Ty Wishart was surprised when he was held out of the Norfolk Admirals’ starting lineup Saturday night.
He was even more surprised a few hours later to learn he had been traded from the Tampa Bay Lightning to the New York Islanders.
Wishart was shipped to the Isles in exchange for goaltender Dwayne Rolonson. He is expected to see his first action with his new team, the AHL Bridgeport Sound Tigers, tonight when they host Portland.
In an interview with his new team, the Courtenay defenceman said he had no indication he was about to be traded until he was informed after Norfolk’s Saturday game. “I had not expected to get traded. But it’s a good opportunity for me. I’m really happy to be here,” Wishart told a reporter.
Wishart told the reporter he will be working on his confidence as well as getting stronger, faster and taking more shots as he hopes to crack the Isles’ lineup. When asked what he would bring to the Sound Tigers, Wishart said he hopes to provide offensive spark and a physical presence.
“In this trade we give up a promising, former first-round pick. We wish him luck in the Islanders’ organization,” Lightning GM Steve Yzerman said in a statement.
Wishart, 22, was the San Jose Sharks’ first round draft choice, 16th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He was acquired by Tampa Bay in the 2008 trade that sent Dan Boyle to the Sharks.
Currently in his third professional season, the 6’4”, 220-pound blueliner has 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in 31 games with the Admirals.
The Comox Valley minor hockey product has played in five career NHL games, all with Tampa Bay, and recorded an assist with an even rating.