It has been a good summer for North Bay's Ken Appleby.
The local professional goaltender inked a two-year, two-way deal with the New York Islanders this off-season.
The former Memorial Cup champion netminder finished up his second year with the organization splitting time between the Islanders affiliate teams in the ECHL and the AHL last year.
He says it was communicated to him during the season that the Islanders organization would like to have him back.
"The team has always been honest and straightforward with me and I have always respected that about how Lou Lamoriello and company run things there," said Appleby.
"They will tell you how it is, what they think, and what they want. So I have been pretty loyal to them just like they have been loyal to me."
Appleby was pleased with his season in 2021-22 where he was up and down between the ECHL in Worcester and the AHL with the Bridgeport Islanders.
"I had good numbers and personally I made the All-Star team in the ECHL and they seemed to be really happy with me in where I was going."
"I felt I finished off the year strong and I think they felt that as well so they extended me to another two-year deal and I think it is a great fit."
Late in the season, Appleby was able to dress as a backup for a pair of road games in Montreal and Toronto last season as a member of the Islanders.
"That is kind of the end goal every year is to improve and make your way back to the NHL and force their hand in giving you an opportunity," said Appleby.
"I am just looking at doing the same this season, whether that be the AHL or the ECHL, I just really want to establish myself as a dependable, veteran guy who they know what they will get out of me and be that consistent goalie who is going to make the saves and give the team an opportunity to win whether that be ECHL, AHL or NHL. That is really what I am aiming for."
Appleby points out - thanks in part to expansion - there has been a lot of movement from the ECHL all the way to the NHL, or AHL to NHL starter.
"It is hard to say because things change so quickly in an organization and in the goaltending levels," admits the former North Bay AAA Trappers goaltender.
However, as Appleby can attest, staying and maintaining a position in the National Hockey League is not easy.
In fact, it has been a while since he got into his last NHL game with the New Jersey Devils in 2017-18.
"I've been a backup in a couple of games but that is a completely different story than starting an actual game. I am just trying to do what I can with the opportunity that I have and that is essentially all you really can do is be ready for that opportunity and make the most of it.
"I hope I get another shot and get some games and hopefully I do well enough to stick there because that's essentially what the end goal is."
Appleby has learned that the higher you get in pro sports, the harder it is to retain a position.
"It is definitely harder to stick in the NHL and be there consistently as opposed to playing a game here or there," he said.
The North Bay native is just hoping he gets another chance and makes the most of it.
