ON THE HORIZON – Corey Trivino, F, Boston Univ.
As the Islanders attempt to earn their first postseason berth since 2007, they could easily look back to the 2008 NHL entry draft in Ottawa as a breeding ground for present-day and future success.
Thirteen selections were made that weekend. Forwards Josh Bailey and Matt Martin, along with defenseman Travis Hamonic have already graduated to the NHL from that draft class. Forwards David Ullstrom and Justin DiBenedetto, defensemen Aaron Ness and Matt Donovan, along with future starting goaltender Kevin Poulin all are playing in Bridgeport for the Islanders’ top AHL affiliate, with an eye on reaching Long Island by season’s end.
Forward Kirill Petrov also was selected, and continues to be the pick that teases Islander fans, yet still remains in the KHL in Russia.
Selected 36th overall, the first of the Islanders’ three second-round picks, center Corey Trivino was chosen for his offensive skill-set. He exploded onto the world scene, playing for Canada’s Under-18 team, by collecting seven points – four goals and three assists – including notching a hat trick in a victory over Denmark.
However, injuries could play a cruel trick on a professional prospect, as it has on the 21-year old Toronto native and Boston University senior.
“In my first three years (here at Boston University), I have been overcoming obstacles,” said Trivino. “I tore my MCL after my freshman season and broke my ankle at the end of my sophomore season.”
Yet, Trivino has never felt self pity. He has turned his own adversity by prospering in head coach Jack Parker’s system as one of Hockey East’s top all-around centers.
“At the end of his sophomore season, Corey was really coming into his own and was one of our best forwards,” said Parker, who is entering his 39th season as head coach of the Terriers. “And despite his injuries, he has made himself one of our best all-around players.”
Trivino had scored 56 points – 18 goals and 38 goals – in his first three collegiate seasons. Still, it was his development on the defensive end, in which Parker points out as his greatest asset moving onward.
“Corey came into our system with a big reputation as an offensive guy,” said the three-time NCAA champion Parker. “But he has become much more reliable defensively. He’s a great face-off guy and is very responsible in his own end. And now that he is a senior, he is being given much more responsibility, and is being very productive.”
Trivino netted his sixth goal of the season in Sunday afternoon’s 5-0 blanking at second-ranked Boston College. He is now tied with Minnesota Wild prospect Charlie Coyle for second on the team with 10 points, two behind San Jose Shark prospect Matt Nieto.
“As a player, I know that in order to play on the next level I need to play on both sides of the ice,” said Trivino. “I believe that I have become a two-way player who plays strong defensively against the opposing top line.”
Furthermore, Parker also credits Trivino’s development to the Terriers’ strength and conditioning coach Mike Boyle.
“Mike (Boyle) has made Corey a bigger and faster player,” said Parker of Trivino, who has gained upwards of 20-to-25 pounds since entering Boston University as a 6-foot-1, 170-pound 17-year old. “He sees the ice better, and is much more conditioned than when he started.”
Trivino himself goes back to a meeting with former Boston University co-captain John McCarthy, while a freshman, as one that kept his mission much more focused.
“John always told me and the rest of the team that it was important to work hard every day, whether it is at practice or during the game,” said Trivino, who played as a third-line center for 2008-09 National Champions.
Over the last three seasons, Trivino has showcased his talents on Long Island, scrimmaging against some of the Islanders’ top prospects.
“I see a lot of talent coming through the Islander organization,” said Trivino, a self-admitted Toronto Maple Leaf fan. “And over the last couple of seasons, I have had a chance to talk to a couple of the (Islanders) fans. I even have had a chance to invite some of them up to see a couple of B.U. games. They have told me how much they want me to success.
“Their fan base has been very supportive.”
Islander management will have until next summer to decide whether Trivino’s development is worthy of an entry-level contract.
Parker believes the choice is a no-brainer.
“I know some of the guys in the organization,” said Parker, who also coached current Islander net-minder Rick Dipietro for one season before the team selected him first overall in 2000. “They were ready to sign him after his freshman and sophomore seasons. Corey Trivino will be a viable prospect and a valuable member of the Islander organization soon.”
Only time will tell.
On the Horizon is a regular feature from Alan Avital that focuses on the best Islanders not yet with the big club. Comments on Corey Trivino and other prospects are welcomed in this thread. Talk about the big club continues in other posts.
