Some unexpected faces suit up on day one of NY Islanders rookie camp

After nearly four months since being eliminated from playoff contention, the NY Islanders are back on the ice as day one of rookie camp began today, run by Bridgeport Islanders head coach Rick Kowalsky.

Islanders prospects like William Dufour, Matthew Maggio, Isaiah George, and Long Island native Mitchell Warren were always slated to take the ice, but a few unexpected faces appeared on the teams roster.

Maxim Tsyplakov, the Islanders free agent signing out of Russia, suited up this morning, wearing number seven. Tsyplakov has been on Long Island for three weeks, even appearing at the Matt Martin Foundation poker night, but there was nothing concrete that he'd appear at rookie camp.

Atr finishing fourth in the KHL last season with 31 goals, Tsyplakov is ready to test his skills against the best players in the world despite his success in Russia.

"It's a good opportunity," said Tsyplakov. "Big chance. I want to play hockey in a big league. I want to work with Patrick [Roy]."

The Islanders brought in another goaltender to join Triston Lennox and Henrik Tikkanen, as Long Island native Keith Kinkaid joins the Isles on a PTO. Kinkaid has spent time with the Devils and Rangers and joked that he wanted to complete the Metropolitan trio.

With the speculation that Ilya Sorokin is "battling something," Kinkaid could be an insurance policy for Lou Lamoriello.

"This is my fourteenth season," Kinkaid said. "I just want to do anything I can to turn heads. I still got a lot left in the tank and we'll go from there."

Lastly, defenseman Artyom Kudashov has joined the Islanders rookie camp. The 19-year-old is an undrafted player currently playing for Dynamo Moscow in the KHL. He's played in both of Dynamo's games this season and played 25 games with the club last season. He's yet to record a point in Russia's top league.

Kudashov appeared at the Philadelphia Flyers development camp earlier this summer. It's unclear in what capacity he's with the Islanders, but it appears he's looking to make at least an AHL roster.