New York Islanders Top 25 Under 25 #6 Joshua Ho-Sang

The New York Islanders have their share of slick, talented young guns up front which brings us to #6 in our Top 25 Under 25: Joshua Ho-Sang.

New York Islanders’ forward, Joshua Ho-Sang is a joy to watch on the ice. He’s fast, with incredible hands and his skill level is off the charts. He’s got potential oozing out of every pore.

In the season leading up to his NHL Entry draft, he had the kind of numbers (67-32-53-85) that, when added to the potential, could have seen him picked in the top ten. As it was, the Islanders grabbed him 28th in what they are hoping is the steal of the draft. He finished his junior career with the Niagara Ice Dogs and some final numbers

As it was, the Islanders grabbed him 28th in what they are hoping is the steal of the draft. He finished his junior career with the Niagara Ice Dogs and some final numbers (256-82-210-292) that saw him averaging a little over a point per game.

Potentials and Negatives

For all of the potential, there are the negatives. Depending on who you ask, those are oozing from every pore, too. First there is the issue of his size (6’0, 170). Then there are the other adjectives: selfish, bad attitude, lack of discipline.

Hockey Canada barely gave him a look for their World Junior teams. After last year’s oversleeping debacle on the first morning of Islanders camp, add irresponsible to the list.

Joshua Ho-Sang is just a walking question mark and he’ll probably spend the better part of his early professional career proving himself. He’s certainly got a lot to prove and a lot to make up for.

To Ho-Sang’s credit, he did swallow a bit of pride. He took some responsibility as well as the spanking doled out by Isles management, and went back to junior. He worked hard and did his thing in a successful final amateur season.

Right now, Ho-Sang looks to working hard and he’s saying all the right things. Considering his ability in the past to the contrary, that could be a sign of maturity.

For Ho-Sang the pieces are there, he’s just got to want to this badly enough. He’s got to accept the areas he needs to improve and learn the game at a higher level. He needs to look to people smarter and more experienced and know what they can teach him.

Somehow he’s got to balance that bit of humility with his audacity because that confidence will serve him well.

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If he can find that balance, he very well could see himself at the top of lists like this – and beside a guy like John Tavares.