New York Islanders

Islanders' Bailey reels in success on, off ice

Published Jul. 23, 2015 2:40 p.m. ET

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New York Islanders left wing Josh Bailey enjoyed a career year on the ice and continued his good fortune by getting married earlier this month.

Now with respect to his wife Megan, the 25-year-old Bailey has long been in love with fishing due to his days at his family's cottage in Bowmanville, Ontario. Although Bailey celebrated reeling in a barracuda and a four-pound bass while on his honeymoon in the Cayman Islands, his mind wasn't too far removed from improving upon the club's best regular-season performance since 1983-84.

"Nowadays you don't take much time off," Bailey told NHL.com. "Even with everything going on and the wedding, it’s still a priority and it's nice to get back skating a little more now as things start ramping up for training camp."

With that in mind, Bailey's leaving the memory of his recent fishing successes in his rear-view mirror as the buzz builds around the upstart Islanders.

New York recorded 101 points to finish in third place in the Metropolitan Division in 2014-15 before ultimately falling to Washington following a spirited seven-game series in the first round. Coach Jack Capuano's club will vie for its third playoff appearance in four seasons in 2015-16 despite seeing its home rink shift from Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum to the Barclays Center. 

"Anyone that's been there knows what a beautiful facility it is," Bailey told the website. "I'm sure it won't take long to get accustomed to the new rink. The travel on game days will be a little different, but I'm sure it's nothing we can't handle."

The ninth overall pick of the 2008 draft, Bailey collected 15 goals and 26 assists in 70 games during the 2014-15 season. His career-best 41 points were tied for sixth on the team and his five in the playoffs (two goals, three assists) fell just one shy of captain John Tavares for the club lead.

(h/t: New York Islanders)

Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

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