PROSPECT CAMP ROSTER RELEASED: 91 for Tavares, 3 for de Haan, 34 for Koskinen, 27 for Cizikas
5:35 pm - The roster has been released for Islanders Prospect Camp, held from Friday through next Wednesday at Iceworks in Syosset. (Although we have heard from NYI season ticketholders that they have been able to schedule a visit by appointment on other days, officially camp is only open to the general public on Sunday. Check the team website for details).
A few notes on the roster. College players, such as Corey Trivino, Aaron Ness, Rhett Rakhshani and Matt Donovan, are allowed by the NCAA to attend as long as they pay their own way. Casey Cizikas is confirmed to make it on time. Shuhei Kuji from the Japanese National team will be there. No Kirill Petrov (oh well), Jared Spurgeon (minor shoulder injury) or Jyri Niemi (undisclosed injury). John Tavares has been designated uniform number 91.
If you haven’t heard of a player on this list, he is most likely an undrafted, unsigned invitee. This means he’s a longshot. While I wish all of them the best, it’s going to take a lot for them to make an impact. Steve Webb did, so there is a precedent. If you’re looking for background on the invitees, try www.hockeydb.com.
TEAM NYSTROM – GROUP 1
Forwards Defensemen Goalies
13 Vlad Nikiforov 3 Calvin de Haan 52 Nathan Lawson
14 Tony Romano 43 A. MacDonald 60 Kevin Poulin
26 Anders Lee 47 Blake Kessel
27 Casey Cizikas 49 Victor Bartley
36 Corey Trivino 56 Dustin Kohn
40 Joel Rechlicz 77 Nate Prosser
46 Matt Martin
50 Tomas Marcinko
53 Calle Ridderwall
61 Doug Rogers
65 Rhett Rakhshani
81 Justin DiBenedetto
91 John Tavares
TEAM MORROW – GROUP 2
Forwards Defensemen Goalies
12 Josh Bailey 4 Anton Klementiev 34 Mikko Koskinen
17 Mike Radja 6 Patrick Cullity 35 Anders Nilsson
29 Evgeny Lapenkov 62 Travis Hamonic
41 Robin Figren 70 Matt Donovan
42 David Ullstrom 71 Mark Katic
48 Jason Gregoire 72 Aaron Ness
54 Shuhei Kuji
55 David Toews
58 Jesse Joensuu
59 Carter Camper
63 Jason Dale
64 Michael Findorff
67 Kevin Deeth
68 Billy Maday
Reminder: Tavares introductory press conference, open to the public, is Wednesday at 12:30 pm at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Comments. Lighthouse discussion continues below.
65 Responses to “PROSPECT CAMP ROSTER RELEASED: 91 for Tavares, 3 for de Haan, 34 for Koskinen, 27 for Cizikas”
Please Wait
Josh Bailey, the veteran!
Hmm… no Stefan Ridderwall? Interesting.
looking foward to watching Ness, Trivino, Kessel and Tavares.
No Jared Spurgeon?
Would really like to see how Martin, Rhett and Ullstrom do. They have some solid potential and talent.
I got one Kirill Petrov?
It’s a shame they can’t open the mini camp to the public and hold it at the coliseum. I took my four year old son their last year and it was a great experience. Free hockey right along the glass!
Typical Isles…they can’t do anything right! Would have been a nice buzz and ticket sales opportunity..
Saw Patrick Culity play a decent amount at Vermont. Not a bad pick-up for a UDFA. I like how one team got JT and de Haan, but the other one gets the Scandinavian Skyscrapers. (I just thought that up. I should put it on t-shirts)
WOW!!!! How on earth did we rope in Shuhei Kuji from Waseda University?
It is great to see two Long Island boys in Romano and Nikiforov playing together again in Syosset where they both played Juniors for the Bobcats. That might even make a pretty good story on here. I am kinda upset that it isn’t open to the public besides for a single day. I love watching these kids play during this week but oh well. I guess the Coliseum wasn’t available? It is going to be so overly packed I dont even know if I will make the attempt to show. Anyway, nice to see the LI connection and I wish all of these kids the best of luck.
CB, do you know why the closed it to the public this year? I know the last two years all day were open.
There are some interesting invitees on this list. It’s too bad Ridderwall and Petrov won’t be there.
Michael Findorff is 6′6″ 230lbs. and Evgeny Lapenkov led his KHL team in scoring. That team looked pretty bad though.
What happened Jyri Niemi
i don’t understand why Bailey is going there? He is a lock to make the club.
I’ll be there Sunday. Can’t wait to see my boy DiBo.
Doesn’t it make some sense to have Tavares and Bailey play together to see if they can develop chemistry with Tavares on a wing?
@10 When romano and nikiforov played the bobcats were based out of the rinx but still great to see these kida return to the island ice.
No Trevor Smith, Jyri Niemi, Jeremy Colliton (no surprise).
