The New York Islanders announced today that six players have been released from their professional tryout contracts. Forwards Casey Cizikas and Alex O’Niel, and defenseman Tony DeHart will return to their respective Ontario Hockey League (OHL) teams, while forwards Steve Tarasuk, Justin Taylor and defenseman Corey Syvret will attend AHL training camp with the Islanders’ top minor league affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

All six players participated in the Islanders’ five-day Rookie Camp and saw action in the team’s exhibition Rookie Games against the Boston Bruins. Of the six skaters, DeHart and Taylor were the only two to record a point in the series, notching one assist each.

Cizikas, 19, was the Islanders’ fourth round pick (92nd overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. The Toronto, Ontario native will return for his fourth season of Junior hockey with the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors. Cizikas recorded one shot with an even plus-minus rating in the Islanders’ first Rookie Game on Wednesday night, but was unable to dress for the team’s second contest due to injury. Last season Cizikas posted career highs in goals (25), assists (37), and points (62) while co-leading Mississauga in scoring and posting a team-high plus-32 rating. He also added a team-high 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in sixteen 2010 OHL playoff games.

DeHart, 20, was the Islanders’ fifth round selection (125th overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. The St. Louis, Missouri native will return for a fifth “overage” Junior season with the Oshawa Generals of the OHL. Last season, DeHart led all Oshawa defensemen in scoring with 50 points (10 goals, 40 assists).

Syvret, Taylor, Tarasuk and O’Neil attended Islanders Rookie Camp as undrafted invites. O’Neil will return to the Brampton Battalion for his second OHL season.