Defenseman Mike Reilly was named the New York Islanders’ nominee for the 2025 Masterton Trophy, as voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.
The 31-year-old blue-liner is up for the award — given annually to the player who is deemed to be the greatest example of perseverance, dedication, and sportsmanship — after undergoing heart surgery on Nov. 18 and returning to the ice on March 16.
“I don’t know if I should say (this), it’s something maybe you don’t want to be up for,” Reilly said of his nomination. “Obviously a lot of those guys who are up for the award, they have some type of unique story or situation. Times are tough, go through some adversity. There’s a lot of range to that, in terms of what actually the situation might be.
“Regardless I think it’s a testament to a lot of the stuff guys have to go through. I feel like the hockey culture and how guys compete so hard on the ice, something pops up and it’s a life situation, these guys are gonna fight through it. Get a lot of motivation from seeing a lot of guys go through stuff, including myself. Obviously, very honored.”
Reilly was initially sidelined during a game on Nov. 1 when he suffered a concussion against the Buffalo Sabres. While being evaluated, team doctors discovered a heart defect that required the procedure.
“Obviously I’ve had a lot of time to self-reflect. Had a lot of thoughts,” Reilly said. “I think for me, my personality is optimistic. I’ve been through some stuff before whether it’s in or out of the lineup throughout my career, things of that nature. For me, from day one of getting the surgery or finding out the news, it was: Let’s make a great story out of this.
“I owe it to myself to push through. Obviously there were a lot of hard days. For me, it was, ‘Let’s push through, let’s see where this goes a little bit. The organization has been great. When I was picking the surgeon and whatnot, [Islanders general manager] Lou Lamoriello was great, very communicative and transparent. Obviously, my family’s been great, a lot of my brothers and sisters have [visited] throughout the year… I feel like I had a lot of people in my corner, giving me motivation to keep pushing through it. It’s gonna be a great story if you can get back. That was my goal.”
A great story it has become, indeed. Reilly has played in six games since returning, picking up two assists and averaging roughly 13.5 minutes per night.
Obviously, the ramp-up period will be a slower, methodical one to ensure that he remains healthy. But while getting back on the ice was the overall goal, his perspective has understandably changed.
“I was grateful,” Reilly said. “Obviously this game gives you so much. There’s a health situation, whether it’s a major issue right now or down the road, it’s scary. So obviously very grateful they found out what’s going on with me. They found it in such a unique way, I’m still mind-blown a little bit about it, how they found it, but very grateful. You set hockey aside.
“Obviously I had so much time on my hands, I wasn’t gonna play anytime soon. So my mind went away from OK, I’m getting ready for the next game or next practice. It was just take a step back a little bit like, ‘OK, although it wasn’t a great situation I think a lot of good, positive came out of it for lifelong health and whatnot.’ It makes me put into perspective and put the hockey aside for a little bit.”
Reilly would become the fourth Islander to ever win the award if he is selected, the winner being announced during the playoffs. Ed Westfall (1977), Mark Fitzpatrick (1992), and Robin Lehner (2019) also won the Masterton while with the Islanders.
