Player reveals why he requested a trade from his team.

It came as a surprise to many when Travis Hamonic requested a trade from the New York Islanders.

The Isles' defenseman revealed the reason behind his request on Thursday, and confirmed it has nothing to do with the Islanders' organization.

"The root of all this is a personal family matter of mine that I hold dear to my heart," Hamonic told reporters after practice.

Apparently the team has been aware of his request for months, and head coach Jack Capuano and general manager Garth Snow have been gauging the trade market for him.

Hamonic also added that he's prepared to play the whole season in Brooklyn if the team can't get a deal done for him.

"I've been treated like gold ever since they drafted me," he said.

Hamonic was selected 53rd overall by the Islanders in 2008 and is a stellar, right-handed D-man. He is in the midst of a very affordable contract that carries a cap hit of $3,857,142 through to the end of the 2019-20 season.

Darren Dreger of TSN reported on Wednesday that Hamonic "has family concerns in West Canada." It is believed that the Manitoba native, would be most open to a trade to the Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, or Vancouver Canucks. However Colorado, Minnesota, Chicago, and St. Louis could also be destinations in the Midwest due to their vicinity to western Canada.

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Capuano said he's known about this for months, he and Snow have talked about players in the West. Life is more important than hockey. #Isles

— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) November 19, 2015

Tavares has no concerns about Hamonic or the #Isles now that word is out. "We're going to support him and he's going to play his hardest."

— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) November 19, 2015

Hamonic called the matter "strictly personal" and understandably wouldn't go any further. Said he'd play the whole season if need be. #Isles

— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) November 19, 2015

Images Courtesy of Keystone Press