Casey Cizikas

Casey Cizikas (born February 27, 1991) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a centre for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). He spent four seasons with the Mississauga St. Michaels Majors of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), where he had two 20-goal seasons. Cizikas was selected by the Islanders in the fourth round, 92nd overall, of the 2009 NHL entry draft. He began playing for their minor league affiliate, the American Hockey League (AHL)'s Bridgeport Sound Tigers, two years after the draft, during the 2011–12 season; he was recalled to the Islanders' NHL roster mid-season.

Playing career

The Mississauga St. Michael's Majors selected Cizikas with their first selection, third overall, in the 2007 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority selection draft. He made his OHL debut in the 2007–08 season, finishing tenth in rookie scoring with 41 points in 62 games.

At the 2009 NHL entry draft, Cizikas was selected by the New York Islanders with their fourth round pick, 92nd overall. He appeared in 15 games with the Islanders that season and recorded four assists. His first two NHL points came on March 1, 2012, against the Philadelphia Flyers.

As a result of the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Cizikas began the season with the Sound Tigers. He had 21 points in 31 games with Bridgeport before the labour dispute was settled and he was recalled to the Islanders. He then scored his first career NHL goal on January 29, 2013, against goaltender Marc-André Fleury of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Cizikas finished the season with six goals and 15 points in 45 regular season games, then added four points in six Stanley Cup playoff games.

During the 2015–16 campaign, Cizikas' line, consisting of him, Matt Martin, and Cal Clutterbuck was considered to be the best 4th line in the NHL by hockey analysts. Cizikas is commonly considered to be one of the best fourth line players in the NHL. On June 2, 2016, Cizikas signed a new five-year contract with the Islanders. On April 5, 2018, Cizikas was presented with the Islanders' Bob Nystrom Award for 2017–18. On May 24, 2019, Cizikas received his second Bob Nystrom Award.

On September 1, 2021, Cizikas was re-signed to a six-year, $15 million contract by the Islanders. On April 21, 2023, he scored the first playoff goal at UBS Arena.

International play

Cizikas made two appearances with the Canadian national junior team program during the 2008–09 season. He was first a member of the Team Ontario squad that won the gold medal in the 2008 World U17 Hockey Challenge during the season, then won gold with the under-18 national team at the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament following his OHL season.

During the 2011–12 season, Cizikas was a surprise pick for the national junior team at the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He recorded two goals and one assist to help Canada win a silver medal. His forecheck has been called relentless and he became known for being willing to create energy by throwing his body around the ice.

Personal life During a rugby football game in 2007, Cizikas tackled Manny Castillo in what was described as a "sucker tackle" and a "pile-driver". Peel Regional Police supported a Cizikas' conviction, as the tackle led to a death.

In 2009, Cizikas was found guilty of manslaughter by Judge Bruce Duncan, who believed Cizikas used "unnecessary force." He was given a sentence of one year probation and 100 hours of community service.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2007–08 Mississauga St. Michael's Majors OHL 62 18 23 41 41 4 1 2 3 6 2008–09 Mississauga St. Michael's Majors OHL 55 16 20 36 39 11 5 4 9 11 2009–10 Mississauga St. Michael's Majors OHL 68 25 37 62 77 16 7 7 14 16 2010–11 Mississauga St. Michael's Majors OHL 52 29 34 64 40 16 5 14 19 14 2011–12 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 52 15 30 45 30 3 0 0 0 20 2011–12 New York Islanders NHL 15 0 4 4 6 — — — — — 2012–13 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 31 10 11 21 35 — — — — — 2012–13 New York Islanders NHL 45 6 9 15 14 6 2 2 4 12 2013–14 New York Islanders NHL 80 6 10 16 30 — — — — — 2014–15 New York Islanders NHL 70 9 9 18 24 7 1 0 1 0 2015–16 New York Islanders NHL 80 8 21 29 31 11 0 3 3 16 2016–17 New York Islanders NHL 59 8 17 25 30 — — — — — 2017–18 New York Islanders NHL 64 7 10 17 23 — — — — — 2018–19 New York Islanders NHL 73 20 13 33 36 8 0 0 0 6 2019–20 New York Islanders NHL 48 10 4 14 41 18 0 2 2 8 2020–21 New York Islanders NHL 56 7 7 14 27 19 2 3 5 2 2021–22 New York Islanders NHL 74 10 6 16 48 — — — — — 2022–23 New York Islanders NHL 81 6 15 21 54 6 1 2 3 16 2023–24 New York Islanders NHL 70 10 13 23 22 5 1 1 2 14 2024–25 New York Islanders NHL 82 7 10 17 51 — — — — — 2025–26 New York Islanders NHL 81 10 8 18 20 — — — — —NHL totals 978 124 156 280 457 80 7 13 20 74

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2008 Canada Ontario U17 6 4 5 9 0 2011 Canada WJC 7 2 1 3 6Junior totals 13 6 6 12 6