I could see the coaching staff putting Tavares and Bailey on the same line to see how well they play together. I heard Tavares say that they were on a line at the WJC camp last summer. Would love to see a Bailey, Tavares Okposo line.
I didn’t know this is how we discovered Steve Web, totally awesome!!!
Love stories of guys who are undrafted and beat the odds…
Some other interesting college guys (Camper, Cullity) and LI native (Nikiforv)
I hope that when the LHP gets approved, Wanger will begin to spend a some money on talent and to keep the talent thats here…I never used to care about the Isles farm clubs but now its all we have…Its sad but true…
I hope that David Toews and Blake Kessel turn into something good like their brothers!
Josh Bailey is probably there because though he began performing well at the end of last year, and is a lock for a spot on the NHL squad, he is still 19 years old. You never know.
Well, here’s the rebuild. I counted 43 players, plus the few mentioned above who are no shows for injury or other issues (Petrov), plus Kyle; add the 2010 #1 pick and a few holdovers (Streit/Gervais/DP etc.)and there’s your rebuild team. Do the cuts yourself. Once most of these players are either ready for the NHL or cut and gone, then you can add one or two FA and you have your team. Good Luck, be patient, this is only year two.
There is something about this kid Cizikas. Number 27…..I like it.
Yeah that is weird, what happened to Niemi? Hopefully he isn’t hurt again.
Yeah!! 91 for Tavares!!! Just picked up my jersey!!
really a bad job by the isles with the prospest camp only being open to the public one day and on Sunday no less. Now before you rip me apart I know Icework’s can’t handle the huge crowd’s that are expected but do they think having it on one day is going to the help situation.And on top of all this I read on here that if you BOUGHT SEASON TIX you can call and make an appointment to attend one of the other day’s that those of us who can’t afford full plan’s have to try to squeeze in there on Sunday. If they’re looking to make money then chagre an admission so of ten dollar’s per session, as they ussally have one in the morning then one in the afternoon. This way you make some money and make a lot more fan’s happy instead of the season ticket holder’s. And to limit the amount of fan’s showing up why don’t they do something like they did for the draft party.You get the tix voucher on line this way they limit the amount of fan’s per day, then when you arrive at the rink you pay the ten dollar’s and go in.This way alot more people see JT and the rest of the young gun’s go through there workout’s especially Vlady and Tony skate together again as they did for many year’s growing up through JR’s…
CB, can you please do a blog about the prospects that aren’t here and why? I’m surprised by some of the names I don’t see.
Guys, I don’t think Wang has taken the piggy bank away from Snow. I think the reason your seeing fewer moves is Snow locked himself in with some guys sooner and/or longer then he should have (Witt, Martinek, Meyer etc). Since the NHL sets organizational limits on how many contracts a team can have I think it’s blocking some moves Snow would like to make. I believe where the contract situation is with Tavares needing to be added the Isles are at or near the limit. This could be why guys like Martin and/or Ullstrom (love to see him at Bridge) haven’t been signed and why other moves haven’t been made. He’s in great shape cap wise but pretty much up against the wall in number of contracts. He’d have to get some team to take some of these deals off his hands.
When looking at the prospect roster it is clear there is more talent then before but I’m still not thrilled that not many prospects will be playing in Bridge this year.
Wow didn’t know Camper got invited he plays with a good friend of mine on Miami OH. Hes a great player, a little undersized, but I’d love to see him get signed.
Feel alot more comfortable now with my #91 Jersey
As for those who are saying that Tavares and Bailey should be on the same line, here is counterance. I think they want the coaching staff to see what Tavares can do as a center. Make their own opinions from what they see with their eyes and not what they see on video. And who better to use then to gauge him against a two-way center they knew intimatelly.
I’ll be rooting for Cizikas to make it, but No. 27? that’s a lot to live up to since 27’s been a hallowed number around here (Tonelli, Peca)…heck, even Derek King wore it with distinction
Ok kids, show us what you got!
Donde esta Jyri Niemi, Chris? And, again, I’m so damn tired of these guys from Waseda University in our prospect camps.
Niemi, never listed on this blog as a top or super-promising prospect, is out with an undisclosed injury…CB
i am actually very interested in seeing Jesse Joensuu. In the little time that I have seen him play I was very impressed.
Can’t wait to hear how the Sarnia boys do and of course JT.
I concur with Glen S. … I understand that Ice Works has limited space … Perhaps they should of organized a lottery for non-season tix holders, with season ticket holders getting first dibs before passes are made available for the lottery … This way they can have control over the crowds for all sessions and it will be a good will gesture to the fans that are enduring once again a rebuild. The passes would cost the non-season tix fan $10 per pass which could be redeemed as a $10 gift card for Islander merchandise or towards tix during the season. Kinda like a $10 minimum (2 drink minimum) at a club. I live 100 miles from Ice Works but now I’m considering not going incase I can’t get in Sunday. I took vacation in order to go 2 days … now I just may not go.
