Islanders gear up for 2nd season of 'On the Island' docuseries about the team
A banner for the Islanders' "On the Island" documentary series.
The Islanders don’t begin their season until Sept. 30. But fans can get an inside look at this year’s squad starting Wednesday at 7 p.m. when the first episode of Season 2 of the team’s docuseries “On the Island” premieres on YouTube.
Season 1 was a hit, according to Islanders president of business operations Kelly Cheeseman, and the team is hoping for more of the same in the second season.
“So, Season 2,” Cheeseman told Newsday on Tuesday in a telephone interview. “Last year in general, we had almost nine million people engage with the docuseries. So, for us doing this in the first season, going from zero to that level of engagement is a significant opportunity for fan growth. As we go, there's a high level of expectation going into this year, so the ability to continue to tell that story and reach new audiences with content like the team is investing in at this point is critical for long-term strategy with the Islanders.”
The series will consist of six episodes that will drop approximately every seven weeks on the Islanders’ official YouTube channel and the Islanders’ app, and will air later at various times on MSG Network. The docuseries has picked up a presenting sponsor in Northwell Health.
The first episode begins with the end of last season and picks up the Islanders’ story going into 2026-27.
“Episode 1 is really a look at the finishing of last season to going into the draft and getting into the rookie games,” Cheeseman said. “So seeing the first look at the young players that may make their roster. They might not. It's the opportunity for people to see what's coming for the Islanders, which is really important for us.”
The Islanders struck gold last year when they drafted Matthew Schaefer — both on the ice and for the first year of the docuseries. Any good show needs a star, and the Islanders have one in the now 19-year-old.
“If you go back to the first season last year and looking at the story of Matthew Schaefer, nobody knew what Matthew Schaefer would be until Thanksgiving,” Cheeseman said. “So hopefully we're going to see that next storyline. I think that's what's really intriguing about continuing to do this. I don't think it's a first of its kind, but it's the first for the Islanders, and I think the fan base reacted well.
“What people say to me most often was they want to continue to see more personal stories about our players and their families, so this truly does give that opportunity. You see a little bit of the drama from what players go through to get drafted from behind the scenes, and to the players heading into the year, and it gives that introspective approach that I think people long for. People want to hear about their heroes. People want to see behind the scenes, and that's what the docuseries does.”
Anthony Rieber covers sports media and business and professional sports (you know, games and trades and things). He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since Jan. 1, 2026.
