Five of the best late-round draft picks in NY Islanders history

New York Islanders v Carolina Hurricanes - Game Five
New York Islanders v Carolina Hurricanes - Game Five | Jaylynn Nash/GettyImages
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David Volek

David Volek
New York Islanders v Toronto Maple Leafs | Graig Abel/GettyImages

David Volek will always be a name that lives forever in Islander history. In 1984, the Islanders drafted Volek in the 10th round, 208th overall, but didn’t make his NHL debut until 1988 after fleeing from Czechoslovakia. His first four years in America were successful, registering 82 goals, including two 20-plus goal seasons, until injuries started to affect his play. 

In 1993, while his season was far from spectacular, Volek scored one of the more famous goals in Islander history. In the second round of the 1993 playoffs, Volek scored a goal in overtime in game seven, to defeat the two-time defending champs Pittsburgh Penguins. Unfortunately, the injuries got worse, as he was forced to retire from hockey due to a herniated disc. Nowadays, Volek has been an assistant coach in Prague with HC Sparta Praha since 2005.