NY Islanders top prospect earns Rookie of the Week honors after blazing NCAA start

Three games. Four goals.

Not too shabby a start.

New York Islanders first-round pick Cole Eiserman is making an immediate impact at Boston University and showing why he was considered the best scorer in the 2024 NHL Draft. Eiserman was named the Hockey East Rookie of the Week after scoring two goals in Friday’s 4-2 win over UConn. Eiserman’s four goals through three games lead BU and is tied with ten others for the second-highest goal total in the NCAA.

In his most recent game, the 18-year-old found the puck after a face-off win from fellow Isles prospect (2nd round, 61st overall), drove the net, and stuffed in the puck before absorbing a bit of hit. This type of early success in a collegiate career is rare. Eiserman is the first Terrier since at least 2002-03 to score four goals in his first three collegiate games and leads all NCAA rookies in scoring.

Selected 20th overall, Eiserman was immediately viewed as one of the, if not the biggest, steal of the 2024 Draft Class. “We had him rated pretty high,” GM Lou Lamoriello said on Draft Day. “We were excited that he was there when we picked, so that's all we can say. We were looking for a certain type of player, and we were able to get it.”

Eiserman was considered the best scorer in the draft, but concerns about his two-way game and an unfair branding as a selfish player led to his draft day slide. That drop benefited the Islanders, who desperately needed a player of his skill in their prospect pool. Under head coach Jay Pandolfo's tutelage, Eiserman's overall games are expected to continue to round into shape. So far, the early results have been encouraging for a player who won't forget about the teams that passed on him.

“All that matters is that the Islanders took me, and they’re No. 1 in my heart right now, and I’m going to do everything I can so I can win games for them,” Eiserman said. “Having a chip on your shoulder never hurts. It matters once you wear the jersey for real.”