One NY Islanders prospect who has had a surprising improvement in his game this season

After beginning his professional career with only 48 points through his first 124 AHL games. Many people were quick to write off Matthew Maggio in his value as a New York Islanders prospect. But this season Maggio has completely turned it around, and the stats are there to prove it.

Maggio has turned heads with his play this season.

Maggio has started the AHL season with 4 goals and 16 points in his first 21 games. This puts him on a full-season pace that would shatter his previous season point totals through his first two seasons with the Bridgeport Islanders.

Coming out of his last season in the OHL with the Windor Spitfires, Maggio was expected to be a top prospect. This comes partially to his 54 goals and 111 points in only 66 games during his last year with the Spitfires. It was during this season that Maggio was named the OHL's Most Outstanding Player. But unfortunately, Maggio has been quiet through his first two full seasons with Bridgeport.

One major reason for Maggio's improvement this year may just be having a familiar face in the building with him on a day-to-day basis. Bridgeport's new head coach this season, Rocky Thompson, has had ties to Maggio in the past. Thompson was the head coach of the Spitfires while Maggio's dad was working as a trainer for the club.

Not only can this be a big factor to the big jump in offensive production by Maggio but also helps him become more comfortable. In an interview back in July during Islanders Development Camp, Maggio spoke about his relationship with Thompson. "It's pretty cool dating back and getting to see him again and kind of just catch up," Maggio said. "Talking about our families and stuff, not really even the hockey aspect."

The entire Bridgeport Islanders team as a whole has made huge improvements this season, following what was a historically bad season last year. They finished 15-50-7 during the 2024-25 campaign, and their 4 wins at home was an AHL record for the least in a season ever. So far this year, the Baby Isles are 8-11-2, which obviously doesn't look good on paper, but with what they went through last season is a big improvement.

If the injury bug continues to plague the Isles this season, Maggio could be seen as one of those first guys that get the call up to the big show. "(Thompson) wants us to develop, learn the habits and get us ready." Maggio added. "So that when and if we get the chance to come up here, that we're ready and that we not only fit in but contribute also."