Islanders Fall 4-2 to Jets On Wednesday, the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-new-york-rangers-devils-flyers-stadium-series-jerseys] recalled center Kyle MacLean [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-kyle-maclean-casey-cizikas-pierre-engvall] from Bridgeport of the American Hockey League The 24-year-old center is in the midst of his fourth season with the Islanders, and his experience from being a local kid and his time in junior hockey have set him up well for his professional career and this NHL chance. MacLean spent five years playing junior hockey with the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) before signing a contract with the Islanders organization in 2021 as an undrafted free agent. He captained Oshawa for two years after donning the “A” and enjoyed every moment. “Obviously, it's an honor. Oshawa is a great organization, they've had really good players and really good captains in the past,” MacLean said. “It's definitely something special for me and something I took a lot of pride in.” “It was great playing for that organization and special being the captain.” MacLean worked hard in front of the Islanders brass during development camps, earning him an AHL deal. “I had been to a couple of rookie camps with the Islanders, and then after my fourth year, there were talks of an AHL contract with Bridgeport and that kind of set things off.” The first year that MacLean spent with the Islanders organization was strange, as it was a shortened season during the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was different starting out because of the COVID year being my first year, but I got things rolling in Bridgeport,” MacLean said. “For that year, when it was a short season, we only played 20 games, so it was a little different, but after that, it was all normal. That was kind of my start with the organization” MacLean is from New Jersey and is the son of Islanders assistant coach John MacLean. He knows what it is like to live and play hockey in this area. “Being familiar with the tri-state area, New York and Connecticut are not too far away. I grew up playing in these areas my whole hockey career,” MacLean said. “So definitely familiar with the Northeast in general. It's kind of nice not being too far away from where I grew up.” It has been an enjoyable and productive experience for MacLean in Bridgeport thus far. “It's been really good. Personally, I’ve been able to build my game and develop nicely, and they've given me the opportunity to do that,” MacLean said. “Bridgeport is where I've spent all my time. Good coaches from the top to the bottom. It's a really great organization, and I'm fortunate to be a part of it.” Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAzNzE1OTM3MzM2MDQzNDEw/gdmpt2fwsaaun_n.jpg] Someone who has made an impact on MacLean is Bridgeport’s team captain, Seth Helgeson. “Our captain, Seth Helgeson, is down in Bridgeport. He's been here for a little while now. Turning pro and having him be one of the main leaders is really good for me,” MacLean said. “He's obviously been a great leader down here and had a really good career, and he's sharing a lot of knowledge he's gained over the years with the younger guys.” According to MacLean, Bridgeport has a very close bond among its players, just like the big club. “The whole team itself and the group we've had for the past couple of years is pretty tight in the locker room. Definitely a good leadership group and a lot of guys I'm close with.”’ MacLean is a high-motor type of player who will fit in nicely in the Islander's bottom six. He will add a nice burst of speed and some freshness to the lineup after developing in Bridgeport for the past few years. MacLean shared what he thinks he does best while on the ice and how he makes an impact on the ice. “Biggest strengths are my skating, aspects of the game like X's and O's. 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." There are some areas where MacLean wants to improve, especially offensively. “I want to improve on, as I think as everyone does, developing a bit more of an offensive side of the game,” MacLean said. “Being a threat in the O-zone as well as off the rush, I think, is definitely something that I'd love to add and continue to develop.” After a good scoring stretch back in December, MacLean had this to say on scoring goals. “A couple of good bounces here and there, good chemistry with linemates as well,” MacLean said. “Sometimes scoring is funny, you get a lot of chances that you think should go in, but they don't, and then other times, it feels a bit easier, and the pucks just going your way. I think I've gotten a couple of good bounces. "I've had good chances leading up to a couple of goals. So yeah, just continue to stay on it, work to get pucks back, and shoot the puck as well. So, things like that have been helping me out. If you build more chemistry with your linemates, you’ll keep getting those chances. For me, I think hunting pucks and getting pucks deep that those bounces will continue to come and keep putting it in.” It is unclear who MacLean will play within the NHL, but he is rumored to be slotting in on the fourth line, replacing Casey Cizikas (week to week, lower body), who was just placed on injured reserve. MacLean believes he must focus on doing his job to the best of his ability. “Everybody's got a job, and they have a role,” MacLean said. “I think you just have to stick to it, trust it, and not deviate and try to do anybody else's job or get away from what you're good at. I think just kind of sticking to what I do well, do it well, and things will fall into place.” The grinding center is now getting the chance to make the jump to the NHL in what is a very important time for the Islanders. The team needs a spark, and MacLean has a chance to be that. MacLean has six goals and 13 assists for 19 points through 36 games for Bridgeport this season. He will look to make his mark in the NHL starting on Friday, with the Islanders battling the Chicago Blackhawks. You can watch Rosner talk Islanders hockey on Hockey Night in New York [http://hockeynightny.com/] with co-host Sean Cuthbert [https://twitter.com/seanyhockey] live Sunday nights at 8 PM ET during the season on Twitch [https://www.twitch.tv/hockeynightny], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@hockeynightny], Twitter [https://twitter.com/hockeynightny] & Facebook [https://facebook.com/hockeynightny]. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAzNjA2MzgxNTc4NjkyNTM5/hockey-night.jpg] TOP STORIES
