NY Islanders' prospect Cole Eiserman to take on leadership role this season

Entering the 2024 NHL Draft, Cole Eiserman saw his draft stock plummet from a potential first overall pick down to No. 20, where the NY Islanders selected him. Despite having the elite shot, capable of beating goaltenders at any level, the knock on Eiserman was how effective he would be when he's not scoring.

Among those concerns was his leadership capabilities. But those questions are being put to rest as Eiserman was named an Alternate Captain for his sophomore season at Boston University.

Eiserman named Alternate Captain

Eiserman, playing under head coach Jay Pandolfo, who played the majority of his career under GM Lou Lamoriello for the NJ Devils, carries the same no-nonsense ideologies as the former Islanders GM. To be named an alternate captain means that Pandolfo believes Eiserman is ready and capable of carrying the extra weight on his shoulders.

Eiserman, 19, is looking to improve on his stellar freshman campaign for the Terriers, scoring 25 goals, leading BU as they advanced to the finals of the Frozen Four, only to be toppled by Western Michigan.

Coincidentally enough, Eiserman will first don the 'A' on his sweater at home against Long Island University, the school that shares a facility with the Islanders.

Playing as a crucial piece for Team USA in their Gold Medal triumph at the 2025 World Junior Championship, Eiserman will, in all likelihood, play a bigger role in the 2026 rendition of the tournament, and could potentially see himself earning a leadership position representing his country as the Stars and Stripes look to make it a three-peat on home soil.