Thomas Hickey was a fan favorite on the ice and remains one after retiring.
Thomas Hickey was a fan favorite on the ice and remains one after retiring.
EAST MEADOW, NY -- Thomas Hickey may not have been a prolific point-getter or an elite shutdown defenseman, but his character, leadership, grit, and determination made him a fan favorite over his nine years donning the New York Islanders sweater.
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Hickey's story was one of potential after being picked fourth overall by the Los Angeles Kings in 2007. A few chapters later, the storyline shifted after the Islanders claimed him off of waivers in January of 2013, as he became a staple on the Islanders' blue line over the better part of five years.
Standing at exactly six feet tall and weighing 185 pounds, Hickey played much bigger than he was. He never backed away from anyone, stood up for his teammates, and did the little things on a nightly basis to help his team collect points.
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The Calgary native also had ice in his veins, as six of his 23 career goals came in overtime.
None were bigger than his overtime goal against the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs to give New York a 2-1 series lead:
"That moment for me, hockey-wise, that's right up there for me," Hickey said. "At the time, it was the Barclays Center. It was the first playoff win that we had as a franchise there and a moment that I'll never forget. Sometimes I see it and I get goosebumps, I get chills, and just a whirlwind of emotion.
"I remember the next day you still feel out of your body, and I think I got so many pats on the head, and the adrenaline rush like a headache that went on and on, and that's the best time of year to ever play hockey."
In Game 5, No. 14 earned the secondary assist on Alan Quine's double-overtime dagger to give New York a 3-2 series lead. After a back-and-forth with Marek Zidlicky, the Czechian blue liner fed Quine, who rifled one home:
John Tavares' double-overtime wraparound in Game 6 sent the Islanders to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 1993.
During the 2018-19 season, Hickey suffered a head injury, with post-concussion syndrome keeping him out of the lineup longer than anticipated.
After more than two months out of the lineup, Hickey returned, finishing the season. But due to the play of rookie Devon Toews, who was recalled when he was injured, and the emergence of Noah Dobson, Hickey lost his starting job.
When the 2019-20 season began, Hickey didn't make the Islanders roster, as he was sent to Bridgeport, where he suited up for just 14 games while prospects got ice time.
During this time, Hickey was dealing with personal family struggles as well.
Through hardship and perseverance, Hickey made it back to the NHL.
In his first game back on March 30, 2021, last suiting up for the Islanders in Game 4 of their first-round matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes on May 3, 2019, Hickey recorded two assists in a 6-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
"It meant everything, really. Just to be with the guys was big, and to contribute was huge," Hickey said. "It was a very emotional night. Really happy with the effort of the guys, and it's nice to come back and get the win, that's the biggest thing. Just a lot of good feelings right now." (H/t AMNY's Joe Pantorno)
Hickey went on to play one more season, dressing for two games with the Islanders, before finishing his career on loan with the Ontario Reigh, the Kings AHL affiliate, before hitting free agency.
Despite signing a Professional Tryout with the New Jersey Devils, there just wasn't a spot for him on the NHL roster, given their young talent.
Hickey understood, ultimately calling it a career ahead of the 2022-23 season.
But Hickey's hockey intelligence gave him an incredible opportunity, as he joined MSG as a game-day analyst alongside Shannon Hogan, giving his takes and breaking things down during intermission reports.
He was a natural from the start and is going strong in his second year, getting some opportunities to do color commentating alongside Brendan Burke when Butch Goring missed time.
"I love it. I'm a lucky guy to step into something that I love doing, and I'd be watching hockey and talking about hockey with my friends or with anyone who would listen if I wasn't in this position," Hickey said. "Our group at MSG, I'm so lucky to work with Shannon, Brendan, and Butch and the people behind the scenes. To be able to get in the broadcast at home games and do color, have someone as gracious as Butch, that's so good at his job and has been doing it for so long to say, 'What are you seeing?' it means a lot to me."
While Hickey mentioned that one of his favorite memories was the overtime goal against Florida, his career as a whole is his favorite memory because of the people he's met.
"I think once you're done, you think about it as a whole," Hickey said. "I know it's cliche, but every guy will tell you it's the people you meet along the way. Not just the people that you work with but the guys that you sort of grew up with.
"For me and for a lot of the guys, you turn from a young person into an adult, and you get to do it around a certain amount of people, and that stands out to me probably more than anything that happened on the ice."
The Islanders hosted their alumni this past weekend, with Hickey getting announced as a member of the 2010 alumni during the third period of the Islanders' 3-2 overtime loss --ironically -- to the Florida Panthers:
"It means everything," Hickey said. "We saw everyone that was in attendance, and I'm lucky in the sense that I've got to interact with the fans all the time, just being on site so often. That was special. I was more excited for the Josh Bailey ovation and Johnny Boychuk.
"Our fans have a long memory, and even though, guys, it's just been a couple of years, whether it was guys from 70s, 80s, it doesn't matter, you know that New York Islanders fans don't forget, and they always care."
The following day, Hickey participated in the Islanders Alumni Classic game against the New York Rangers alums, lacing up his skates for a game for the first time since retiring.
Being part of alumni weekend and playing in the game meant the world to the former blueliner.
"It's been great. I was talking to a few people earlier. I think for both sides, the Rangers and the Islanders, in hockey, reputation's everything, and that sort of transcends from generations, and a good reputation goes a long way," Hickey said. "I know that the tremendous job that our ownership does. The reputation is strong. You never know when that's gonna help you out, whether it's this season or down the road, a prospect you're drafting or a free agent, you never know how that always plays into it.
"'Once an Islander, always an Islander,' that's the motto; I'm proud to be alumni."
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.