @IslesGT 🎮

We are excited to launch our new esports brand that will consist of six or more players who enter National Hockey League esports tournaments.

The new esports brand will also host an event called the IGT Circuit, which is coming soon. pic.twitter.com/GOoczHSa7K

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 6, 2022

For those that are unfamiliar with esports, it is a growing market where competitive gamers compete, whether by themselves or part of a team in an organized setting.

Following the launch, the Islanders announced their gamer team, which includes five skaters and a goaltender.

Introducing our #NHL22 Starting Six for all future events 🎮

C – @NHLJClaus33
LW – @Hxndryy
RW – @Fisher81_
LD – @ny_george61
RD – @regs_84
G – @Scheckel29NHL#LGI I #IGT pic.twitter.com/qObRX7CyGT

— IslesGT (@IslesGT) January 6, 2022

For anyone that watches the sport of hockey, chemistry plays a focal role in the outcome. When playing the NHL video game, and most other sport games, chemistry is everything to the outcome, and like in sports, chemistry is built over time.

The cool thing about the Islanders team that has been picked to represent them at tournaments is that the players are familiar with one another, as they have played together for a few years now.

The Islanders have yet to announce when the first tournament will be and when they will host the IGT Circut, but the team is set and ready to go when the tournaments do in fact begin.