Joshua Ho-Sang calls demotion to Ontario League 'embarrassing'

ST. CATHARINES, Ontario -- Not setting an alarm clock is what came between Joshua Ho-Sang and a chance of making the Islanders' roster, the 19-year-old prospect said after his Ontario League team's 2-1 preseason loss Saturday night.

Ho-Sang, a day after Islanders general manager Garth Snow sent him back down to the OHL for oversleeping the Isles' first day of training camp, was all apologies after returning to the Niagara IceDogs.

"Obviously a lot more people found out about my mistake than other people's daily ones, but I definitely take ownership," Ho-Sang said with a bag of ice over his slashed knee and drained look on his face. "I don't think there's anyone to blame . . . it's embarrassing."

Ho-Sang said he believed it was fitting for the Isles to cut him from camp after being late and that it was like a punishment for doing badly at any job. The message would be sent more clear to him by cutting him, he said. He hadn't set an alarm the entire week prior to oversleeping for the team shuttle and that he had relied on a front desk call or roommate to wake him up.

"Neither of that happened [Friday]," Ho-Sang said. "At the end of the day, it would have been avoided if I set an alarm . . . I should probably start doing that."

Ho-Sang and Snow had a meeting Friday in which the GM let Ho-Sang know of his decision. Ho-Sang said he didn't feel it was his position to say what was said, but that the basic message was to "not do it again."

It didn't take long for Ho-Sang to get involved last night, as he assisted on the IceDogs' lone goal just 7:13 into the game.

But between being the last player out on the ice for pregame warmups and the only IceDog to not be involved in post-whistle alteration along the boards midway through the second period, Ho-Sang seemed distant and distracted at times.

Ho-Sang has yet to appear in a game for Isles, who selected him 28th overall in the 2014 NHL Draft.