Top 20 on the Islanders: #17 Casey Cizikas

#53 Casey Cizikas works against #26 of the Flyers Eric Gustafsson (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)

          Next up on the top 20 list is a player who has been with the Islanders, since being called up February twenty-fourth.  He has shown he is a solid two way player with good hands.  The number seventeen player on the Islanders is, center Casey Cizikas.
          Cizikas was drafted in the fourth round (ninety-second overall), by the Islanders in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.  He was playing for the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors of the Ontario Hockey League, where he had a great career.  In four seasons, Cizikas had 88 goals and one hundred and sixteen assists, for two hundred and four points.  
          This year Cizikas has spent most of his time playing for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.  He has compiled fifteen goals, along with twenty-nine assists, for a total of forty-four points.
          He was called up to the Islanders in February, due to the fact that there were just so many injuries to the roster.  In his nine games with the Isles, Cizikas has no goals and three assists.  
          Though his stat line may not show it, Cizikas has been a very valuable player.  He is aggressive with the puck, and does not shy away from dishing out some big hits.  
          It's this style of aggressiveness and his smarts with the puck, that should have Cizikas playing on the Island on a more regular basis for the rest of this season, and into the next.  

Casey Cizikas Recalled; Travis Hamonic Removed from IR

#11 Casey Cizikas will try to add spark to the Islanders offense (Photo: Brian A. Pounds / Connecticut Post) 

           To try and spark a struggling offense, the New York Islanders have recalled center Casey Cizikas, from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.  They are also receiving help on their blue line with the return of defenseman Travis Hamonic from the injured reserved list.  
          To make room for Cizikas and Hamonic, the Isles sent goalie Kevin Poulin and defenseman Aaron Ness back to Bridgeport on loan. 
          The Isles have sputtered out of the gate their last 2 games, scoring only 1 goal in 6 periods of play.  In an effort to spark the club, GM Garth Snow has decided to call up Cizikas who was leading Bridgeport in scoring.  In 51 games this season, Cizikas has 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists).  
          Cizikas has been on a tear since the new year posting an incredible 24 points (9 G, 15 A), leading Bridgeport to a 16-1-0-1 record since January 1st.  Because of his efforts, he represented his squad at the AHL All-Star Classic.  He was also named the Reebok/AHL player of the month for January.  He will now look to spark a struggling Islanders offense.  



#3 Travis Hamonic has been out since February 4th (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)


          The Islanders will also get one of their top young defenseman, Travis Hamonic, back on their blue line.  Hamonic has been out since February 4th, after getting hit in the face with a shot by Buffalo defenseman, Christian Ehrhoff, that left him bloodied and bruised.  The shot broke his nose, which Hamonic got surgery on, along with multiple stitches.  In 51 games with the Isles, Hamonic has 1 goal and 11 assists.  Those are not sexy numbers but with Hamonic his strength is his defense.  He blocks a lot of shots and gets a lot of hits.  The Islanders are looking for more physical play and Hamonic can help them there.  
          The Islanders are getting this help at a crucial time as they look to make a playoff push.  They currently sit 8 points behind the 8th place Florida Panthers as they go into their next game.  They next play their hometown rival Rangers tonight at 7.