NY Islanders prospect Vladimir Dravecky has one big advantage at rookie camp

There are plenty of new faces for Vladimir Dravecky at his first New York Islanders rookie camp. The guy running it, however, needs no introduction.

Dravecky, the Islanders' fifth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, is reunited with former OHL coach Jay McKee, who will begin his first season behind the bench of the Hamilton Hammers this fall.

For a young defenseman entering an NHL organization for the first time, having some familiarity isn't a bad thing.

"Jay is such a great guy and unreal coach," Dravecky said. "When I saw that he's going to be a coach for the Hammers, it was pretty funny that he coached me last year."

And it isn't just McKee.

Dravecky pointed out that assistant coach Vince Laise is also making the move to Hamilton, along with video coach Owen Bernal, giving him several familiar faces as he begins his time in the Islanders organization.

"That's great being back together," he said.

McKee already knows exactly what he's getting in Dravecky. The offensive-minded defenseman played under him last season and now has the benefit of continuing that relationship at the professional level.

Dravecky believes McKee's NHL experience is particularly valuable.

"Jay has around 800 games in NHL," Dravecky said. "So, it's huge when you have a coach like that on your side and just he can help you all the time."

There will be plenty of time for the Islanders to determine exactly what they have in Dravecky. Rookie camp is only the beginning, and the 2026 draft pick isn't putting much pressure on his first few days wearing an Islanders sweater.

"I just want to have fun," Dravecky said. "I'm so super excited to be here around those great players and human beings."

It's his first rookie camp, but with McKee and several familiar faces around him, it probably doesn't feel completely new.

And soon enough, they could all be together again in Hamilton.

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