Laurel Hollow’s Marshall Warren finally can claim to having played a game for the Islanders on Long Island.
The 24-year-old rookie defenseman is in the lineup for Tuesday night’s match against the Devils at UBS Arena after being a healthy scratch for four home games over the course of his three NHL stints this season. His first three career games all came on the road.
“I’m just like, ‘Whenever you’re ready, I’m ready,’” said Warren, in his third season in the Islanders’ organization. “You work hard for it. It’s cool. You don’t really think about it. You just want to play.”
“Actually, someone mentioned it to me,” coach Patrick Roy said. “I was like, ‘Wow.’ I thought he played here, to be honest. But now, it will be done tonight.”
Warren initially was recalled from the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport on Oct. 23 but was a healthy scratch that night against the Red Wings at UBS Arena. He made his debut with two assists in a 4-3 shootout loss in Philadelphia two days later and also played in Boston on Oct. 28 before being returned to Bridgeport on Oct. 31.
He was recalled again on Nov. 19 without drawing into the lineup, being a healthy scratch for home games against the Blues and Kraken before being returned to Bridgeport on Nov. 24. He was recalled again last Thursday and was a healthy scratch for the Islanders’ 4-1 loss to the Canucks at UBS Arena on Friday before logging a team-low 9:51 in Saturday’s 3-2 five-round shootout loss in Buffalo.
“Now I think it’s just like your job,” said Warren, who is living at a hotel while with the Islanders, though he copped to hanging out at his parents’ house and doing laundry there. “Every day is an opportunity and you’ve got to put your best foot forward.”
Warren, who grew up watching the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum and skating at their practice facility in East Meadow, said he arranged tickets for his parents and sister and two other friends. But he knew others were purchasing tickets on their own, including 18 all in one section.
“It’s exciting,” said Scott Mayfield, Warren’s defense partner. “Your hometown game is always fun with family, friends, a big group of people. A lot of emotions. A little bit different, this wasn’t the rink he was coming to growing up.”
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.