Hamonic Islanders

New York Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic rescinded his trade request Tuesday.
Hamonic asked to be traded during training camp in September, with the goal to be closer to his family, which lives outside of Winnipeg.
He said a family member had developed a serious illness but that the issue has stabilized.

"I love being an Islander," Hamonic said. "It's my home here. My family loves it. We enjoy living here. I obviously enjoy my teammates and I love them; I love this organization. I said it the other day, being an Islander is one of the best things I do with my life and I could not be more eager for next year's training camp."

His teammates are happy to know he's staying with them.
"It's huge," defenseman Nick Leddy said. "He's an exceptional player but an even better guy. He's a great guy to have around in the locker room. He's the type of guy that you want to be playing with."
Hamonic had three points and averaged 26:08 of ice time in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games. The Islanders defeated the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference First Round for their first postseason series win since 1993. Their season ended with a 4-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 5 of the second round.
Hamonic signed a seven-year contract in July 2013, something he said he wouldn't have done if he didn't want to stay with the Islanders long-term.
"I love living here," he said. "I love everything about being an Islander, so I couldn't be more ecstatic," the 25-year-old said. "I couldn't be more happy to know that especially things back home stabilized and I think that's the main thing."
Hamonic, a second-round pick (No. 53) in the 2008 NHL Draft, had five goals and 21 points in 72 regular-season games and led the Islanders with an average ice time of 23:49 per game.
"Forgetting him being a top defensemen on our hockey club and the minutes he logs, having a good guy and having a good teammate and a good leader and character guy, you need those types of guys to win," coach Jack Capuano said. "Travis being a part of our team is obviously a good plus for our hockey club."