The Bohl View: Hillen Developing Nicely

Hillen Developing Nicely

Mar 8th, 2009 | By Brian Bohl | Category: New York Islanders, Top Story

UNIONDALE, NY- A sold-out Nassau Coliseum provided the ambiance reminiscent of a playoff atmosphere. Considering the last-place Islanders will be likely preparing for acquiring to the top overall draft pick instead of preparing for a postseason run this season, a matchup with the hated Rangers is the closest many of the Isles young players will get to experiencing a pressure-packed contest in an energy-filled arena.

In less than a calendar year, Jack Hillen played his first game, logged his first assist and scored his first NHL goal all against the Rangers. For a 23-year-old defenseman who was playing college hockey a year ago, that trifecta must resonate. Right?

“Boy, I didn’t even think about about that,” Hillen said with a laugh. “You know what, it is what it is, I never really thought about it.”

But Hillen is indeed a cerebral player and one aware of his surroundings. And almost half the Islanders roster entering Saturday’s home matinee against the Devils spent part of the season in AHL Bridgeport.

With Andy Sutton injured and Brendan Witt finishing a five-game suspension, Hillen is being entrusted to provide depth. That’s the same predicament teammates like Andrew MacDonald, Jesse Joensuu, Joe Callahan and Joel Rechlicz are in, getting the call-up from the minor leagues after injuries and two trades jettisoned veterans Bill Guerin, Mike Comrie and 24-year-old defenseman Chris Campoli. An influx of prospects actually puts Hillen, who has played 24 career games, in the middle of the pack on the roster when it comes to NHL experience.

“I knew the feeling before my first game,” Hillen said. “I was pretty nervous. And this year I looked around and I’m like, ‘I’ve played with him, him and him in Bridgeport.’ There’s nothing to be nervous about. We’re all in the same boat.

“It’s just an opportunity for guys. Everybody’s played well. Hopefully whoever comes up and plays well can keep it going and try and earn a spot for themselves.”

Hillen scored his first career NHL goal against the Rangers, cutting a two-goal lead into a 3-2 deficit before Markus Naslund secured the Blueshirts 4-2 victory Thursday night. Coach Scott Gordon has emphasized defensemen responsibly joining the offensive rush, looking for opportunities to jump into the play in the offensive zone without giving up off-man rushes. That strategy worked on Hillen’s marker when Dean McAmmond’s initiated the play with his pass off the sideboards.

Gordon said Hillen’s goal was indicative of his philosophy and stressed he doesn’t want his defensemen to just indiscriminately leave their post and take an offensive-zone chance.

“We want our defensemen to join the attack whenever the opportunity presents itself,” Gordon said. “In saying that, there has to be responsibility to back it up. That’s the thing that’s most pleasing about it. The first part of the year, we weren’t being responsible. We didn’t have the back-pressure or the back-check. Now, we’re a lot more responsible in those areas.”

Added Hillen on his goal: “Dean made a great pass to me off the wall and I went wide and waited for some support,” Hillen said about his goal. “When the opportunity presents itself, I’m definitely going to try and jump up in the play because that’s a part of my game and that’s part of what [Gordon] wants me to do.”

Hillen barely played more than 13 minutes a game when he first came up from Bridgeport. The former Colorado College standout, who completed his economics degree right after playing two games (both against the Rangers) at the end of last season, is taking an increased role and said he is using a teammate as a model both on and office the ice. Mark Streit, the Isles only All-Star, is also a defenseman yet leads the club with 45 points.

On a club that is 20-37-7 and has allowed 54 more goals than its scored, Streit’s plus-3 rating underscores his incredibly productive season. Streit is also a good role model for Hillen since both have similar body types in addition to a penchant for joining the offense: Hillen is just one inch shorter than Streit’s listed height of six feet and both are listed as close to 200 pounds.

“I’m just trying to learn how to be a professional athlete,” said Hillen, who registered five points and a plus-1 rating through his first 24 games. “I’m trying to learn from Mark Streit; the way he carries himself and how everybody acts in a professional manner.”