By Warren Kozireski —
One year after using their first three selections on forwards and not having a first-round pick since 2019, the New York Islanders took U.S. National Team Development Program and future Boston University Terrier Cole Eiserman 20th overall at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft in Las Vegas.
Eiserman is a 6’0”, 195 lb. left wing who broke Montreal Canadian Cole Caufield’s record of 126 goals with the National Program. This past season he netted 49 goals in 49 games and added 27 assists. He won’t turn 18 years old until late August.
“I think Cole Eiserman is the best goal-scorer of this draft; it’s an elite quality,” said Craig Button, TSN resident director of scouting, NHL analyst and former NHL general manager told The Hockey News.
“I had no idea (who was going to select him) going into the day and that made it exciting, and it was super-cool when I heard my name called,” Eiserman said after his election.
“I’m definitely a shooter who loves to score goals; I definitely bring a positive attitude and a competitive side. As time goes on, definitely going to become more physical to use my body a lot.
“I definitely see the game different than a lot of people and, whether you like it or not, it’s something that I’m going to bring.”
When asked about his next best hockey trait, Eiserman said at the NHL Draft Combine in May: “probably my playmaking. I think it’s a pretty underrated thing that I get to show because my teammates want me to shoot the puck all the time.
“You see a guy like (Auston) Matthews who scores a lot of goals, but now is being looked at as a Selke guy…and that’s the guy I’m trying to be like in the NHL one day.”
Eiserman is the latest hockey playing family member with older brothers William (UMass-Lowell & Bentley), Chris (goaltender for SUNY Fredonia 2013-15), Shane (U. New Hampshire and ECHL) along with some older cousins.
“They taught me to be more of a person and a man than a hockey player and they’re a lot older than me, so they went through life, and they went through good times and bad times and in between and taught me everything that I need to know and how to deal with adversity. And work—they didn’t have as much skill as I do, so they made it from working and that’s what they tell me to do.”
The Islanders are scheduled to make five more selections in rounds two-seven on Saturday with two of those second rounders.
(Photo by Koz, NY Hockey OnLine)
