NY Islanders late round draft pick emerging as WHL playoff difference-maker

late-round pick might not usually turn heads — but the New York Islanders may have quietly found one worth watching.

Seventh-round selection Jacob Kvasnicka is starting to make serious noise in the WHL, and his latest performance only added to the growing buzz. The 18-year-old winger was named WHL Rookie of the Week after a clutch stretch that helped the Penticton Vees advance to the Western Conference Championship.

Kvasnicka didn’t just contribute — he delivered in moments that matter. After helping spark a comeback in the series against the Prince George Cougars, he sealed it in dramatic fashion, scoring the overtime winner in Game 6. Earlier in the game, he absorbed a heavy hit, got back up, and still found a way to finish the job — the kind of resilience that jumps off the page for a young prospect.

And it’s not just one game.

Kvasnicka has been one of the most productive players in the WHL playoffs, posting 13 points (7 goals, 6 assists) in 11 games, ranking among the league leaders in both scoring and goals. His ability to produce in high-leverage situations — including multiple insurance goals — has been a defining trait of his postseason.

That production didn’t come out of nowhere. In his first WHL season, Kvasnicka led Penticton with 85 points (35 goals, 50 assists), earning a spot on the Western Conference Second All-Star Team and a finalist nod for Rookie of the Year.

For a player taken 202nd overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, this is exactly the type of trajectory teams hope for — but rarely get.

He’s not the biggest player at 5-foot-11, but his scoring instincts, compete level, and ability to rise in big moments are starting to separate him.

It’s early, and there’s still a long development path ahead.

But if this run is any indication, the Islanders may have found more than just a late-round flier — they may have found a prospect who’s just getting started.

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