The New Jersey Devils announced today that defenseman Thomas Hickey has signed a Professional Tryout contract (PTO). Hickey will join New Jersey when all players report to NHL camp on Wednesday, September 21 at the Prudential Center. The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Tom Fitzgerald.
Hickey, 33, spent parts of the last nine seasons with the New York Islanders, starting in 2012-13. The defenseman totaled 117 career points (22g-95a) in 456 regular-season games and collected six points (1g-5a) in 24 career Stanley Cup Playoff games with New York. The 6’0″, 185lbs. blueliner earned a career-high 25 points (5g-20a) in 2017-18, and his career-high plus/minus rating of +20 led the Islanders for the 2017-18 campaign. Last year , Hickey played in 29 regular-season games in the American Hockey League (AHL) with Bridgeport and then 15 contests with Ontario, and posted six goals and 12 assists for 18 total points.
Born February 8, 1989, the native of Calgary, Alberta was Los Angeles’ first-round selection, fourth overall, in the 2007 NHL Draft. Hickey skated in his NHL debut on Jan. 27, 2013, and earned his first career goal in overtime vs. Montreal on Feb. 21, 2013. The lefthanded shot has also played in 272 career contests at the AHL level since 2008-09 for Manchester (2008-09 to 2012-13), Bridgeport (2018-19 to 2019-20 and 2021-22) and Ontario. (2021-22).
Hickey represented his home country in international play and participated in the International Ice Hockey Federation’s (IIHF) World Junior Championship (WJC) in 2007-08 and 2008-09. He was named team captain for Canada in 2008-09 and helped Canada win a Gold Medal at both tournaments.
Players attending camp on PTOs are unsigned veteran players who are looking to earn a contract with the club heading into the 2022-23 NHL season.