Matthew Maggio (center) at Islanders rookie camp. (Photo: Stefen Rosner, The Hockey News)
EAST MEADOW, N.Y. — New York Islanders rookie camp is officially over and a handful of the 23 skaters that participated this past week will get a taste of training camp with the big club beginning on Thursday.
It’s an outside shot that multiple members of the rookie showcase will be seen in the NHL in the next year, but a handful of them made an especially prudent impact on the organization.
Here are eight youngsters who especially stood out at Twin Rinks:
Matthew Maggio- The 20-year-old forward showed flashes of the playmaking ability that made him the Ontario Hockey League’s Most Outstanding Player last season. An above-average skater with good hands, he’ll likely need a full season of AHL play before making the jump, but the foundation is very much there.
Matthew Maggio with some nice stick-handling. #Isles pic.twitter.com/gz4jp5qskV
— Joe Pantorno (@JoePantorno) September 14, 2023
Isaiah George- The 19-year-old defenseman will be headed back to his OHL club shortly, but not before he made a good impression on the Islanders. The 6-foot-1 blueliner has a developing two-way game that still needs a little bit more on the offensive end, but a defensive foundation made him a star at rookie camp.
“His mobility, his stick, he’s strong, he’s composed with the puck,” Bridgeport Islanders head coach Rick Kowalsky, who ran rookie camp, said. “He makes a good first pass. All very positive things to have a young defenseman… I’ve liked what I’ve seen.”
A little race between Isaiah George and Matthew Maggio. #Isles pic.twitter.com/5qBITPUlFS
— Joe Pantorno (@JoePantorno) September 15, 2023
Ruslan Iskhakov- There’s no question that Iskhakov has the offensive talent to make a legitimate NHL push over the next few weeks. The 23-year-old is an explosive skater with a plus skillset. He’s had to work on his two-way game more than…
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