2 Newest Members of the NY Islanders Organization Practice in Bridgeport

With their NCAA careers now over, former NY Islanders fourth-round pick Alex Jefferies and recently signed undrafted free agent Matthew Kopperud, practiced with the Bridgeport Islanders yesterday after inking their amateur tryout contracts.

Jefferies is a player who took longer to ink a deal with the organization than hoped - but after four seasons at Merrimack College, Mike McMahon of College Hockey News reports the winger will begin his ELC for the 2024-25 season.

"It's fun just to get here and meet all the guys and see the facilities," said Jefferies after day one in Bridgeport. "it's been a good couple of days so far, and looking forward to the weekend.

"I'm a goal scorer. I like to score goals and just play a 200 ft game - [I'm] really working on that, just being a really good all-around player. [I] definitely like to score and make plays offensively."

While Jefferies may be a name some are familiar with, very few have heard of Matthew Kopperud. A 24-year-old, 6'1" 195 lb forward, Kopperud finished third in scoring for Arizona State during his senior campaign with 36 points (23 G, 13 A).

The Denver, Colorado native did most of his damage while on the man advantage, leading the nation in power play goals with 17.

"I think I have some skill," said Kopperud. "[I] try to score some goals and I like to get under the other team's skin and stuff as well.

"This past season was big for me. I think I matured a lot. I learned a lot about myself and stuff and I think that helped my game develop on the ice as well."

The B-Islanders have 12 games remaining on their 2023-24 schedule, currently sitting last place in the Atlantic Division and q5 points out of playoff position. Bridgeport visits the Lehigh Valley Phantoms tomorrow in what may be Jefferies and Kopperud's first game in blue and orange.