I think the fact that they are calling this prospect camp means that any player in the organization or camp invitee would be considered a prospect. Bailey at 19 is still just a prospect … we all realize that he was in the NHL b/c he was to young for the AHL, and too good for the OHL … and Garth felt he would best develop in the NHL.
As far as contracts go … Snow signed a lot of depth players over the past week (as per this site) … he doesn’t seem to be concerned with the contract limit.
Thanks Chris.
Good stuff. Kuji had 31 goals in 28 games with Waseda this past season. He’s 22 years old…wonder what his future plans are.
No Trevor Smith?
I’ve seen a lot of Mike Radja from his days at UNH. I was impressed with him, and he always did well against BU. He may turn out to be worth a shot.
Very excited to see how these kids do.
Definitely looks like the talent level in our prospects pool is looking up.
CB, what about Max Gratchev?
what about michael haley. he’s whats this team needs. top middleweight
Guess it is official, Shea Guthrie is not in the Isles plans. I figured but I assume this confirms it?
They should have an event where Koskinen and Nilsson put Ness and Katic on their shoulders and then fight!!!
Thanks for the scoop, CB.
Anyone know why Bailey is attending? I’m not complaining, just wondering.
I like how they include late bloomers Bill Maday, Jeff Deeth, and Calle Ridderwall from the Irish. Ridderwall’s goal beat Michigan in OT to head to the finals. (And no, he’s not Stefan’s bro)
Reading the prospect list does get me fired up. I hope these guys develop, and soon, and for us.
Three things:
1. The Islanders finally look to have a deep prospect pool… or at the very least, after the last two drafts, we are no longer at the bottom for team prospect rankings.
2. With the health of Dipietro in question, and Roloson being 40 years of age, the signing of Nathan Lawson could be one of those signings that went unnoticed but VERY IMPORTANT.
3. We all have our guys that are long shots, and my guy that in 5 years from now could be a productive Islander.. Anders Lee.. Love the kid..
Heck, I’ll add a forth comment… With time and patience, could David Ullstrom be that BIG talented winger we are looking for?? Maybe better than Joensuu?
One more comment, I thing Trevino is gonna be one heck of an Islander after 4 years of college.
ack, I meant Kevin Deeth. brain cramp. Ridderwall, Deeth, and Maday were 2, 3, and 4 for the Irish this year, the #2 team in the nation after BU. not too shabby.
Alot of people are rooting for Casey Cizikas, including myself.. But when you say, you hope he “makes it”… I hope you aren’t referring to him making the big club this year…. A super successful season for him would be 60-70 points… IN THE OHL!!
I believe the reason why Bailey is there is to provide that young veteran presence. Last year it was Okposo and Comeau, the year before that Campoli and Gervais. The other players will have someone who has a played a full year in the NHL and can help them get prepared for it. It’s a great idea.
Botta Bing, a few years ago the Isles compteted in a rookie league. It was just the one year but it’s something I always thought would benefit the prospects greatly. More and more teams are doing it why not the Isles?
Oops!!
Referring to my comment at #49…
The goalie signing I was referring to that could be VERY important is Scott Munroe from the Flyer system (not Nathan Lawson).. Munroe had a great year last year in the AHL at 27 yrs old.. And like I said, if Dipietro isn’t healthy, and 40 yr old Roloson needs some rest, Munroe might get a bit of playing time.
#49 - Trivino will get a lot more playing time with BU this year now that Colin Wilson signed in Nashville. He needs to add about 20 pounds to have NHL size, but Jack Parker will take care of him, and I expect him to take a major leap this year.
Remember, his hard work in the corners helped lead to the national championship winning goal. Kid is blazing fast, and if he develops right we could have a player.
Niemi has already had several major injuries, and regressed this past year after a decent showing for his first season in NA with Moose Jaw. Too bad because he has a nice shot, good size and good skating ability…was overshadowed by the younger Stefan Elliot who the Isles passed up in this years draft. Needs another year before he’s ready for the AHL anyway.
I also like Bailey being there. Gives him a leadership roll.
Mike Findorff was a defenseman when he played in the USHL for the Indiana Ice. He attended Miami of Ohio, but he didn’t play much. He must know someone in the Isles organization.
#57, agree 100%. Mckenzie said Trivino will be a stud
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=283954
BTW Jonas is rated 68 in NHL09 and Mikko Koskinen is rated 75… Its something, but probably nothing
Good to see that the Russian D we just drafted (Klementiev)will be there. The fact that Weslosky and Ridderwall won’t is probably not a good sign in terms of their future with the organization.
CB - Any word on why no Petrov? From all the talk this off season, and that being a goal of his, I am surprised and a little disappointed he will not be in attendance. Also, what is the age cut off for the camp?
Matt Martin will be the most in-shape and determined player on the ice this week!
The kid is pure team and pure heart, the isles need to sign him.Think a hybrid of Guerin,Shanahan & Holmstrom