Islanders three most improved prospects in the system

Alex Jefferies | Merrimack University

Starting Rank: 24
Ending Rank: 13

Where they were (and what they did)

Jefferies was drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 draft by the Islanders. He was a product of The Gunnery, a prep school in Connecticut. There, Jefferies put up an incredible 69 points(33G, 36A) in 32 games.

Add to that 49 points at the AAA level in 29 games and Jefferies ended the 2019-20 year with 118 points in 61 games. A staggering 1.93 points per game.

Look, he wasn’t the top-scoring player in prep school, but he finished a respectable 12th. The kid showed speed, poise, and some great hockey IQ at the prep level. Which is why Merrimack wanted him and why the Islanders took him in the fourth round.

Why they jumped as high as they did

Jefferies excelled in his first season at the NCAA level. He only played 12 games before injury took the rest of his season. But in those 12 games, Jefferies put up ten points playing in Merrimack’s top-six.

Not only that but he played on the power play and the penalty kill for Merrimack. Remember he’s a freshman. They don’t usually get that type of ice-time.

When I spoke to his coach Scott Borek just before the New Year he told me that Alex was one of the smartest players in the league. There’s still a lot for Jefferies to work on, but Borek is very high on his freshman winger.

Keep your eye on Merrimack next season. Jefferies, a Hobey Baker nominee in 2021, will be a big factor for them in 21-22.