What ever happened to NY Islanders' draft pick Bode Wilde?

A second-round draft pick in 2018, Bode Wilde was a potential lottery pick, but off-ice issues saw him drop before being scooped up by the Islanders. In his first season after being drafted, Wilde had an impressive season with the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL, registering 70 points (19 G, 51 A) in 60 games. 

Wilde was limited to just 31 games between the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and the Spirit in 2019-20, dealing with nagging injuries for the majority of the season. In 2020-21, he finished the season with three goals and three assists in Bridgeport in 22 games.

Before the 2021-22 season, as COVID vaccines were being mandated across the league, Wilde refused the vaccine, stating on his Instagram page, “Hoping my human rights are enough to let me play ... what a world.” Lou Lamoriello, GM at the time, did not allow unvaccinated players to play with the organization. “We will not allow any player in our organization to participate unless they are vaccinated.”

Wilde joined Vasterviks IK in Sweden for the 2021-22 season, before signing with Atlanta Gladiators of the ECHL for 2022-23. The Islanders did not extend him a qualifying offer following the season. Since then, Wilde has bounced around Europe, spending time in Slovakia, Wales, and Germany, and is slated to play for Schwenninger Wild Wings in the German DEL this season.

Wilde had all the promise in the world before beginning his professional career in North America, leaving many to wonder what could have been.

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