Another Islanders prospect makes a WJC camp roster
Yesterday we covered how four New York Islanders prospects were named to one of the two Finnish WJC training camp teams. Aatu Räty, Matias Rajaniemi, Eetu Liukas, and Aleksi Malinen will get a chance to make the WJC in August.
We now have a fifth Islanders prospect that could make a WJC championship roster. Tomas Machu was named to the Czech WJC training camp roster along with another 12 defensemen.
New York Islanders: Another prospect makes a WJC camp roster
Obviously, the Czechs won't bring all of those 12 defensemen so Machu (pronounced: Ma-who) is going to have to prove he deserves to be one of their eight guys going to Edmonton/Red Deer.
If you aren't sure who Machu is, he's a 2021 seventh-round pick by the Islanders. A right-handed defenseman who started the year playing in a few Czech leagues (U20 league, 2nd Div, Top Div) and eventually made the switch to North America to play in the USHL with the Youngstown Phantoms.
The 6'4" 190lbs right shot defenseman played 34 games in the USHL putting up six points.
Machu was looking to make the switch to NA sooner but a planned move to Omaha broke down in September.
The move to NA could help him get a spot on the roster. He's one of only three defensemen invited to camp playing in North America this year. But, of course, that alone won't be enough to get him a spot. He has to prove he can earn that spot through his play.
Machu wasn't named to the Czech camp for the December tournament so this is a step up for the Isles prospects. And could reflect where his game is trending.
Much like with yesterday's post with the Finnish team we'll see if Machu makes it, but if he could that would be a nice nod to the Isles prospect pool.