OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Even as she attempts to qualify for her third U.S. Olympic team, champion swimmer Katie Ledecky is keeping an eye on the NHL playoffs.
Her uncle, Jon Ledecky, is a co-owner of the New York Islanders. The team has advanced to the final four of the Stanley Cup playoffs, facing the Tampa Bay Lightning in a best-of-seven series for the chance to take on either Las Vegas or Montreal in the final.
Game 1 is Sunday.
Katie Ledecky will be watching from Omaha, where she is competing in the U.S. Olympic swimming trials that also begin Sunday.
“I actually will be able to because I don’t have a race” on the opening day of the meet, she said. “I’m thrilled. It’s so exciting.”
The Islanders are attempting to capture their first Stanley Cup since 1983, when a dynasty led by Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier and Denis Potvin won the last of four straight championships.
“I love the Islanders,” Katie Ledecky said. “I’ve watched I think almost every regular-season game this year. During the pandemic, I made sure I was able to watch the games because it provided a little bit of entertainment. So I’m a big fan of the team and I’ll be cheering them on.”
The 24-year-old Ledecky is expected to be one of the biggest stars at the Tokyo Olympics. She won four golds and a silver at the 2016 Rio Games.
Jon Ledecky is planning to be in Omaha for at least some of his niece’s races, she said.
“I think he’s doing a little bit of back and forth this week, which will be interesting,” Katie said.
The Islanders are planning to move into a new arena at Belmont Park next season.
“Obviously, I can’t go to any games right now, but in the fall they’re opening up a new arena, so I’m hoping I can go to some of those games in the fall,” Katie Ledecky said.
For now, she’s focused on swimming — and a bit of playoff hockey from afar.
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