Islanders send Strome to Bridgeport

The New York Islanders have sent center Ryan Strome to Bridgeport of the American Hockey League and will activate veteran defenseman Radek Martinek off injured reserve.

According to Newsday, anyone who plays more than 15 of 20 games prior to the Olympic break cannot be assigned to the AHL during the break.

"The development of all our young players is important," Islanders general manager Garth Snow told Newsday. "[Strome] needs to play during the break."

Selected by the Islanders in the first round (No. 5) of the 2011 NHL Draft, Strome has one goal and three assists in 15 NHL games while averaging 13:30 of ice time.

Martinek, on IR since Nov. 30 due to back spasms, has three assists and is a minus-1 in 10 games.