Islanders' Kyle MacLean makes NHL debut, enjoys 'special night'
Islanders center Kyle MacLean warms up before an NHL game against Chicago on Friday in Chicago. Credit: AP/Matt Marton
CHICAGO — Kyle MacLean tried to treat Friday night’s 4-3 overtime loss to Chicago at United Center just like any other game.
Which, of course, it was not.
The 24-year-old son of Islanders assistant coach John MacLean made his NHL debut with 10:21 of ice time centering Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck on the fourth line two days after being recalled from the team’s AHL affiliate in Bridgeport.
“You definitely want to get a win out of it,” said MacLean, who had his mother, Adrienne, and brother, John Carter, in the stands as well as his father on the bench. “But a special night overall. I was very fortunate for the opportunity.”
As for his traditional rookie lap ahead of teammates during the pregame warmups?
“It’s pretty cool,” MacLean said. “You try not to fall and just soak it all in.”
If he can continue to provide solid outings, he has a chance for a longer run in the Islanders’ lineup. Fourth-line center Casey Cizikas (injured reserve/lower body) is not skating yet.
“I thought he was good,” Lane Lambert said. “He skates well. I can see as we go along here the trust factor will be high with him.”
Pond tournament
The Islanders and the New York City Gay Hockey Association are co-hosting a four-on-four, four-team pond hockey tournament at The Park at UBS Arena on Saturday starting at 9 a.m., with the title game at 4:25 p.m. The tournament comes in advance of the Islanders’ Pride Night on Tuesday against defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas.
Isles files
Lambert reported goalie Semyon Varlamov (injured reserve/lower body) is skating on a daily basis . . . Defenseman Noah Dobson had two assists . . . Left wing Pierre Engvall (upper body) missed his second straight game . . . Defenseman Mike Reilly, from Chicago, and right wing Oliver Wahlstrom were the healthy scratches.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
More Islanders
