Thursday, October 1, 2026
Most recent high school graduates are spending their summer at the beach, working, or hanging out with friends as much as possible as they prepare to for their freshman year of college.
For Stephen Alonge, a 2011 graduate of Lynbrook High School, summer vacation has been a bit different from that of his friends. Alonge was invited to take part in the New York Islanders prospect mini-camp, and participated in the Blue vs. White Scrimmage & Skills Competition at Nassau Coliseum this past Saturday night.
Alonge didn’t find the back of the net, but had a solid performance as his White team skated to a 6-5 victory. The rugged forward opened up some eyes during a week that saw him competing with and against the likes of Ryan Strome, the Islanders first pick in the 2011 draft, and Nino Niederreieter, the team’s first pick in ‘10.
“It was a great week; a lot of fun,” Alonge said. “When I got the call I was on vacation in Florida. It came out of nowhere. I was off the walls, jumping around. I was just thrilled.”
Alonge, who spent most of his time on the blue line before making the transition to wing over the past season, appears to be more smash than flash. When he wasn’t planting himself in front of the net in the offensive zone, he was finishing his checks and limiting the Blue team’s scoring opportunities. His physical presence drew a penalty and led to a goal.
“I’m more of a power forward,” Alonge said. “I do whatever it takes to get it done. My game is about dumping the puck in, getting after in the corners, standing in front of the net, and dropping the gloves when I have to. I basically work as hard as I can every time I’m on the ice.”
Among the teams Alonge has played for are the Long Island Gulls and New York Apple Core. He served as team captain for both organizations. This past season he played for the New York Bobcats of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League, scoring five goals and assisting on seven others as the Bobcats ran away with the league’s South Division before falling in the semifinal round of the playoffs.
Alonge’s growth as a player is no surprise to Bobcats’ head coach Ed Galiani. “Stephen is developing as a player on both defense and at forward,” Galiani said. “He’s very committed to the game, and very committed to fitness. If he continues to work hard and puts the time in, his potential is unlimited. He’s a team-first player, and a terrific leader.”
Alonge, who will play another year with the Bobcats, was happy with his mini-camp. “I think I improved my play and picked up more confidence as the week went along. There’s a lot that I can get better at, but I feel like I put my name out there. I’m just trying to get better each time I take the ice.”
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