NY Islanders legend Ken Morrow may be the greatest good luck charm in hockey history

If you need something good to happen, bring Ken Morrow around.

The Islanders' Director of Pro Scouting, who won gold with the 1980 Miracle on Ice U.S. Olympic Hockey Team and then four straigh Stanley Cups with the Islanders represented the Islanders as they won the 2025 NHl Draft Lottery and the No. 1 overall pick. It's the second time Morrow has been in that position. He was also the team's representative when they won the lottery in 2009, selecting John Tavares with the top selection.

"Never mind that Kenny is a great guy and was a terrific player, but he has to be the biggest good luck charm in hockey history," former Isles' play-by-play man Howie Rose posted on X. The Isles needed luck, and a lot of it, as they had just a 3.5% chance — 10th-best odds going in — but the ping pong and hockey gods smiled on them.

“I just had a feeling today,” Morrow said via NewYorkIslanders.com. “I was going through the day, preparing for tonight. I don’t know how to explain it, but I felt like I wasn’t getting prepared for nothing to happen. And wow. I’m just speechless right now.

Same, Ken. Same.

The moment that sealed it? The balls came up 7, 11, 12 — and suddenly, the Isles' odds shot up to 18.2%. One number left. If it was a 5 or 13, it meant the Islanders were winners. Then came lucky number 13. “It got down to where we were still in it for that last drawing, which I was thrilled with that,” Morrow said. “And I saw 5 and 13. And in my head, I was thinking 5 for Denis Potvin. But 13, lucky number 13 right? Those were my thoughts. 5 and 13.”

This marks just the fifth time in franchise history we’ve held the first overall pick. The previous ones? Billy Harris (1972), Potvin (1973), Rick DiPietro (2000), and John Tavares (2009).

So, who could it be? Top-ranked North American skater Matthew Schaefer, a dynamic defenseman out of the OHL’s Erie Otters, is a top most draft boards, with Michael Misa, who tied Tavares for the most points by a U18 skater in the OHL since 2000 with 134, ranked second. Then there's hometown kid, and Boston College star James Hagens, who is still considered a Top-5 prospect, but has dropped off from points earlier in the season.

This pick is a massive boost to a prospect pool already featuring Calum Ritchie, Isaiah George, Cole Eiserman, and Danny Nelson. Not too long ago, the Islanders' prospect pipeline was considered dried up, but recent draft picks, the Brock Nelson trade, and the good luck brought by Morrow will create an infusion of youth to a roster widely considered slow and stale in the not-too-distant future.