51 Responses to ON THE HORIZON – Corey Trivino, F, Boston Univ.
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Steven says:
I just love to hear about prospects that are years away if they even make it.
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Stumpy32 says:
It’s really not fair to read an article a guy clearly worked hard on and researched, just to see the first two comments be criticism that the author is absolutely the wrong focus of. Appreciate the hard work, and give criticism where criticism is due. Alan doesn’t deserve that crap.
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No disrespect intended to Alan. Very fustrating to be an Isles fan right now when the present is always lousy. Sorry if I offended Alan.
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Ethan K says:
I like hearing about prospects! That’s the fun of a rebuild, and for me, half the fun of sports. I’ve been a Yankees fan my whole life, I don’t even bother following them until the playoffs because they just sign new players every year. Watching players being scouted out, chosen at the draft, and developing over a few years is exciting, especially since these guys are my age. Trivino seems to be doing well this year and is making his way back into the prospect talk. I think if he keeps it up he’ll end up in Bridgeport adding always important depth to our system.
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Joe says:
your not a true yankee fan…
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StevieL says:
Good Luck to Corey but 2 centers that were picked after we picked Corey, Luke Adam Buffalo Sabres and Derek Stepan NY Rangers went in the following 15 picks!! 2008 is being remembered for a lot of reasons!!
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claude says:
Alan, I feel for you. I know it’s your job to stay progressive and upbeat. You gotta talk about something besides current nightmare.
I can’t believe there hasn’t been any movement
Starting to believe the fix is in -
Dan says:
Good news but I would rather him in a trade then here at the big club. We have a ton of center debt that is young all the way from the NHL level to juniors/college.
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Nick M says:
We have so many prospects. Trade already!!
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DonK says:
As a BU parent (my daughter lives in Trivino’s dorm and is a big hockey fan, like most people there), I’ve followed Corey’s career with some interest (I have seen him play in person a couple of times and have interviewed him several times).
As a player, he’s made some offensive leaps this season. He’s passed Coyle and centers what is regarded as the first line for one of the most inconsistent teams in the NCAA (the win AT second-ranked BC merely got them back to .500). Both last season and this season, he has seen time in all situations and has the trust of Jack Parker and his staff.
He was suspended for 3 games at the start of his third season for being in a car when the driver was DUI’d. Parker didn’t treat it as a big deal when I talked to him last year.
He has some maturity issues, though nothing out of the ordinary. BU is an odd school — the hockey players are at the top of the jockocracy — and that doesn’t help.
My impression: Isles will sign him rather than let him become a free agent. His pro ceiling is probably a third-line center with some offensive skills, and he won’t get there without some time in the minors (I could see him starting in the ECHL). Not likely to be an impact player, but could be an OK bottom-six forward.
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Kool Aid says:
With all due respect- who cares.
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fmcisles says:
No disrespect intended Alan , but with all the problems on the Island right now, a feature on a guy 2-3 years away doesn’t do anything for me. We need the microscope over Snow/Cappy and Wang. I’m not getting any younger, I want to see another Cup before I go.
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Strummer's Army says:
Way to go Corey! Show the world hard work and never giving up on yourself pays off!
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Jim Clark says: “present-day success”????
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tedge77 says:
Guys everything is going to be ok. Corey Trivino will be here in 2 years!!! Here comes the new arena, the All-Star Game, The Cup. Its in the bag all down hill from here! Alan do us a favor the next time you go to type a story like this. Open your desk drawer, stick your right hand in it and slam it closed with your left hand. Thanks.
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Mike says:
This kid can play! Give him the contract as soon as the college season is over and get him in Bridgeport for the end of the season.
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Islandersfan19 says:
Wow a lot of you are ignorant
Its called “on the Horizon” for a reason
Just because the Isles are doing piss poor doesn’t mean you take it out on someone whos taking the time out of his day to write a piece about some of our FUTURE playersA ton of the future is already with the team and you have seen them play so no need to “shed light” on them like Alan is doing with prospects a lot of you have no idea went to or even ever heard of
We have Nino, JT, Grabner, Hamonic, Poulin, Lee, De Haan, and Strome plus more
I don’t know about most of you but I’d rather have articles on guys like Anders Lee and Corey Trivino then on guys like Nino and Strome….We’ve seen a lot of them already and its good to get to know your other pieces who were drafted but not yet signed by the isles
I’d rather positive pieces like this one as well rather then “Wang Sucks, Fire Snow, Fire Cappy, Bench everyone, This team sucks”
pieces like this allow you to take a break from the crap hockey this team is playing, and if you wanna get all pissy about the team’s poor play, post it in a different thread and not on a piece about prospects-
Paul says:
Right, the future that is on the team is really making an impact. lol! Ignorance is believing BS like this. Here is a clue, you do not dictate what others say.
