5:25 pm: In other hockey news, UFA Jack Hillen has landed a 1-year, 2-way contract with the Nashville Predators. A finer organization he couldn't hope for.

Good Luck Jack.

12:25 pm and the Islanders announce they have signed Sean Backman to a two-way, 1 year contract. Of course I had to go look him up because my first reaction in these cases is always "Who?." Oh, it's Matt Moulson's Brother-In-law. Cool. They can car-pool to training camp.

Here is the press release copy:
The New York Islanders announced today that Sean Backman has agreed to terms on a two-way (AHL/NHL), one-year deal.

Backman, 25, scored 23 points (7g/16a) in 67 games with the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League during his first professional season last year. He also added four points (two goals, two assists) in five games with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL.

A native of Cos Cob, CT, Backman played four seasons of collegiate hockey at Yale University (East Coast Athletics Association), earning ECAC co-rookie of the year honors as a freshman and captaining the Bulldogs during his senior year in 2009-10. Backman totaled 126 points (77 goals, 49 assists) in 122 career games at Yale.

Prior to attending Yale, he played for the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League, scoring 56 points (29 goals, 27 assists) in 57 games.

And here are my thoughts: The kid is listed at 5'8" tall thus giving hope to some of the kids that attended the Isles prospect camp. Sean has played in Texas this past season, I hope he still has winter clothes at his home in CT. He's going to need them but I bet he will be happy to be back in his home state!

So, Welcome Sean Backman.

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