NY Islanders Matthew Maggio signs ATO with Bridgeport Islanders

NY Islanders prospect Matthew Maggio's historic season came to an end when he, Shane Wright, and the Windsor Spitfires were surprisingly swept by the Kitchener Rangers in the first round of the Ontario Hockey League Playoffs. After the Spitfires acquired Wright to help bolster Maggio's already impressive work, the Spitfires claimed first place in the West Division and headed into the playoffs as a No.1 seed. Now, the Spitfires have been eliminated and Maggio has signed an amateur tryout with the Islanders American Hockey League affiliate Bridgeport Islanders.

Much like William Dufour last season, Maggio had catapulted himself in the junior scoring race this season with a career-year. The 20-year-old forward led the OHL in goals scoring 54 and registered 111 points in 66 games, which also led the OHL. The Spitfires captain also tallied an OHL career-best 57 assists this season.

Similarly to Dufour, Maggio's season came to an early end, although last season the St. John Sea Dog's had the Memorial Cup ahead of them as the hosts. The Spitfires do not have the same luxury, so now Maggio will look to bring his goal scoring prowess alongside Dufour as the newest memeber of the Jr. Islanders.

Maggio has yet to sign an entry-level contract with the Islanders, however, this will give the organization a little sneak-peak to how Maggio's game may translate at the professional level. At this point, the former 2022 fifth-round draft selection, 142nd overall, has outplayed his draft status and could be one of the next diamonds in the rough that the Islanders have seemingly collected in recent drafts.

Maggio joins Jacob Pivonka, Christian Krygier, Travis Mitchell, and Aiden Fulp as some of the newest members of the Jr. Islanders organization. Much like Pivonkla and Krygier, Maggio is hoping to earn a professional contract for the 2023-24 regular season. Mitchell and Fulp recently signed two-year, entry-level contracts.