New York Islanders Worst Draft Picks in Garth Snow Era

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(EDITORS NOTE: caption correction) Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Kieffer Bellows shakes hands with Islanders owner Chalres Wang after being selected as the number nineteen overall draft pick by the New York Islanders in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Aaron Ness

In the 2008 NHL, the New York Islanders took three players in the second round. The first was Corey Trivino and the last was Travis Hamonic. Both had vastly different career path with the Islanders.

The second player selected was Aaron Ness. The 5’10” defenseman had some promise coming into the draft out of High School averaging 2.32 points per game in his draft year.

His talent analysis write up from Hockey’s Future was absolutely gleaming:

"Ness is an intelligent, instinctive offensive defenseman who has quick hands, tremendous speed and great on-ice vision. He is a fierce competitor who has the ability to make those around him better. His skating combines quick feet with smooth strides, great acceleration and can get up to speed very quickly. Ness also possesses the ability to make plays at high speeds – a quality that isn’t commonly seen in high school defensemen. Ness utilizes his speed and quickness quite well on both sides of the puck."

After taking him 40th overall, Ness would play for the University of Minnesota for three seasons before the Isles gave him a three-year ELC.

He’d play a total of 29 games registering three points for the Isles across two seasons. Never living up to much. And nowhere near what some scouts thought. He’s still around the league though.

After leaving the Isles he ended up with the Washington Capitals where he’s playing out the last year of a two-year deal. He’s played an additional ten games with Washington, putting up another two points.