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NY Islanders prospects: 3 NCAA players having great seasons

Which United States-based Isles prospects can we get excited about?

By James Malone |
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The NY Islanders drafted and developed young prospects well in the 2010s. Many of those players still exist on the roster today and have become integral to the Islanders' success. The organization has found gems in the first round, like Brock Nelson in 2010, Ryan Pulock in 2013, Mathew Barzal in 2015, and Noah Dobson in 2018. Others have become steals selected later in the draft, such as Adam Pelech in the 4th round of 2012 and Ilya Sorokin in the 3rd round of 2014. Not to mention players selected that have been traded away, like Anthony Beauvillier and Devon Toews.

While the Islanders' draft picks from the Garth Snow era have left some hidden gems, Lou Lamoriello has not seen the same moniker of success. On the current roster, only Oliver Wahlstrom, Dobson, Samuel Bolduc, and Simon Holmstrom were drafted and developed since Lamoriello became general manager in 2018. Much of this is due to the departure of first-round picks in trades for J.G. Pageau, Kyle Palmieri, Alexander Romanov, and Bo Horvat. Add in the Isles' cap situation, younger talent is needed to ensure the team can re-sign star players like Dobson in the future. With an aging roster that is faltering in 2023-24, who are some of the collegiate prospects we should be paying more attention to?

1. Danny Nelson

The Islanders have a knack for finding quality talent from the state of Minnesota, just look at Anders Lee and Brock Nelson. Selected in the second round this past June, centerman Danny Nelson is proving to be another Islanders steal. At just 18 years old, Nelson has garnered accolades for his controlled entrees and exits across the blue line both as a carrier and passer. He is described by scouts as a player who uses his physicality to eliminate off-puck threats and create wide-open shots. Similar to Pageau, Nelson's not afraid to use his forecheck and has improved in the faceoff circle.

After being drafted by the Islanders, Nelson opted to fulfill his commitment to attend the University of Notre Dame. In 22 games against Big-10 competition, Nelson has 7 goals and 12 assists. Nelson left collegiate hockey to play in the World Junior's Classic for Team USA. He was impressive playing against tougher competition predominantly made of 20-year-olds, scoring 2 points in 7 games. since returning from WJC action, Nelson has gotten red hot scoring 4 goals and 1 assist in the past four games. Still very young, Nelson figures to be at least one season away from considering an entry-level contract to play for Bridgeport. 

2. Alex Jefferies

The only current Islander from the New England region is Wahlstrom from Maine. Selected in the 4th round of the 2020 draft from Lunenburg, Massachusetts, left-winger Alex Jefferies is on the fast track to Bridgeport. At 22 years old, Jefferies is a great puck handler who uses crossovers to generate power and spread the neutral zone. Scouts have credited the left-winger for his ability to complete difficult passes through layers of defensemen. Similar to Josh Bailey, Jefferies has great vision on the ice and has become almost a second centerman for his ability to create offensive opportunities and record assists.

Jefferies has improved in all 4 seasons at Merrimack College in North Andover, MA. In 16 games this season, Jefferies has scored 12 goals and 7 assists. His number of goals is already on pace to surpass the 14 he scored last season. Between 2022 and 2023, Jefferies doubled his assists total from 13 to 27. This represents his improved ability to set up linemates and create ample opportunities. Now a senior playing his final season in the Hockey East Association, Jefferies figures to appear at training camp for the Islanders in 2024 if they can get him signed to an entry-level contract.

3. Cameron Berg

The northern Midwest has become the Harvard of American hockey players. Selected in the 4th round of the 2021 draft from West Bear Lake, Minnesota, centerman Cameron Berg has put himself on Lamoriello's radar. Just turning 22 years old, Berg is known for his defensive attributes. He is described as an energetic forward who presents a high-pressure forecheck and is proactive in defensive-zone break-ups. Berg has a knack for forcing turnovers, making him an ideal penalty-killer. Similar to Barzal, Berg rushes up the outside part of the ice before pivoting to the middle where he can accelerate and force an easy offensive zone entry.

Berg started his collegiate career at the University of Nebraska-Omaha where he recorded 18 goals and 29 assists through his freshman and sophomore seasons. In 2023-24, Berg has transferred to the University of North Dakota where he has tapped into his offensive potential. Through 26 games, Berg has 14 goals and 12 assists. Still just a junior in college, he figures to finish all 4 years before entering the AHL level. However, it would be a pleasant surprise if Berg signs his entry-level contract before training camp next season.

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