Mike Reilly: What The Masterton Trophy Is All About

The 31-year-old defenseman overcame a heart defect.

Stefen Rosner

and

The Elmonters

Apr 09, 2025

Over the next few days, NHL teams will announce their Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy nominees as voted on by the PHWA.

The Masterton is awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey.

Defenseman Mike Reilly is the Islanders’ nominee.

On Nov. 1 against the Buffalo Sabres, Reilly went to play the puck along the boards in the second period when he got hit hard by Sabres forward Jordan Greenway.

After the initial hit, Reilly banged his head on the ice, knocking him out cold for a few before eventually being helped on the ice.

Initially, his diagnosis was a concussion, but shortly after, extensive tests revealed that while Reilly did have a concussion, he also had a previous undiagnosed heart condition, something that he had been born with.

The condition led to a heart procedure, which took place on Nov. 19. He was to be out indefinitely with no definite answer as to whether he’d be able to return this season.

But after recovering, putting in the work on and off the ice, Reilly made his return to the lineup on March 16, just 135 days later.

“It’s been pretty tough,” Reilly said following the Islanders’ 4-2 come-from-behind win against the Florida Panthers. “Just to be back, it's special. Obviously a lot of work went into it, some unknowns at times. But all in all, it’s good to be back. The goal was to get back for the end of the season. And I'm glad that happened.”

Islanders head coach Patrick Roy understood how hard Reilly worked to get back and wasn’t surprised to see him play well despite the time off.

“He's very determined to play. That's the first thing when someone comes back,” Roy said that same night. “I don't know how it feels to have what he had, but he was determined to play well. He wanted it, he cares, and I think good things happen in those situations. That's why I said I wasn't surprised to see him play well. It could have been either way, but I wasn't surprised, because of all the effort and all the hard work he put in before that game.”

Here’s what some of his teammates have had to say about seeing Reilly get back this season:

Anders Lee: “I can't say enough about Mikey and his journey and how he's handled all this. I'm just really proud of him. Going five months, four months, whatever it is, that's a long time without playing a hockey game … It's tough because you miss him, because you don't get to see him as much. He's not on the road with you and you know what's at stake. You know the importance of every year and how much work goes into it, just to be ready for the fall, and, and then a little bit, other than moral support, you're a little bit helpless. Because he's going through this thing and has to time himself on the process, when he can push himself and when he has to back off. There were a lot of doctors’ appointments for him and a lot to think about. He climbed a tall mountain to get here tonight, and I’m really proud of him.”

March Gatcomb: “It was great. I mean, he's the epitome of a good teammate. He had a tough couple of months, and everyone's so happy for him, and we're so proud of him. He's done a great job. Around the rink, he always has a smile on his face. He's just super friendly to be around, and I’m really happy for him.”

The last Islanders player to win the Masterton was Robin Lehner, in 2019.