CHICAGO, IL (June 24, 2017) – The New York Islanders selected three defensemen and two forwards on the second day of the 2017 National Hockey League Draft at the United Center in Chicago. Robin Salo (46th overall), Benjamin Mirageas (77th overall), Sebastian Aho (139th overall), Arnaud Durandeau (165th overall) and Logan Cockerill (201st overall) were selected in rounds two through seven.
Salo, 18, scored 16 points (one goal, 15 assists) in his second full season with Sport Vaasa of the Finnish Elite League (Liiga). His 15 assists led all Vaasa defensemen and ranked second on the team. The Espoo, Finland native won a gold medal at the 2016 Under-18 World Junior Championships and a silver medal at the 2015 Under-18 World Junior Championships. Salo was the Islanders first draft pick of the 2017 NHL draft.
Mirageas, 18, combined for 19 points (two goals, 17 assists) during his first full season in the United States Hockey League with the Bloomington Thunder and Chicago Steel. Mirageas co-led all USHL defensemen in playoff scoring with 10 assists while helping the Steel win the 2017 Clark Cup (USHL champions). The Newburyport, MA native is committed to play at Providence College next season.
Aho, 21, ranked second on Skelleftea AIK in assists (20) and third in points (30) in 50 games during his fourth season in the Swedish Hockey League. His 30 points led all Skelleftea defensemen and ranked third in the SHL. The Umea, Sweden native represented Sweden at the 2015 World Junior Championships, as well as the Under-18 World Junior Championships in 2013 and 2014.
Durandeau, 18, ranked fourth on the Halifax Mooseheads in assists (26) and sixth in points (41) in 64 games in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League last season. The Beaconsfield, QC native has totaled 70 points (27 goals, 43 assists) in 127 QMJHL games over two seasons.
Cockerill, 18, scored 27 points (14 goals, 13 assists) in 52 games as an alternate captain with the United States National Team Development Program. Cockerill won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2017 Under-18 World Junior Championships in Slovakia. The Brighton, MI, native is committed to play his college hockey at Boston University.
