Casey Cizikas is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who has spent his entire career with the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was born on February 27, 1991, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Cizikas began his hockey career playing for the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 2007. He played for the Majors for four seasons, from 2007 to 2011, and was named the team captain in his final season.
Cizikas was selected by the New York Islanders in the fourth round, 92nd overall, of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Islanders on October 8, 2011, against the Florida Panthers. Cizikas played in 15 games during his rookie season, scoring one goal and two assists.
Over the next few seasons, Cizikas established himself as a reliable bottom-six forward for the Islanders. He became known for his strong defensive play, penalty killing, and ability to win faceoffs. Cizikas also developed a reputation as a hard-hitting player who was not afraid to throw his body around.
In the 2015-16 season, Cizikas had a breakout year offensively, scoring nine goals and 15 assists for a career-high 24 points. He also played a key role in the Islanders' playoff run that season, scoring two goals and three assists in 11 games.
Cizikas continued to be a valuable player for the Islanders over the next few seasons, but injuries limited his playing time. He missed significant time during the 2017-18 season with a leg injury and the 2018-19 season with a lower-body injury.
In the 2019-20 season, Cizikas returned to form, playing in 48 games and scoring 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points. He also helped the Islanders reach the Eastern Conference Finals, where they were defeated by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Cizikas became a free agent after the 2020-21 season but re-signed with the Islanders on a six-year, $15 million contract. He continued to be a key player for the Islanders in the 2021-22 season, playing in 68 games and scoring 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points.
Throughout his career, Cizikas has been known for his work ethic, leadership, and team-first mentality. He has been a fan favorite on Long Island and has become one of the longest-tenured players on the Islanders' roster.
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