New York Islanders Best Late Draft Picks in Franchise History

4 of 6

Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; A general view as hockey fans arrive before the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

David Volek (1984) – 10th Round, 208 Overall

The dynasty was over. In 1984 the New York Islanders lost their first Stanley Cup final in five seasons to Wayne Gretzky‘s Edmonton Oilers.

With a team of aging veterans, the draft was the best course for the Islanders to get back to the top of the NHL world.

So in 1984, the Islanders selected 13 players, led by 20th overall pick Duncan MacPherson. Through the first nine rounds the Islanders had selected ten players, and in round number ten they took Czech-born David Volek.

Volek didn’t arrive in the NHL until the 1988-89 season, where he recorded a 25 goal and 59 point season. It was a fantastic start to his NHL career and yet again the Islanders figured they’d found a gem late in the draft.

Unfortunately, the 1988-89 season would be the first time the New York Islanders would miss the playoffs since 1973-74, their second year as a franchise.

Volek’s last two years in the league saw him miss a number of games due to injury. Between the 1992-93 and 1993-94 season Volek only suited up for 88 games.

Volek would continue to play for the Islanders until a herniated disk forced him to retire before the 1994-95 season at the age of 28. In his six-year NHL career saw him play a total of 396 games and score 249 points.