NY Islanders broadcaster Thomas Hickey wins his first New York sports Emmy

Thomas Hickey didn't need long to prove his second career might be nearly as successful as his first.

The former New York Islanders defenseman took home his first NY Sports Emmy Award on Wednesday night, another milestone in a broadcasting career that has grown rapidly since he joined MSG Networks' Islanders coverage after retirement.

The honor also feels like validation for something that became apparent almost immediately.

Hickey is really good at explaining hockey.

That was the case made here more than two years ago, when we argued Hickey needed to become a long-term fixture on Islanders broadcasts. His greatest strength wasn't simply knowing the game after playing nine NHL seasons. Plenty of former players know hockey. Not all of them can explain why something happened in a way that makes viewers understand the game differently.

Hickey could.

During Islanders broadcasts, he would spot details most viewers probably missed. Things like hand positioning on a faceoff, communication between defensemen or how a play developed away from the puck and break them down during an intermission. When coaches talked about concepts such as "F-3" or "dice," Hickey could translate the hockey language into something fans understood.

He also managed something potentially more difficult.

Many of the Islanders he was analyzing were former teammates and friends, yet Hickey developed a reputation for being fair and willing to criticize when warranted without making criticism his television personality.

His role has continued expanding beyond Long Island. Hickey has worked for NHL Network and was selected as an analyst for Prime Monday Night Hockey in Canada.

Now there's an Emmy to add to the résumé.

Hickey always seemed like a natural fit for television because he approaches analysis much like he approached playing, He is prepared, understated and attentive to details.

The award Wednesday night suggests others have noticed, too. Congrats, Thomas!

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