He's been taking the league by storm since the start of the season, but the NY Islanders' fifth-round pick at the 2026 NHL Draft, Vladimir Dravecky, is continuing to impress in the OHL.
Leading all OHL defensemen in points with 20 (4 G, 16 A) in 13 games, the Czech blue liner is on an eight-game point streak, as the Guelph Storm are surging to a 12-3 start to the season, leading the Western Conference.
With his stock rising quickly, Dravecky has an opportunity to shoot up the ranks within the Islanders' depth chart with little resistance. Traded to Guelph this summer, the Storm will host the 2027 Memorial Cup, meaning Dravecky will be in the spotlight during the CHL’s biggest event.
Playing in the World Junior Championship for Czechia last season, he’ll have the opportunity to play in the tournament once again this holiday season, playing a bigger role for last season’s runner-up. Here, Dravecky can showcase his value, playing not only against OHL competition, but against the best U20 players in the world.
With the Storm, Dravecky is playing for assistant coach Rob Davison, who had a cup of coffee with the Islanders during his NHL career. Davison's biggest moment with the Islanders came against the Toronto Maple Leafs, scoring a 200-foot goal on a bouncing puck that hopped over the glove of Vesa Toskala and into the back of the net. Davison has been nothing but complimentary of Dravecky, saying he is always the first one in the training facility and the last one to leave.
We'll see if Dravecky can carry his start throughout the season, as he's becoming a force in the OHL.
