“Surfing Samurai” meets Islanders owner

John Ledecky, owner of the New York Islanders, had heard of the “Surfing Samurai,” and he wanted to arrange a meeting.

What Ledecky heard was that Dylan Hronec, the “Samurai,” who despite a life-long battle with cerebral palsy, is a Class A surfer who has earned such a cool title.

Hronec, 29, has been surfing the waves in Long Beach with Surf for All for 11 years. His friends and fellow surfers know him as the “Surfing Samurai.”

“It was a day that I will never forget for the rest of my life,” Hronec said.

Ledecky decided to honor Surf for All for the team’s Community Spotlight during their March 13 game. Along with the organization being highlighted on social media, they ran the 50/50 raffle table for more than half the game. Fans would come over to learn more about the group and to buy raffle tickets.

Over $20,000 was raised from the raffle, with half going to Surf for All and half going to the Islanders Children’s Foundation.

“It was a way to combine the two most important things in my life,” Hronec said. “Having both that platform and the team bring attention to me and Surf for All is huge.”

Surf for All co-founder Cliff Skudin also had the opportunity to hold an honorary flag during the first intermission of the game, but focused on the athletes honored.

“It was great that they honored Dylan and the other Surf for All athletes that were there,” Skudin said. “Dylan is an athlete, and he is hardcore.”