Ball Hockey in Massapequa: The Rise of Dek Superstars
LONG ISLAND, NY – Long Island’s hockey scene has been completely revolutionized, thanks to Sebastian Giarratano and the Nassau County Police Activity League Executive Board. Through their dedication to the community, Ball Hockey has become accessible to everyone in the Long Island region, providing new opportunities for players of all ages to enjoy the game without the steep prices and barriers of ice hockey.
The Birth of Dek Superstars
A passionate hockey fan and father, Sebastian Giarratano, took a leap of faith when founding Dek Superstars, a Ball Hockey league in Long Island, New York. From the beginning, Giarratano envisioned a league that fostered a sense of community and credibility on the national stage. Both Dek and Ball Hockey are a variation of ice hockey played on a non-ice rink surface where players wear sneakers. Seeking to align with the quintessential benchmark of Ball Hockey in the United States, and taking inspiration from various organizations, Giarratano decided that his league had to become affiliated with USA Ball Hockey. His vision materialized in 2018, and Dek Superstars opened their doors for the first time in Massapequa, New York, fully affiliated with USA Ball Hockey.
A Helping Hand
Inspired by his appreciation for police service, Sebastian Giarratano reached out to the Nassau County Police Activity League Executive Board to gain traction and assistance in the establishment of Dek Superstars. Police Officer Director Rich Pescatore was extremely receptive to the idea, citing his deep connection with the sport of hockey.
Officer Pescatore shared: “In fourth grade, I got a flyer about a PAL Hockey League and Mighty Ducks had just come out so I was all in. I played for seven years in that hockey league and even went on to win a championship there. To this day, I look back at the PAL Hockey League days as one of the highlights of my life. When I became a police officer, and I knew that I could get involved with the Police Activity League here in Nassau County, I was coming from the perspective that I saw what the benefits are and it drove me to join again.”
Facilitating police officer, community, and youth interaction for over 82 years, the Nassau County PAL has sponsored over 40 activities and sports for over 20,000 children and youth per year. The police officers in Massapequa helped approve the creation and building of Dek Superstars.
For more information about the League, please visit their website here: Nassau County PAL
Pandemic-Era Success Story
Building from the ground up, Dek Superstars shot from zero to hero in only two years because of the COVID-19 Pandemic of 2020. While many other sports leagues struggled to adapt, Dek Superstars found itself uniquely positioned to not only survive the quarantine, but to thrive after it was waived.
With proper safety rules, social distancing, and open-air courts, Dek Superstars was back in action quickly. The open-air hockey courts allowed for a unique playing experience where training and competing was encouraged during the restrictive time. Now, children were not bored at home during quarantine and they could expend their energy in a positive way while learning important life lessons. The youth programs grew substantially, furthering the impact of Ball Hockey on Long Island. Most notably, Dek Superstars provided a newfound sense of community during the anxiety-inducing times of COVID-19. Players and parents alike now had the opportunity to have a positive outlet where they could act like the world was ‘normal’ again. Dek Superstars served as a beacon of hope for the hockey community on Long Island during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The community basically knocked the doors down so it was actually a very cool time. The June, July, and August months were special because even though our staff members were still wearing masks, the community was benefiting and that’s why we do what we do. To get these kids out, playing, and back to being kids,” Officer Pescatore added, expanding on his experiences during the pandemic.
The league brought together friends and families during a tough time and allowed for normal childhood activities to take place again.
National Recognition and Rapidly Expanding Opportunities
The success of the league has not gone unnoticed in the Ball Hockey world. The National Ball Hockey League (NBHL) has selected the Dek Superstars facility in Massapequa as a host site for some of its most prestigious games. Now, younger players can continue to see Ball Hockey being played at the highest levels possible right on their home rinks. Inspired by the teams playing in front of them, the youth players are now able to understand that lifetime engagement in the sport they love is possible.
Sebastian Giarratano says that Dek Superstars is perfect for leveling the playing field and eliminating the concept of not being able to afford the ice hockey burden. He says, “The cost of entry is less for Dek Hockey primarily and the cost of entry for the parent is better. The opportunity allows all children from all ethnic backgrounds and all races [to play] because if they can run, they can play. Usually the equipment gets subsidized by organizations like themselves, USA Ball Hockey, or Play It Again Sports, and it allows people to play.”
The accessibility of USA Ball Hockey programs and leagues across the country has allowed the sport to grow substantially. All across the country, USA Ball Hockey now has influence, assisting leagues, growing the game, and supporting local youth.
Development and Competitive Growth
The league has become a gateway for young athletes seeking alternative paths in travel sports and hockey. Children that are cut from extremely competitive club teams join just to try Dek Hockey out as a ‘filler,’ and the majority end up loving it. Learning systems and game format, many players end up enjoying the competitive and creative flair that Dek Hockey takes on a traditional hockey game more than just regular hockey or other sports.
Giarratano recounts a powerful story of a young baseball player whose heart was broken after he was cut from his dream baseball team: “There’s a kid who plays baseball at the seven-eight year old level who was not selected for a particular travel baseball team. Well, the kid wouldn’t be able to play there, but the parents wanted him to play in some sort of team function. So the parents said, ‘Oh, let’s give Dek Hockey a try!’ I have seen children start out six years ago, at the seven or eight-year-old level, and right now, they are playing entry level Cadet and they have basically blossomed into athletic performance through Dek Hockey. Where they may not have been allowed to participate in a baseball curriculum, they were actually looking forward to playing with their friends, and playing Dek Hockey. We don’t alienate anybody from within our surrounding communities,” Giarratano explained.
A League for All Ages
The youngest age division currently offered by Dek Superstars is their Chipmunk 4-6 year old age division. This league is modified, where coaches are allowed to be on the rink, and the rink itself is downsized majorly. The Chipmunk Division is key to player development and enforcing the basic rules of the game. Dek Superstars works hard on emphasizing player safety and in-game awareness. Each child gets as much playing time and experience as possible.
The league has upwards of 6 age groups and competitive divisions:
- Penguin Division (7-9 years old)
- Beaver Division (10-12 years old)
- Cadet Division (13-15 years old)
- Freshman Division (16-18 years old)
On Sunday nights, adults are encouraged to bring their A-game to the rink too. Friendly yet fierce, the Adult Dek Hockey Program hosted by Dek Superstars offers a competitive setting for hockey lovers aged 25 and older to play on a top-notch rink.
The Future of Ball Hockey on Long Island
Dek Superstars has carved out an impactful community in Long Island’s hockey scene, proving that equal opportunities and recreational engagement truly shape communities. From taking a leap of faith to national-level competition, the league continues to shatter barriers and inspire the next generation of hockey players and athletes who may not have many opportunities. Thanks to the dream of Sebastian Ciarratano and the unwavering support of USA Ball Hockey, Ball Hockey has found an incredible home in Long Island- one where every player has their chance to shine and succeed.
