NY Islanders unveil two new postgame win traditions and they're both amazing

There's something about the start of a hockey season when everything feels new. The line combinations. The free-agent additions. The rookies you're finally getting to watch in meaningful games.

But it's not just what happens on the ice.

There's the new arena presentation, updated food menus, player introductions and all those little changes that make opening night feel different. And, of course, there's always the question of what ridiculous object players will be passing around the locker room after victories.

For the New York Islanders, that question now has two answers.

The Islanders have introduced a pair of postgame awards, replacing last season's Iron Man mask with a custom Islanders canoe paddle for the player of the game. There's also an entirely new award recognizing the team's hardest worker, an orange hard hat, complete with ear muffs.

Yes, ear muffs.

The paddle comes courtesy of a metaphor Pete DeBoer has introduced to his team. According to captain Bo Horvat, the award should go to the player who helped make the boat go faster.

And after Saturday's 6-0 home-opening victory over the New Jersey Devils, there wasn't much debate about the first recipient.

Ilya Sorokin received the paddle after stopping all 37 shots he faced for his 30th career shutout.

The inaugural hard hat went to Casey Cizikas, whose goal and assist included a short-handed breakaway that completed the rout.

Both selections seemed appropriate. Sorokin was spectacular, while Cizikas delivered exactly the kind of effort the Islanders want their new award to recognize.

These locker-room traditions might seem insignificant, but they're another way for teams to build chemistry and celebrate contributions that don't always appear on the scoresheet.

And after Saturday's performance, the Islanders had plenty to celebrate.

Now we'll see how many times they get to hand out the paddle and hard hat this season.

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