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“the FUTURE on this team is making an impact”
You use the term FUTURE but you’re speaking in the PRESENT.
you do realize all of those guys are under 25? yeah we do have the most players over the age of 33 but the majority of them were signed this offseason and are not permanent fixtures. We still have guys like Strome, Mayfield, Petrov, Kabanov, De Haan, Donovan, Ness and Nelson who are still developing. You cannot criticize the future of the team and basing it on the present.Ignorance is jumping to conclusions 3 years after having the 1st overall pick
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Hector Marini says:
Ignorance is not knowing the difference between THEN and THAN.
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John says:
Nice article Alan. I like these. It’s good to get background on our prospects, especially when the grown up team is so bad.
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Whaaaaaaaaaaaat says:
If you don’t want to hear about and don’t care then why read it and comment?
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pruggier says:
thanks another 5’10″ 150 pounder who all of hockey says that he is physically weak on second thought, he would fit in nicely. He is a third-line center for one of the worst programs in college hockey are you kidding me! another wasted draft pick who they probably will not sign anyway-Mickey Mouse Operation if there ever was one-Bring Back Jimmy Devellano-they have not drafted well since he left. What does he have like 8 Championships and has made the playoffs 20 years in a row-Wang would never go for a guy like that running things he would have to answer to him-Corey Trevino PLEASE! he will never step on the ice!
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isleopine says:
Great story. Now what would really get us excited about our gloomy predicament is a rumor of a trade or two. Scoop something up, let us know that Haley is being called up. Faster Please we are losing hope!
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Blizzard says: It is nice to have these peaces about prospects. And I enjoy reading them. However the country is wallowing in perpetual hopelessness we need to hear of a shake up!!!!
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ClubFoote says:
pruggier, you are 1000% on the money.
Nice job Alan, very well written. However I read about Florida’s 6-2, 6-3 prospects who can skate like the wind and all I can do is SMH at the crap we are being subjected to.
Snow – GM for life.
DNP Ricky D – Goalie for life.
Being an Islander fan – Misery for life.
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D in Big D says:
Another lame effort followed up by a prospect that will be our savior.Get on w/ it already & sell/move the team.Just curious how many NHL teams tout their prospects like the Isles?This team is need of new ownership,forget the building!
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RICH L says:
Hey Alan, Present day, and future sucess? Where? When? How? Bailey? No Offense, but please wake up and smell the coffee. Also why another player with Boston affiliations, since Milbury this organization has had a affinity for players, coaches, and GMs from the Massachusettes area, can anyone answer why that is so?
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Danfromouteast says: Cool article as I enjoy reading and being updated on the Islanders prospects. Fans of the Islanders listen I know these days being a fan is like having a bad job well do what I have been doing take a vacation. I haven’t watched the Islanders the past three games, I watch how the game is plyed watching NHL teams on other channels. We all need to collectively boycott the Islanders. It isn’t giving up or selling out. It’s making a stand just like you may strike in a bad job. If we all stuck together and dont’ go to games and cancel MSG the Islanders will lose money. This will hopefully make Wang understand that we are tired of paying NHL prices for a nonNHL team. If they are forced to move because of this does it really matter they aren’t doing a good job now they are hard to watch so at this point let them move. I would rather that wait a few years like the Winn. Jets and get a whole new face Islanders (if that would happen). But this Wang and Snow deceit needs to stop they are treating us like idiots by assuming put a pair of skates on anyone tell the media we believe throw an add in Newsday and the fans will come running. We don’t go out and purchase products that don’t work or spoiled food so why should we pay for the Islanders.
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Danfromouteast says:
What do you get when you cross wang and snow?
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The Islanders are not making it anywhere near the playoffs this year, and who cares about prospects. Same crap for years. Even IF they make to NHL Snow will not give them the proper vet support. Sick of hearing about the future that is NEVER coming.
