Katic debuts after Bridgeport call-up

PHILADELPHIA - After seeing so many of his fellow Bridgeport defensemen summoned for their shot at the big time this season, Mark Katic made his NHL debut Thursday night.

Katic was called up on an emergency basis after recent injuries to veteran defensemen Radek Martinek (lower body) and Milan Jurcina (groin).

The 21-year-old native of Porcupine, Ontario, who has three goals and 18 assists in 52 games for the Sound Tigers this season, received the heads-up Wednesday night after Bridgeport's game against Providence, drove to Philadelphia and arrived in time for the morning skate at Wells Fargo Center Thursday.

Katic will join former Sound Tigers teammates Travis Hamonic and Ty Wishart in rounding out a depleted Islanders blue line, whose average age now is a little less than 23. Bruno Gervais is the old man of the group at 26 years, 4 months.

"When I watched Hamonic go up and be so successful here, it put my mind at ease a bit," Katic said. "He's a great player and I've played with him a lot, so I know I can make the jump, too. Just watching all the young guys come up has been a motivator."

Coach Jack Capuano described Katic as a "good skater, quick, who moves the puck well" and has "good offensive instincts."

To fill the void left by Martinek and Jurcina, Capuano said he hopes Katic can keep his game simple and help the team.

"It's great experience for our kids," Capuano said. "They are playing extremely well."

Martinek and Jurcina will be evaluated once the team returns to New York Friday. Jurcina did not take part in the morning skate but did ride the stationary bike.