Hickey takes the ice; HoSang requests trade, Isles work on it

BRIDGEPORT — There was a weekend in February where Thomas Hickey and Josh HoSang made some brilliant things happen for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Hickey a veteran NHL defenseman getting tuned up for a return from injury, HoSang still a prospect.

If you’d had to guess then which of the two would be practicing with the Sound Tigers on Oct. 3 at the Wonderland of Ice, you’d almost assuredly be wrong.

Hickey and HoSang both cleared waivers on Tuesday. Thursday was Bridgeport’s first practice since. Hickey, 30, was on the ice with 26 other players.

New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello told reporters on Long Island that HoSang requested a trade, and the organization requested that he not report for a few days while they worked on that.

So it’s to be seen if this is the Sound Tigers end for HoSang, whose sometimes breathtaking puck skills didn’t always fit a “team concept,” or if he winds up back here.

But if he does, his friend Hickey could be waiting, with the memory of that weekend in February making this transition a little easier for the defenseman.

“You look back at it and go, hey, all things being equal, being here now, it’s a good comfortability,” Hickey said. “I haven’t played in this league in a long time (2013). It’s good to know what to expect.”

Hickey had four points in those two games, returning from a December concussion. But it was hard to reclaim his old spot when he returned to the Islanders. When the NHL team went with seven defensemen to open the season, including 19yearold 2018 firstrounder Noah Dobson, Hickey was the odd man out for the moment.

“Hicks has got such outstanding character,” Bridgeport coach Brent Thompson said. “He is, to me, one of the best guys around as far as a quality person, leader, understands the team concept, will do whatever it takes for the team.

“He came down with a great attitude, and there he is out there working extremely hard.”

Even beyond that weekend in February, most of Hickey’s Bridgeport teammates were in training camp with the Islanders. Thompson was an Islanders’ assistant coach over the defense for Hickey’s first two seasons in New York. He played with Bridgeport assistant Matt Carkner.

“I’ve been coached (or) played with coaches here, all the guys, camps, up and down,” Hickey said. “There’s a lot of good people, a lot of familiarity. It doesn’t feel like going to a whole new team.”

Simon Holmstrom, the Islanders’ firstround pick this summer, joined the Sound Tigers and was expected to practice with them on Friday for the first time.

And now they wait to see what happens with HoSang, who begins his fourth pro season.

“He’s obviously a very skilled, good player,” Hickey said, “a misunderstood, smart young guy. Whether it’s here or somewhere else, I wish him the best, and hopefully it’s here. It’d be good to have him back. He’s got the skill set and the personality that makes you smile more than you think you would sometimes.”