NY Islanders Prospect Report: Week of 11/28 - 12/2
Daylan Kuefler, Kamloops Blazers, WHL (6th Round, 2022)
When it comes to the Memorial Cup, Daylan Kuefler and the Kamloops Blazers won't have to sweat it out regarding whether they'll be participating as Kamloops will host the event this season. But a WHL title would be a great way to head into the tournament.
As someone who may have even bigger things on his mind than a WHL title, Conor Bedard paid a visit to Kamloops last week, where the likely top pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and the Regina Pats had their doors blown off. The Blazers managed to put nine goals on the board, with Kuefler assisting on one.
Kuefler found the back of the net himself in Kamloops trip west to pay a visit to the Vancouver Giants. Just over a minute into the game, on a two-on-one break, Kuefler crossed the blue line with the puck as the defenseman took away the passing lane laying flat out on the ice. Kuefler showed resolve waiting out the goalie as he cut back inside for a better angle before burying the goal.
Kuefler is up to 23 points (12 goals, 11 assists) on the season as his Blazers team sits in third place in the WHL's Western Conference with 33 points.
Isaiah George, London Knights, OHL (4th Round, 2022)
What may be one of the Islanders' most intriguing prospects, the sky seems to be the limit for Isaiah George.
Though he was a fourth-round pick for the Isles, George was ranked as high as the second round by some scouts. His smooth skating and two-way ability seem so effortless, and with a bit more experience and bulk, the 6'0", 200 lbs blueliner could end up being a true steal for the Isles.
Last Tuesday, George had his best game of the season as he led the red-hot London Knights to yet another victory. After falling behind by two goals midway through the first, the Knights seemed to find their game scoring the following six goals on the way to a 6-2 victory.
George found his name in both the goal and assist columns, with an assist on the powerplay and an unassisted goal midway through the second. It was one of George's best performances of the season, which earned him OHL Player of the Night recognition.
George has seven points (two goals, five assists) this season as the Knights continue to roll sitting in second place in the OHL's Western Conference.
Alex Jefferies, Merrimack College, NCAA (4th Round, 2020)
After winning seven straight games, Alex Jefferies and the Merrimack Warriors finally dropped their first game since late October against the eighth-ranked UCONN Huskies. Jefferies scored the Warriors' only goal in the 3-1 defeat.
It would not take long for the Warriors to exact revenge as they traveled to Storrs, CT, in the second of a back-to-back with the Huskies. Jefferies put on his best performance of the season with a goal and three assists on the way to the eleventh-ranked Warriors 7-3 victory.
Jefferies now sits third in the Hockey East Conference with 20 points in 15 games. The Warriors continue their quest for their third NCAA Tournament appearance as one of the surprise teams this season.