Recapping the NY Islanders A+ Draft Class

Rounds 4-7

In the later rounds of the draft, this is the time for teams to look for potential. There are still great players available, but their trajectory to the NHL is unpredictable compared to the first three rounds.

In round 4 and pick No.106, the Islanders selected Tomas Poletin. The 18-year-old Czech forward split last season for the Pelicans U20 team in the U20 SM-sarja league, where he recorded 20 points in 25 games. He was then called up to the Pelicans in the Liiga, where he scored no points in 15 games. Aside from the lack of production, spending any time in the Finnish top league as a teenager is always a positive sign.

In round 5 and pick No. 138, the team selected Sam Laurila. The defenseman spent last season with the Fargo Force of the USHL, where he recorded 8 goals and 41 points in 57 games. Laurila found his offensive game a bit this past season, trying to produce on top of his defensive style of play.

The only goaltender the Islanders took was Burke Hood at pick No.170 in round 6. Hood spent last year in the WHL with the Vancouver Giants, where he produced a .910 save percentage, 3.13 goals against average, and 3 shutouts. He recorded a 19-13-6 record in the regular season, but struggled in the postseason all around. Reports say Hood is a tall yet athletic goalie with vision being his best asset.

The final pick in round 7 and pick No.202 for the Islanders was NTDP forward Jacob Kvasnicka. The skilled winger scored 23 goals and 53 points in 93 games last season. He will play next year with the Penticton Vees in the WHL before joining the University of Minnesota the following year. He is known as a speedy forward with room for improvement in his puck skills.