BREAKING: New York Islanders Super star center Mathew Barzal Donates entire $35.5 million Sportsmanship deal to Charities and homeless Relief; He Said There Are Millions Of People Struggling Everyday, Families Without Homes, Kids without food, Veterans without support; If I Can Be a… 

New York Islanders Super star center Mathew Barzal Donates entire $35.5 million Sportsmanship deal to Charities and homeless Relief; He Said There Are Millions Of People Struggling Everyday, Families Without Homes, Kids without food, Veterans without support; If I Can Be a…

In a remarkable act of compassion and generosity, New York Islanders superstar center Mathew Barzal has announced he will donate the entirety of his newly signed $35.5 million contract to charities focused on homeless relief, food insecurity, and veteran support.

The 28-year-old fan favorite made the announcement earlier this week at a press conference held at UBS Arena, where he delivered an emotional message that resonated far beyond the world of sports.

“There are millions of people struggling every day,” Barzal said, pausing at times to compose himself. “Families without homes. Kids without food. Veterans who fought for us and have been forgotten. If I can be a small part of changing that — even just for a few — then this money has more value in their hands than in mine.”

The announcement came just days after Barzal signed what many called a “sportsmanship deal,” a five-year, $35.5 million extension that included performance bonuses and incentives that he requested be redirected to non-profit causes. What stunned even seasoned reporters and hockey insiders was his decision to forgo all of that money for the greater good.

Barzal has earmarked his entire salary toward a mix of grassroots and national organizations, including local New York City homeless shelters, food banks across the Tri-State area, national children’s hunger relief programs, and veteran housing initiatives. The Islanders’ center has long been involved in community work, but this bold step marks the most significant philanthropic commitment of his career — and possibly of any active professional athlete in recent memory.

“This isn’t about me,” he emphasized. “It’s about what’s happening outside the rinks, outside the arenas. Every day I drive to the practice facility, I see the tents under the bridges. I see the people sleeping on benches, kids waiting in food lines. That just doesn’t sit right with me.”

Barzal’s teammates and coaches were visibly moved by the gesture.

“We’ve always known Mat has a huge heart,” said Islanders head coach Lane Lambert. “He leads with kindness, on and off the ice. But this? This is something else. It’s inspiring to all of us — a reminder of what really matters.”

Veteran winger Anders Lee, who has shared the locker room with Barzal for years, added: “He’s showing the world that being a great athlete isn’t just about stats and trophies. It’s about how you use your platform when people are watching. And even more so, when they’re not.”

The NHL has seen its share of charitable acts, from community events to foundation work, but Barzal’s decision to forgo his entire contract is virtually unprecedented. League Commissioner Gary Bettman praised the move, calling it “a defining moment for the NHL and for professional sports at large.”

“Mathew Barzal has demonstrated that sportsmanship isn’t just about how you play the game,” Bettman said in a statement. “It’s about integrity, heart, and a commitment to humanity. His decision will have a ripple effect far beyond hockey.”

Fans across the league, even rival ones, took to social media to applaud the Islanders star. Hashtags like #BarzalGivesBack and #TrueMVP began trending shortly after the news broke.

“He could’ve bought cars, houses, whatever. Instead, he chose to feed kids and shelter veterans. That’s what a hero looks like,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Barzal insisted the decision wasn’t spur of the moment. He revealed that the idea had been growing over the past couple of years as he became more involved in volunteer efforts during the offseason. Spending time with families affected by poverty, particularly children, had a deep impact on him.

“I remember one little girl at a food bank in Queens,” he said. “She asked if I was rich. I said, ‘Kind of.’ And she said, ‘You’re lucky you get to eat whenever you want.’ That stuck with me. It haunted me. Because that shouldn’t be a luxury — it should be a right.”

For Barzal, the donation isn’t the end of the journey — it’s the beginning. He plans to launch a foundation later this year dedicated to long-term solutions for homelessness, hunger, and veteran care. He’s also encouraging other athletes and public figures to “look beyond the scoreboard” and see the human stories waiting for help.

As for his teammates, many are already discussing ways to support Barzal’s causes — from matching donations to organizing fundraising games.

“Every shift, every play he makes, he does it with heart,” Lee said. “Now we’ve seen that his heart’s even bigger than we thought.”

Barzal finished the press conference with a quiet, powerful statement:

1. “If I can be a reason someone sleeps indoors tonight, or a reason a child gets to eat a warm meal — then that’s the best win I’ll ever have.”