EXCLUSIVE: JUSTIN DIBENEDETTO IN THE FOLD
NYI sign OHL’s No. 3 scorer to entry level deal
5:05 pm - Point Blank has learned that the Islanders have signed Justin DiBenedetto to an entry-level three-year contract. The 2008 sixth round draft pick finished third in the OHL this season with 45-48-93 in 62 games. We recently ranked the 6-0, 200-pound left wing as the Islanders’ No. 9 draft pick in junior, college or Europe and called him the franchise’s biggest wild card. The 20-year old will join Bridgeport on an ATO for the rest of this season.
37 Responses to EXCLUSIVE: JUSTIN DIBENEDETTO IN THE FOLD
NYI sign OHL’s No. 3 scorer to entry level deal
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Cody says:
Awesome! You can’t ignore those numbers this kid is putting up. VERY interested to see how he progresses.
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geomc says:
wow!!!! love what there doing, now lets go get taveras, approve the lighthouse, and develop into an elite nhl team once again
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Coach B says:
Very interesting to see what he does in Bridgeport next season. Even if it’s not this year with Matt Martin, the Sarnia trio have madeit to pro hockey and good for them and the Islanders.
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
CB- Great Day for DiBo and hopefully a great catch for the Islanders.
DiBo also was named the OHL’s overage player of the year. He overwhellmingly was voted the award by other organizations in the OHL … he got 86 points in the voting, and the runner up earned only 37 points.
Congrats DiBo!!!!!
The Isles need a solid LW with a scoring punch … and DiBo can play both Wings. Offers lots of flexibility in certain situations.
CB … I hope that the DiBo project goes a lot smoother than the Light House Project.
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cusi says:
Good luck Dibo!
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Daniel says:
I am really excited to see how this kid pans out. He has a ton of potential but still a lot of question marks. I hope he can keep his point production up at the next level. Best of luck to him!
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thepolishprince says:
Nice! Good luck to you DiBo. Yes you’re an overager but you’ve silenced the critics once. Best of luck doing it again with BPort.
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bergie20 says:
welcome to the family justin! 2 down, 1 to go.
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Wasn’t he a 2008 pick?
yes. Thanks for the catch. I was in too much a rush typing it up…CB
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UNH Steve says:
this is great news, some good signings this past week for snow. now let’s clinch this last place finish, get the draft done, and get next season started already!
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Matt says:
Welcome Justin! Hope you and Katic do well in the Bridge next year and on the Island in the near future!
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Macch says:
I’m confused. If the Islanders signed him to a 3 year deal why is he still on a ATO? Anyone?
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I know I’m getting waaayyy ahead of myself but if DiBo pans out to be even an average NHL scorer that would be well worth giving up Chris Simon (assuming that’s the sixth rounder we used).
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DiBenedetto was the pick for Chris Simon. (5)-Good point about scoring on LW, they can be hard to find.
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Will OC says:
awesome, keep signing young talent. Even though I love guys like MacLean and Iggulden…more younger players at Bport that will possibly have a long term future with the Isles is necessary
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nystrom23 says:
From his numbers he seems like he doesnt have much more to fill out, let his game mature and he can end up being a steal for the isles
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alex says:
does he play in the playoffs for bridgeport?
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Sneekypete B-port fan says:
20 with the ATO he is elligle if they add him to the playoff rooster
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Islander505 says:
Here was my idea for “Snow’s plan of action” from a comment I made on the 9-0 thread after the hurricane damage in NC the other night.
“Forget about trades, forget about any big time free agent pickups in the summer (except a goalie).
Sign Gilroy.
Draft Tavares.
Get another goaltender.
DP and Mystery guest in the big show, Danis and Mannino in the Bridge
Buh Bye to our own UFA’s. (McCammond, Iggulden, Fritz, McClean, Hilbert, Pock, McDonald…who is Chris Lee?)
Sign Danis and Jackman.
Fill the open roster spots with last year’s and this year’s draft.”Notice the last point?
Fill the open roster spots with last year’s and this year’s draft?Katic yesterday, DiBo today.
Gilroy is coming Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday.
Tavares on Tuesday.The future is getting brighter folks.
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.
The
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frank nyc says:
WoW katic and debenidetto in bridgeport. I love it and we will get the lotto next week. Things are looking up
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MotorcityIslesfan says:
I was hoping they would sign these guys (Katic,DiBo)for the AHL playoffs so we could get a good look at them! Even though the Isles won’t be in the playoffs this year, it will be fun watching our future develop this spring! Here’s hoping the Bridge goes deep into the playoffs!
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shappy says:
Now lets sign Martin.
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Joe says:
Exacty 23, Martin has earned it big time
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Staten Islander says:
Wit all this new tallent coming in, the next few years will be very interesting.
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Cain says:
Don’t think Katic and DiBo can play in the AHL playoffs as they weren’t on the clear day roster.
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Islesphan25 says:
they can’t but they can practice and learn the system…and travel with the team…..
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Larry says:
They can play in the playoffs, that’s the reason for the ato contracts. The soubdtigers have the option of sitting players on the clear day roster with “flu” or “groin strains” for players on ato’s and emergency callups
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29 is correct, the ATOs can play in the playoffs. They are exempt from the clear day roster.
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eye on the island says:
lets not forget-with all this influx of young talent we are actually accumulating trade pieces for next years playoff push
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I dont expect us to be near a playoff team next yr. We are 2 yrs away as far as I am concerned.
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Cruicky says:
This kid could be a great pickup. He has all the tools.
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dk7937 says:
CB, This could be a question that has been answered already.. but why do all the scouts question whether DiBo can make it in the NHL? I know he was an overager in juniors and much more mature physically than most but he still put up some nice numbers. What question marks about his game do scouts have?
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He’s doing everything Zach Parisi did….and he’s a winger. Maybe he’ll give us the gift of 30 goals a season as Zach has done for NJ. We can only hope. Interesting how trading away Chris Simon led to this kid. That’s why what we got for the Guerin deal aint a bad thing. Remember, Zetterberg and Datzuk we’re 4th and 5th round picks, among other great talents in the NHL.
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UIF says:
I was hoping they’d at least give him a shot after the numbers he’s put up the last two years. Maybe it pans out, and maybe not, but the Isles couldn’t ignore that kind of production.
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Pete DeBenedetto says:
Great signings this week….very optimistic….BTW….if ever you see a DEBENEDETTO jersey walking around the LIGHTHOUSE, please don’t say I spelled the name wrong…..been a fan longer than this kids been alive.
That being said….GO DIBO GO
wow!!!! love what there doing, no lets go get taveras, approve the lighthouse, and develop into an elite nhl team once again