Casey Cizikas of the New York Islanders skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the New York Rangers at Nassau Coliseum on April 9, 2021. Credit: Getty Images/Bruce Bennett
Casey Cizikas’ dedication and perseverance certainly was tested last season, between a left leg lacerated by a skate blade and a detached retina in the playoffs.
Yet the sparkplug center entered Monday’s regular-season finale in Boston having played in every Islanders game.
Earlier on Monday, Cizikas was announced as the Islanders’ nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey as voted upon by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.