Islanders' Amey back up to speed

By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer

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Who: Bakersfield Blitz (8-4) vs. Hawaiian Islanders (7-5) Where: Blaisdell Arena When: 6:30 tonight Admission: $25 lower bowl (reserved); $15 upper bowl sidelines (reserved); $10 upper bowl end zones (general); $7 youths. Parking is $5. Radio: 1500 AM Promotions: Meadow Gold Family FANFest from 4:30 to 6:15 p.m. in Blaisdell parking lot. Fan Appreciation Night: Adults receive 50 percent off general admission price (no limit on amount of tickets purchased). All Times Supermarket locations, Times Royal Card members receive $2 off general admission price. Oceanic Ku-pa'a cardholders receive $2 off general admission price. Hawai'i Speed & Quickness Camp participants receive free admission to a Hawaiian Islanders home game with the purchase of an adult general admission ticket.

Last season, with the Arena Football League's Carolina Cobras he tore the meniscus in his right knee in the preseason and played in two regular-season games before undergoing surgery. After recovering, he finished out the season on the practice squad.

This season, he suffered the same injury in the Islanders' second game of the season, a 37-35 loss at the Louisville Fire on April 10.

"The same thing happened to me at Carolina," he said. "A lot of times you get hurt and you need surgery. You can pack it up and call it a season or rehab it, work hard and get back out there. I know I didn't want to end my season like that."

Amey, an offensive specialist, missed nine consecutive games before returning for last week's road game against the San Diego Riptide. He caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Shawn Withy-Allen with 20 seconds left in a 40-37 victory.

"Coming up with a big catch was great for him," Islanders head coach Cal Lee said. "He's been through a lot of obstacles. I'm happy for him the way he performed."

Amey will play in his first home game of the season tonight when the Islanders (7-5) play Bakersfield Blitz (8-4). Kickoff for the arenafootball2 West Division game is set for 6:30 at Blaisdell Arena.

"It was frustrating when I first got surgery, just coming out to practice and watching everybody practice," Amey said. "And knowing that you can't be a part of it and going to the games and seeing the fans excited and the team all pumped up. Every time I watch a game it gave me the inspiration to get back out there and experience it."

He attended Menlo College (Atherton, Calif.) and hasn't played in Hawai'i since his senior year of high school.

"I haven't played back at home since '96 when I was at Saint Louis, so I'm really looking forward to playing in front of my family and friends," he said

Amey has been the leading receiver in both games he's played this season, and has 13 receptions for 207 yards and three TDs.

"As a coach you're looking at guys to make a play," Lee said. "If everybody makes big plays it adds up and you have a better chance."

Amey, who turned 25 earlier this week, is a residential loan officer for American Bancorp in Honolulu.

An ad for the company with Amey's picture and e-mail address has appeared in the Islanders' game programs this season. And it's free of charge.

"It's really cool," Amey said. "Chris Dey, the general manager, does a great job helping us players out. He's giving me free advertising and helping me kind of promote myself in my day job."

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser. com or 525-8041.