Top 20 on the Islanders: #10 Travis Hamonic

Travis Hamonic plays the puck, getting away from Carl Gunnarsson (Photo by Graig Abel/NHLI via Getty Images)

          Next up on the Islanders top twenty list is yet another young defenseman.  He has stepped up and has become one of the many great young talents the Islanders have.  He is another defensive defenseman, and continues to get better.  The number ten player on the Island is, defenseman Travis Hamonic.
          Hamonic was drafted in the second round (53rd overall), by the Islanders in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.  Before entering the draft Hamonic played his hockey in the WHL (Western Hockey League).
          While there Hamonic played on a team known as the Moose Jaw Warriors for four seasons, and a team called the Brandon Wheat Kings for one season.  In his entire career in the WHL Hamonic played in two-hundred forty-two games.  He compiled twenty-nine goals and eighty assists, for a total of one-hundred nine points.  
          After he was drafted Hamonic spent the first nineteen games with the Islanders minor league club, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.  While there he got two goals and five assists, for seven points.  The Islanders were so impressed with his play that they gave him the early call up and Hamonic has not looked back since.  
          Hamonic has become a major part of a young, up-and-coming blue line for the Isles.  So far in his NHL career, Hamonic has played in one-hundred twenty-six games, posting seven goals and forty assists, for forty-seven points.  
          Where Hamonic thrives is in his own defensive zone.  He is smart with the puck, he blocks a lot of shots, and he is not afraid of hitting anyone.  He also will "jump-up" in the offensive zone, and is very aggressive with the puck, firing it at the net every chance he gets.  
          Hamonic's grit was shown earlier this year on February 4th, 2012.  Playing against the Buffalo Sabres, Hamonic got hit in the face with a shot by defenseman Christian Ehroff.  He required multiple stitches and reconstructive surgery.  
          However, Hamonic was right back on the ice just twenty days later playing for the Islanders once again.
          Hamonic's hard work and great defensive play has gotten him where he is today.  If he continues to play this way consistently, the Islanders organization will have a lot to look forward to in the future, with a young star leading the defense.