NY Islanders prospect leads junior league in points

It's been a long road for NY Islanders prospect Justin Gill to reach this point in his hockey career. After being passed on twice at the NHL Draft, Gill attended Vancouver Canucks prospect camp last season but left without a contract.

Lou Lamoriello and the Isles took a chance on the 20-year-old with the 145th selection in the 2023 NHL Draft after tallying 93 points (44 goals, 49 assists) the season before. This season, he hasn't disappointed, leading the QMJHL in points.

Returning to juniors on September 29th, Gill has wreaked havoc on his QMJHL opponents this season. Through 13 games, Gill has recorded 25 points with seven goals and 18 assists, giving him a three-point cushion at the top before today's games.

He's failed to register a point in just one game this season and has been one of the reasons the Baie-Comeau Drakkar have gotten off to a 9-2-2 start to their season. Currently, on a five-game winning streak, Gill has registered 13 points (4 goals, 9 assists), including back-to-back three-point performances in his last two.

Gill attended Islanders training camp this season but didn't appear in any pre-season games with the team before being returned to the Drakkar.

"There's a huge step between the junior and the AHL level, so I tried to work as much as I could this summer on that (speed and strength)," said Gill while at Islanders rookie camp. "With my trainer, we did a pretty good job, and I got here in good shape."

At 6'1" and 190 lbs, Gill turns 21 in January, making him one of the oldest players in junior hockey. The Isles have done well with their overage picks the last few years, with the selections of Matthew Maggio and William Dufour.

Gill still has a ways to go if he's to keep up with the scoring pace he's currently on, but if he can continue his scoring ways, he'll add to the list of Islanders' prospects who've been previously overlooked.