Bridgeport's Gillies to join Islanders Saturday
RALEIGH, N.C. - The Islanders agreed to terms with Bridgeport enforcer Trevor Gillies on a two-way contract for the remainder of this season Thursday.
Gillies, who ranks 13th in the AHL with 123 penalty minutes in 18 games with the Sound Tigers, is expected to join the team in Philadelphia Saturday. His uncle is Islanders Hall of Famer Clark Gillies.
Earlier this week, coach Scott Gordon expressed the need for his team to play more physical. The move to bring up the 6-3, 220-pound Gillies indicates a commitment to add size and toughness to the Islanders' roster.
Prospect has surgery
Islanders prospect Calvin de Haan underwent successful surgery to repair a torn labrum Thursday.
De Haan, the Islanders' other first-round draft pick in 2009 (12th overall) after they selected John Tavares No. 1 overall, suffered the shoulder injury while playing for the Ontario Hockey League's Oshawa Generals Sunday. The highly regarded defensive prospect is expected to miss six months.
Kohn gets another chance
Defenseman Jack Hillen was discharged from a Long Island hospital after undergoing surgery late Tuesday night to repair a broken jaw and damaged teeth.
Hillen, who was injured after taking an Alex Ovechkin slap shot to the face during the Islanders' 7-2 loss to Washington Tuesday, will be out six to eight weeks.
Hillen's absence provides an extended opportunity for defenseman Dustin Kohn to build upon his first stint with the team. Kohn, who was called up from Bridgeport while Andy Sutton served a two-game suspension last week, was recalled Wednesday to replace Hillen.
"They are big shoes to fill," Gordon said. "It's not like we expect him to fill them completely, but he can certainly help the other five guys out."