Islanders loan Josh Ho-Sang to Orebro of SHL

The saga takes another turn. After signing a one-year deal with the New York Islanders in the offseason -a deal with increased AHL pay – Josh Ho-Sang is being loaned out to Orebro of the SHL according to Arthur Staple.

While the goal for Ho-Sang was to play in the AHL this season (hence the increased AHL salary), playing in the SHL (and specifically with Orebro) is still a good move for Josh as he attempts to get his professional hockey career back on track.

Islanders-Ho-Sang Saga Continues

The move in-and-of-itself shouldn’t come as a surprise. The Islanders have basically gone out of their way to not have Ho-Sang around. The Isles told him to stay home last year as they tried to trade him. When a trade didn’t materialize by December, Josh asked to return and Sound Tigers GM Chris Lamoriello agreed. That lasted a few weeks when Josh was then loaned out to the San Antonio Rampage.

The drama continued this year when Ho-Sang was surprisingly qualified by the Islanders (leading to that one-year deal) and then he wasn’t invited to training camp. And while Lou Lamoriello indicated Ho-Sang didn’t factor into the NHL roster or the taxi squad as the justification, Lou invited Tom Kuhnhackl who also did not factor into the equation.

That training camp snub surprised Ho-Sang’s agent Patrick Bedell when I spoke to him a few weeks ago.

With a loan to Orebro (where Ho-Sang will remain all season), the Isles forward can play with one of the top teams in one of the best hockey leagues in the world.

Orebro sits fifth in the SHL with 57 points from 31 games and are seven points back from first in the league and five points back from a CHL (Champions Hockey League) position. With three points for a win that’s not as much ground as it seems.

With the move, Ho-Sang can start playing ASAP (after quarantine of course) and get to play at a higher caliber than he would at the AHL level.

Josh Ho-Sang will step into a top-nine that has two right shot wingers. They clearly have a need for a right-shot forward. With Ho-Sang’s talent and all that open ice, this should be the perfect spot. He’ll also get to lineup up with fellow Islanders prospect Robin Salo who has been incredible for Orebro this season.