Desperate Islanders call up defenseman Hamonic

It was through his roommate that Travis Hamonic first learned that he was the latest call-up to be thrust into the Islanders' depleted defensive corps.

"I kind of got bug-eyed for a second," Hamonic said. "I ran up to my room, checked my phone and had a couple missed calls. So I called my coach back in Bridgeport and he told me the good news."

The good news was that the 20-year-old defenseman would be making his NHL debut Wednesday when the Islanders take on Columbus. The bad news, however, is that he joins a team mired in a 13-game losing streak and inching dangerously close to the franchise record of 15 straight winless games from Nov. 22-Dec. 20, 1972, the Islanders first season in the NHL.

"Obviously, there's going to be a lot of excitement and a lot of nerves," he said. "But for me, I just want to make sure that I go into the game playing calm and knowing that I got here doing what I've been doing."

Hamonic was recalled to replace Mike Mottau, who became the fifth regular Islanders defenseman to miss time this season after being struck in the right eye with a puck Sunday against Atlanta. Mottau spent two nights in an Atlanta hospital before being cleared Tuesday to fly back to New York.

The 6-2, 208 pound Hamonic - who was selected in the second round of the 2008 NHL entry draft - joins the Islanders after 19 games in Bridgeport, where he had two goals and five assists. Hamonic feels that his stint with Bridgeport, although brief, was crucial to his development.

"I learned how to use my body better to my ability with the guys being bigger and stronger," he said. "It was a big learning curve and I'm glad I had that opportunity to really develop my game. But I think I'm ready to make an impact here in the NHL."

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Hamonic was paired with James Wisniewski at practice and also reunited with Jack Capuano, who was his coach at Bridgeport until being named the Islanders' interim coach last Monday.

"He's a young prospect that shoots the puck extremely well and plays physical," Capuano said. "He's come a long way the first month and a half or two at Bridgeport . . . I think he'll adjust fairly quickly."

Added Hamonic: "Obviously, there is a lot of familiarity between Jack and myself. I think I had a lot of success under his systems in Bridgeport and hopefully, I can continue that success up here with the Islanders."

Notes & quotes: Defenseman Jack Hillen, who hasn't played since Nov. 11, was cleared to skate Tuesday at practice for the first time since being diagnosed with a concussion.