Matthew Schaefer and Calum Ricthie creating a bond at NY Islanders' rookie camp

Dealing with a ghastly prospect pool over the last seven years, the NY Islanders ' fortunes began to change at last year's trade deadline. Shipping Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche in a deal that saw Calum Ritchie come to Long Island in return, it was the first step in an important off-season.

The Avs' top prospect and one of the NHL's top 20 prospects, Ritchie, brought life and hope to what was looking like a bleak future for the blue and orange.

Schaefer and Ritchie making a connection

Then the Islanders' fortunes and future were enhanced by winning the NHL Draft Lottery, despite only 3.5% odds. Selecting the consensus top prospect in Matthew Schaefer, the 18-year-old is now considered the league's top prospect with a bright future ahead of him.

Attending development camp and now rooming together at rookie camp, Ritchie and Schaefer are beginning to build a bond before training camp begins - as they could be the cornerstones of the franchise for the next decade.

"It's awesome," Schaefer said of Ritchie. "Obviously, playing with him at the World Juniors - it's been awesome. You know, playing against him and finally being on the same team... You know, being roommates with him, it's been pretty fun. We do a lot of things together."

On the ice, Schaefer and Ritchie are hoping to build a special bond, but they're also connecting off the ice. The two spent some time together with Team Canada at the WJC before Schaefer's injury, but now, they're prepping for their career together. Hockey players obviously love their golf, and the two have been working on their short games together during their downtime.

"It's been great, we get along really well," Ritchie says. "It's pretty easy to get along with a guy like that - (he's) just a great guy on and off the ice. We've been spending a good amount of time at the hotel. They've got a little putting green (and) chipping green. We play a little chip and putt. It's been great. It's been good getting to know him a little here. I knew him from World Juniors, but to get to know him a little better here, it's been awesome."

Ritchie and Schaefer will hit the ice with the main group on Thursday when the Islanders' training camp officially gets underway.