The New York Islanders Development Camp, as Borat humorously noted, was a major success. This camp brought together young prospects and some players from the most recent draft class shortly after the draft, rather than right before training camp begins. It gave these players a firsthand experience of what it means to be part of the Islanders organization and what it takes to reach the NHL level.
Though this is just the start of their journey, selecting the right offseason training routine and partner can greatly influence whether they have a merely good or an excellent summer. Among those training this summer is the 17th overall pick, Shaun Aitcheson, who is skating alongside Islanders forward Bo Horvat, Ottawa Senator Dylan Cozens, free agent Nate Bastian, and other players from Muscoca Hockey.
Islander Captain Anders Lee trained with Horvat last summer and had positive things to say about him. The No. 1 overall pick, Matthew Schaefer, has been working with Islanders defensemen Adam Pelech and Mark Giordano. Defenseman Isaiah George, who made his NHL debut last season, is also part of this training group. Training sessions with fellow prospects, especially those from the same team, play a crucial role in helping these young players adjust to the organization and gain insights into building chemistry, understanding expectations, and embodying the blue and orange spirit.
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Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagery
Fan Take: This development camp highlights the Islanders’ commitment to nurturing young talent and building a strong team culture from the ground up. For hockey fans, it signals a promising future where homegrown players are well-prepared to elevate the sport and contribute to the team’s long-term success.
