NY Islanders retain organizational depth on defense with latest Bridgeport signing

The New York Islanders retained depth on their American Hockey League (AHL) blueline, signing restricted free agent Dennis Cholowski to a 1-year-deal.

The 26-year-old skated in 68 games for Bridgeport last season, scoring seven goals and 24 assists. It was his second full season in the Islanders organization after being signed in August 2022 for organizational depth. He appeared in two regular season games for the Isles during the 2022-23 season and had one goal and 37 assists in the AHL.

According to PuckPedia, the one-year, two-way contract is for $775K at the NHL level, $250K in the minors, and a guarantee of $300K. His role is to be a top-four defenseman for a young Bridgeport team while being an option for a call-up if the Islanders' defense suffers multiple injuries. Cholowski, who had received a qualifying offer from the team, is known as a solid skater and an offensive defenseman who can run the powerplay.

Cholowski was Bridgeport's highest scoring defenseman in each of his two seasons with the team. Former second round pick Robin Salo (5G, 19) who was second in scoring on the blueline, left the Islanders organization and will be playing for Malmö Redhawks of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) next season. Meanwhile defensemen Grant Hutton and Paul LaDue are expected back.

Cholowski is a former first-round pick (2016, 20th overall) of the Detroit Red Wings. The Langley, BC native played in 104 games with Detroit, scoring ten goals and adding 17 assists. He made the Red Wings out of training camp for the 2018-19 season, making his NHL debut on October 4, 2018, and scored his first NHL goal in the second period against the Columbia Blue Jackets.