NEW YORK ISLANDERS DAY TWO
By Warren Kozireski–
After landing Simon Holmstrom of Sweden in the first round, the Islanders had only four picks remaining on day two of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft in Vancouver and used all four on Canadian junior players.
They used the first in the second round (57th overall) on defenseman Samuel Bolduc from Blainville-Boisbriand of the QMJHL—the fifth player taken from that junior circuit this draft.
Bolduc already has some size at 6’4” and 212 lb. and put up a career-best 37 points in 65 games this past campaign.
“I was placed (projected) lower in the draft, so I wasn’t expecting to be drafted where I was,” Bolduc said in the media room. “I am a two-way “D”, like to skate with the puck, have a great shot and my first pass is very good and I can play PK (penalty kill) defensively.”
They waited two rounds before selecting Portland Winterhawk center Reece Newkirk in the fifth round (147th overall). The 5’11”, 172 lb. Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan native had a breakout campaign offensively in 2018-19 with 23 goals and 59 points over 68 games in his second year in the circuit.
Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL) center Felix Bibeau was the Islanders sixth round selection (178th overall). Standing 6’0” and 186 lb. he has put up back-to-back 60-point seasons with a combined 50 goals in 124 games.
New York’s final pick was 6’0”, 198 lb. right wing Cole Coskey from Saginaw of the OHL. The Illinois native also has shown his offensive flair with 50 and 63 points for the Spirit over the last two seasons respectively.
“We were pretty happy,” General Manager Lou Lamoriello said after the final pick. “We ended up getting four forwards, two of them center-iceman and different types. One (has) size and strength, one (is) a little chippy and with a little grit behind him, a lot of finesse.”
(Photo by Koz)
