Islanders MacLean Assigned No. 32, Skates In Cizikas' Spot At Practice In Chicago

Kyle MacLean skated for the first time with the Islanders ahead of his NHL debut in Chicago.

The New York Islanders hit the ice in Chicago Thursday morning before their Friday night showdown with the Blackhawks.

There was a new face at practice, as 24-year-old centerman Kyle MacLean received the call-up from Bridgeport on Wednesday evening. 

MacLean, who donned No. 52 during Islanders preseason and No. 10 in Bridgeport, was assigned No. 32 for his first NHL stint. That number was previously worn by Ross Johnston, who played in 134 games for the Islanders, scoring nine goals with 15 assists for 24 points. 

He played on Long Island from 2016 to 2023. He fought 21 times in the NHL while in an Islander sweater.

There have been 17 players who previously wore number 32 for the Islanders. The first was Bruce Affleck in 1984:

MacLean received the call-up to fill the role of fourth-line centerman Casey Cizikas (week to week, lower body) after blocking a shot in the Islanders' 5-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 9. 

The Islanders placing Cizikas on injured reserve Wednesday morning created a roster spot.

Per Newsday's Andrew Gross, MacLean shared Cizikas' lineup spot with Oliver Wahlstrom at practice:

Wahlstrom, who is not a centerman, is expected to be the extra Friday night as MacLean gears up for his NHL debut at United Center. 

MacLean went undrafted after a five-year stint with the Oshawa Generals of the OHL, signing an AHL contract with the Islanders in 2021. 

“It's pretty special. I'm extremely excited and happy to be here," MacLean said. "It's cool for the first time, so I'm excited and just looking forward to tomorrow night.

“I'm not going to change much. I'm just going to try to play a responsible game, be a good two-way forward and work hard.”

The New Jersey native and son of Islanders power-play coach John MacLean has six goals and 13 assists for 19 points through 36 games for Bridgeport this season. His strengths are his 200-foot game and penalty kill prowess, and his skill sets allow him to fill the Cizikas void seamlessly. 

"I like him in that spot," Lambert said. "Similar to Casey, he's got some speed, he plays the game the same way and from that standpoint gives that line an identity so to speak."

In an exclusive 1-on-1 with The Hockey News, MacLean had this to say about his game.

“My biggest strengths are my skating and aspects of the game, like Xs and Os. I am good on the penalty kill. I like to play a good, smart 200-foot game and be responsible with the puck," MacLean said. "When I'm skating hard, forechecking, and playing a responsible game, that's definitely one of my assets, and when I'm at my best."

You can watch Rosner talk Islanders hockey on Hockey Night in New York with co-host Sean Cuthbert live Sunday nights at 8 PM ET during the season on Twitch, YouTube, Twitter & Facebook.