NY Islanders are front runners to sign National Collegiate Hockey Conference Defenseman of the Year nominee

As we near closer to the NCAA Frozen Four and college hockey begins to come to it's end this season, NHL teams have begun signing their eligible draft picks that continued their development back at their universities or began to scoop up some breakout talent at the NCAA level. We've already seen some big names sign entry-level contracts such as Matthew Coronato, who left college after his sophomore year, to turn pro signing an entry-level deal with the Calgary Flames, as well as Sean Farell who signed with the Montreal Canadiens. The NY Islanders have yet to make any transactions of their own aside from a couple of professional tryouts with their American Hockey League affiliate, however, on Wednesday morning, it was reported that the Islanders are the front runners to sign National Collegiate Hockey Conference Defenseman of the Year nominee, Aidan Fulp.

Western Michigan has a bunch of players who are getting NHL interest as undrafted free agents. C Max Sasson has already signed with the Vancouver Canucks. The New York Islanders appear to be the frontrunners to land D Aidan Fulp, a nominee for NCHC Defensive 'D' of the Year.
— Brad Elliott Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) March 28, 2023

Fulp served three seasons with the Western Michigan University Broncos playing a combined 97 games. Standing at 6-foot, 3-inches tall and 209 pounds, the Westfield, Indiana defenseman fits a need as a big, physical defenseman according to Islanders prospect guru Michel Anderson.

The NCHC Defenseman of the Year award is awarded at the end of the NCHC regular season to the best defenseman in the conference as voted by the coaches of each NCHC team. Although he did not win the award, Fulp was a top three finalist to receive the honor. Justin Lee from the University of Denver ultimately took home the honor and quickly signed an AHL deal with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

In 38 games this season with the Broncos, Fulp tallied two goals and 13 assists for 15 points which are pretty decent offensive totals for a defenseman that's more known as a defensive defenseman. He has yet to make a decision as there are a number of teams interested in his services, however, if he does put pen to paper with the Islanders organization, he'll likely be headed to Bridgeport to play with the AHL Islanders.

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