Thomas Hickey living out new dream as Islanders lead analyst on MSG Sportsnet

Thomas Hickey said broadcasting “never really crossed my mind” when he was playing hockey, including 456 regular-season games as an Islanders defenseman from 2013 to ’21.

But since giving it a try three years ago, he has become “hooked.” And now he is the lead analyst for Islanders games on MSG Sportsnet, an expanded role that will see him work most of the team’s games this season.

“It wasn't until I did it that I realized it's something that not only would I enjoy, but I am truly passionate about,” he told Newsday. “I'm grateful. I love what I do.

“I know I was fortunate to have that as a player in the NHL, because I grew up wanting to be an NHL player, not an NHL broadcaster. But once you realize you've gotten to live out your dream, plus one that you realize is your new passion and new dream, I'm very fortunate.”

Hickey, 36, expects a smooth transition, in part because he has been working at MSG since he retired in 2022, initially as a studio analyst and over time increasingly on in-game analysis.

He said he also has benefited from the support of Butch Goring, who had been the Islanders’ lead analyst since 2010 and still will work some games.

“If you are an established, beloved, not only player, but commentator, like Butch, and someone new comes along, there are two different [kinds of] people,” Hickey said. “Butch is the one that I’m grateful that he is, because he embraced me, helped me.

“I consider him not only a friend, but a mentor, and someone I’ve learned a great deal from . . . Butch has always got my back.”

Hickey is viewed in the business as a rising star. He also works for Prime Video’s Monday night package of games in Canada.

He tried out for the Devils before the 2022-23 season in a bid to keep his NHL career going. When that did not work out, he followed up on a suggestion to give TV a try from Kimber Auerbach, the Islanders’ senior vice president of communications.

“I'm so grateful that I picked up the phone the next day and I called and said, ‘I'd like to try it out. Is it still available?’” Hickey said. “Thankfully, they gave me an audition. And honestly, from that minute, I was hooked.”

Hickey has worked between the benches on Islanders games in the past, as he does for Prime Video. He enjoys that vantage point and expects there will be some combination this season of working in the booth with Brendan Burke at times and at ice level at other times.

“It’s something we’re still going to iron out,” Hickey said.

Hickey said commenting on former teammates and friends initially was an adjustment but that he now is accustomed to it. Some of those teammates have joined him on the media side, including Cal Clutterbuck and Josh Bailey this season.

In a 2024 interview with The Hockey News, Islanders captain Anders Lee said he was unsurprised to see Hickey thrive as a broadcaster.

“He’s always been that way, a well-spoken guy who just has such a deep understanding of everything,” Lee said. “It seems very natural. And so I’m pumped for him. He’s doing a great job on there.”

Hickey said he feels the excitement that has come with new Islanders leadership in general manager Mathieu Darche, not to mention a new defenseman in Matthew Schaefer, who was drafted No. 1 overall.

Schaefer was born 2 1/2 months after Hickey went fourth overall to the Kings in the 2007 NHL Draft.

“He’s got the foundation on the ice, but even more so off the ice, how he's handled himself,” Hickey said. “I've just been blown away by the type of kid that he is . . . He's going to be a very, very good NHL defenseman for a very long time. I think that's the floor of his potential.”

Hickey said he is committed to broadcasting for the long term, and why not? He will not be Goring’s current age until around 2065.

“Undoubtedly, this is my career,” he said. “I want to do this. “Everyone knows that plans change, but I love what I'm doing. I can't imagine doing anything else.

“For me, it’s the perfect balance of the things that I love and some freedoms you don't have while you're playing. So, yeah, this is something I hope I'm doing for a very, very long time.”

By Neil Best

neil.best@newsday.com@sportswatch

Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.