It’s that time of year, folks, as the New York Islanders youngsters are gearing up to hit the ice on Thursday for the start of rookie camp.
We have yet to be given an official roster — we will get it when we get to Northwell in the morning — but we have a good idea of who will be present.
Unfortunately, the Islanders’ collegiate players—Cole Eiserman, Kamil Bednarik, Danny Nelson, and Quinn Finley—will not be in attendance as they are already at school preparing for their collegiate season.
Related: NHL’s 2024 First Overall Pick Macklin Celebrini Shares Thoughts On Islanders’ Cole Eiserman
We don’t expect either of the 2024 draft goalies, Marcus Gidlof or Dmitry Gamzin, to be in attendance as they begin their seasons overseas in Sweden and the KHL, respectively.
The expectation was that 2024 second-round pick Jesse Pulkkinnen out of Finland would be at development camp, but he suffered an injury that will keep him out “for weeks, “so it would be a shock to see him on the ice.
Related: Islanders 2024 Draft Pick Jesse Pulkkinen Sidelined ‘For Weeks’ With Lower Body Injury
Last season, the Islanders had Simon Holmstrom and Grant Hutton take part, but we don’t expect that to be the case this time around.
Here’s who we expect to be at camp for the first time:
Marshall Warren, a Long Island native who spent three years at Boston College before ending his college career at the University of Michigan, will be attending his first Islanders camp after signing with the Bridgeports Islanders at the end of last season.
The 23-year-old signed a two-year entry-level deal this summer and participated in Matt Martin’s Hockey Academy in early August.
Related: Islanders Sign Long Island Native Marshall Warren To ELC
Left winger Alex Jefferies, drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Draft, was a Hobey Baker Finalist playing for Merrimack College and is expected to participate in Islanders’ camp for the first time.
After his season ended, he, too, signed on with Bridgeport.
The 22-year-old scored four goals and three assists in 12 games before inking a two-year entry-level contract.
Related: Across The Sound: Alex Jefferies Making Immediate Impact For Bridgeport Islanders
Jesse Nurmi, the 19-year-old left winger out of Finland, will be in attendance after being drafted by the OHL’s London Knights in the 2024 Import Draft.
The Islanders’ fourth-round pick in 2023, who signed his three-year entry-level deal this summer, will return to London after camp and play the 2024-25 season with them before turning pro for the 2025-26 season.
Related: Islanders Prospect Jesse Nurmi To Play In OHL Before Joining Bridgeport
When we get an official roster, we will let you know.
The NHL announced that training camps will open on Sept. 18, but that’s usually for physicals.
We expect the Islanders’ NHLers to hit the ice the following day on the 19, with their first preseason game on Sept. 22 against the New Jersey Devils at The Rock with puck drop at 7 PM ET.
The Islanders open up their season on Oct. 10 against the Utah Hockey Club at 7:30 PM ET.
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