BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Former Central Hockey League forward Rob Hisey, who led the Tulsa Oilers in scoring before being called up last season, has found a home in Connecticut with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League. The Sound Tigers are the AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s New York Islanders.
Photo courtesy of the New York Islanders
Hisey, 26, got New York Islanders General Manager Garth Snow’s attention thanks to his breakthrough 2009-10 season with the CHL’s Tulsa Oilers and the AHL’s Springfield Falcons. In August, Hisey signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Islanders and attended their training camp in September.
The 26-year-old native of Oakville, Ontario spent his first four pro seasons in Europe, playing in Finland, Germany, Austria and Sweden after an impressive Major Junior career in the Ontario Hockey League. He was previously on the Dallas Stars’ radar and attended their training camps as a free agent between 2003 and 2005.
At 5-9, 180-pounds, Hisey was arguably the best player in the CHL through the league’s first 20 games last season. In 24 games with the Oilers, Hisey had registered 41 points (19 G, 22 A) and 27 penalty minutes. His 19 goals led the league at the time of his call-up to Springfield. The forward was voted to start the 2010 CHL All-Star game but was unable to attend because of his roster presence in the AHL.
Size has never been a factor for the diminutive center – overall, and especially in the offensive zone, he does not get pushed around.
“My year here, so far at least, proves that size doesn’t matter that much as long as you can play,” Hisey told Masslive.com. “You look at the NHL, and a lot of smaller guys are making great careers.”
A playmaker that can be creative offensively, Hisey has been very effective in 4-on-4 situations and has a scorer’s knack on breakaways, which makes him especially valuable in shootouts.
“When I was younger, I was more of a playmaker and after I turned pro I started to put the puck into the net a little bit more,” Hisey said. “I just think it comes with the confidence after playing for awhile. At my size, you try and do things on the ice to get noticed. I know that I’m going to need to score in order to move up in hockey.”
Signed by the Falcons to a Professional Tryout Agreement on December 28, 2009 , Hisey was championed for his work ethic on a team that was struggling at the bottom of the league standings. Hisey revitalized the team with his scoring prowess and tallied 25 points (11 G, 14 A) in 37 games played.
Another CHL alumnus, Jean Bourbeau, has dressed in 10 games with the Sound Tigers this season, recording 19 penalty minutes. Borbeau, 26, contributed 46 points (22 G, 24 A) and 170 penalty minutes in 110 regular season and 24 playoff games with the Odessa Jackalopes, the CHL affiliate of the Islanders.
Contact the author/photographer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com
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