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Thirteen selections were made that weekend. Forwards Josh Bailey and Matt Martin, along with defenseman Travis Hamonic have already graduated to the NHL from that draft class.
Yea, and they are really knocking them dead. Did Snow write this BS?
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Write an article on all the mistake Wang/Snow have made. Start a petition against them.
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upstateIsles says:
do ittt
+/- section on garth/wang
+ signing JT
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Jason says:
∞…………Alt+8734 into MS Word only… then copy and paste into a document.
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BP says:
I think, what really should be on the horizon is the NEW ownership and new management of the team.This team goes nowhere regardless whom they’re going to trade for, promote from the Bridgeport…e.t.c.
It looks like the organizational environment is contaminated by the “Loosing” and “Carelessness” disease.-
Gene F says:
Bingo!
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Ct 74 says:
Why let present frustrations prevent us from learning about Prospects, not saviors, but prospective players? Keep giving us more info about our prospects.
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notfooled says:
I personally stopped believing in these fairy tale prospects about 15 years ago when I realized this aint baseball, players can’t improve by learning a new pitch, guys are what they are by the time they are 20, sure a guy might go 10 years and be a 3rd liner, have one good season (jason blake) and return back to 3rd line status, but those guys are not making you a winner. The greats are great right away, turgeon, lafontaine , tavares, ziggy pallffy,
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fFedUp says:
“WANG MUST SELL” “SNOW MUST GO!”
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mark p says:
It says right underneath the article that Alan role for this site is to discuss Isles property not in the NHL…..stop complaining….don’t read his writing if you don’t like hearing about prospects. I like to have hope that soemday it will get better….even though I am constantly proven wrong.
As far as that draft and Snow
I like many was disgusted when they traded down twice. I was furious when the moved up and then Reached for DeHaan-Hockey news said he was too small from the start…..so his sholder injuries are not just bad luck.
As for Trivino
I am not so sure he get’s signed….Cikikis sure looks like a future 3rd line center and Strome is taking Bailey’s spot and will be the #2 Center next year. They likely need to sign Anders Lee this summer to avoid that 4 year pro loophole. They also drafted a sweed pretty high this summer.
As we have found out with Kessel, Spurgeon, and to a lesser extent Niemi…..All these picks are great, but you can’t sign them all. -
Danfromouteast says:
THIS TEAMS SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Jeff from Smithtown says:
Good to see Trevino becoming a legit prospect. Guy seems to be a late bloomer. Snow must havesaw something in him to get picked in the second round. Looking forward to see him in Bridgeport.
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I believe it is correct about what Wang, and Snow are doing, and why they are not attempting to turn this franchise around, the aim is to continue to have useful idiots go to the games, buy Islanders merchandise and wait for the next 4 years, and bada bing, they will relocate in 2015, because then Wang will whine that there is no fan support, and he is losing millions of dollars, and the county wouldn’t give the green light to the Lighthouse project and nothing is working, yada, yada, yada,which is all BS, or should I call it Wangshyte.By then with Wang, and Snow still running, and ruining the team, it will not matter, but for 39 years I was a fan, but will not be much longer, I am too old to wait anymore,so it’s improvement very soon, or else Bye Bye. Boycott, Boycott, Boycott, it’s the only way Wang will take notice of who he depends upon to support the team, us, the fans.
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Boycott Wang, Boycott Wang, Boycott Wang,
Fire Snow, Fire Snow, Fire Snow,
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Irish Isle says:
Think Corey will be battling with Cizikas for playing time, and Cizikas doesnt lose.
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Sumo Goalie says:
Had the chance to watch Trivino at the Cornell-BU game at MSG on 11/26. Long story short – don’t hold your breath for this guy. No hustle, total floater, almost not even noticable on the ice, unless you are watching specificly for him. Don’t think he went into a corner to fight for a pick once. Don’t think he threw one hit in a game full of them. There’s no way he’s part of the solution going forward – lets move on.
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Ed says:
Almost exactly month… Timing fail. I just finished at BU (literally yesterday) and we’re going to miss him on the ice in Boston.
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NYISLES001 says:
Another Midget Defensman and you ask why er can’t compete in the east.
Tired of hearing about prospects and draft picks!!!!!!!!!!!