NY Islanders prospect Alex Jefferies named 2022-23 NCAA Hockey East All-Star

The NY Islanders prospect pool continues to fight the narrative that it has one of the worst, if not the worst pipeline among the 32 NHL organizations. It started last year when former Isles prospect Aatu Räty had a career year in Finland's Liiga. Räty is gone now as one of the trade pieces in the Bo Horvat trade, but he wasn't the only prospect who outplayed his draft status. William Dufour broke record after record and claimed accolade after accolade in the QMJHL last season, solidifying himself as a legitimate top prospect in the Islander system. More recently, the positive play from goaltender Tristan Lennox earned him a three-year, entry-level contract with the Islanders just a few weeks ago. At the college level, Alex Jefferies, playing for the University of Merrimack was named a first-team 2022-23 NCAA Hockey East All-Star.

The Islanders drafted Jefferies in the fourth round, 121st overall, in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old winger is already NHL size standing at a respectable 6 feet tall and weighing 194 pounds. According to EliteProspects:

"Jefferies' frequency of strides and pace of his feet allows him to burn around the ice and create opportunities. He uses his cross overs to generate power as he weaves through the neutral zone. He shows excellent vision and passing ability. He can complete high difficulty passes through layers of defenders, creating dangerous chances for his teammates"

Jefferies offensive abilities shined this season, his third at the NCAA level. The first-time NCAA All-Star scored 14 goals and 27 assists for 41 points in 34 games. His previous career high is 10 goals and 23 points in 33 games. Jefferies serves as Merrimack's top-line left winger on the 14th-ranked club that put together a 21-12-1 record this season.

Jefferies teammate Hugo Ollas was named a third team All-Star.