NY Islanders scout was ready to do cartwheels after round one of the 2025 NHL Draft

The NY Islanders knew nearly two months ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft that they’d be making the first overall pick. The rest of their draft strategy changed the day of the first round, receiving two additional first-round picks from the Montreal Canadiens for Noah Dobson.

After taking the consensus top-ranked prospect in Matthew Schaefer first overall and failing to make a draft-day trade with the Boston Bruins to select James Hagens, the Isles owned the 16th and 17th overall picks. 

With Mathieu in charge of his first draft, the first-year GM had Trent Klatt, Director of Amateur Scouting, at his side. Klatt had his players he was high on, advising Darche as to who he believed were the best players available.

One of the players Klatt held strong opinions on was defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson of the Barrie Colts.

“This kid, right here, Kashawn Aitcheson. I’ve never been more sure of a comp to Ed Jovanowski.” Klatt told Darche (via On The Island). “I’ve never seen anyone in my 17 years of scouting that can have open ice hits like him.”

Aside from Aitcheson, the one player Klatt was enamored with was Victor Eklund of Djurgardens in Sweden, with Darche following suit. 

“Right now, we have two guys in our top 12,” Darche told Head Coach Patrick Roy. “If they’re both there, we’re taking those two guys.”

Darche, Klatt, and the Islanders organization got their two targets, selecting Eklund and Aitcheson along with Schaefer. 

“I couldn’t believe it,” Klatt said. I just said, ‘If these two guys fall to us at 16 and 17…’ I mean, I was so excited, I said I’ll do cartwheels right out of here. It will be a great night for us. Of course, once we picked them both, everyone wanted me to come through on my end of the bet.”