IslesInfo - 1991 Draft

1991 Draft

The Isles entered this draft coming off a period in which they missed the playoffs 2 out of 3 seasons. After looking to the Western Hockey League for the last four seasons with their first round draft pick, GM Bill Torrey decided to go American and draft Scott Lachance from Boston University. Lachance, projected to be an offensive defenseman, turned out to be the exact opposite once he joined the Isles following his stint with the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team. A serviceable player for 7+ seasons, Lachance wore out his stay during the 1998-99 season after struggling defensively. But he did log 450 games as an Islander. The cream of the draft crop was taken in the second round when the Isles tabbed Zigmund Palffy from Dukla Trencin of the Czech Republic. Palffy quickly became a fan favorite and franchise player for the Isles, but unfortunately was never able to spearhead the Isles into the playoffs. Plus he always had a weak supporting cast. In the summer of 1999, under the orders of money pinching ownership, the Isles sent Palffy to LA along with RW Bryan Smolinski & G Marcel Cousineau in exchange for LW Olli Jokinen, LW Josh Green, D Mathieu Biron and LA's 1999 first round pick, 8th overall(LW Taylor Pyatt). Both Lachance and Palffy combined for 781 games played in an Islander uniform. The 1991 draft generated 860 man games among the entire class, which is currently the best of the 1990's for the Islanders to date.

As far as the rest of the draft goes, the Isles decided to take back to back goalies in the third and fourth round. Both McLennan and Hnilicka have turned out to be ok backups in the NHL over their careers. Steve Junker started off a promising career and drifted off after a cup of coffee. Rob Valicevic, like Hnilicka, has been kind of a late bloomer that has seen some part time action thanks to expansion. Andreas Johansson has jumped around and is currently unemployed after spending 2001-02 with the Rangers, his 6th NHL team.

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D Scott Lachance - Joined the Isles following the 1992 Olympics. Played one season at BU. Was compared to Brian Leetch but turned into more of a defensive d-man. Played 7+ seasons for the Isles going 26-79-105 in 450 GP. Traded to Montreal for a 1999 3rd round pick(Brian Collins), 3/9/99. Spent 2 years with VAN. Now with CBJ.
Drafted: 1st round, 4th overall

RW Zigmund Palffy - One of the most prolific goal scorers ever drafted by the Isles. Recorded 3 straight 40+ goal season from 1995-98. In his 5+ season with the Isles he went 168-153-331 in 331 GP. Good enough for 16th all-time. Never made the playoffs until traded to LA on 6/20/99 for three prospects and a first round draft pick.
Drafted: 2nd round, 26th overall

G Jamie McLennan - Served as a backup for the Isles for parts of three seasons from 1993-96. Posted a career record of 17-27-9 in 56 starts with a 3.22 GAA. Became a free agent in July 1996 and signed with St. Louis. For the next 3 years his ice time increased. Spent 2000-01 with Minnesota and 2001-02 with Houston of the AHL.
Draft: 3rd round, 48th overall

G Milan Hnilicka - Played in the WHL in 1992-93. Considered a top up and coming goaltender in the Czech Republic but was always behind McLennan on the depth chart. Was never signed by the Isles. Signed with the Rangers as a free agent in 1999. Played for Hartford of the AHL but has become a #1 with Atlanta from 2000 to the present.
Draft: 4th round, 70th overall

LW Steve Junker - Had an impressive 1992-93 scoring 47 points in 79 games with Capital District of the AHL. Made Isles debut in 1993 playoffs in series vs. Pittsburgh. Digressed in following seasons including a 5 game scoreless stint with the Isles in 1993-94. Became a free agent in 1995. Bounced around in minors. Played in DEL since 1997.
Draft: 5th round, 92nd overall

RW Robert Valicevic - Played 4 years at LSU. Bounced around in the minors from 1995 to 1999. Signed as a free agent with the expansion Nashville Predators in 1999 and spent the next 2+ seasons with them. Scored a respectable 14 goals in 1999-00. Played in 17 games for LA during the 2001-02 season notching 2 points.
Draft: 6th round, 114th overall

C Andreas Johansson - Caught the eye of coach Milbury in training camp of 1995. Played well in the minors and got called up for 3 games where he notched 2 points in 1995-96. Earned another 4 points in 15 games in 1996-97. Traded to PIT along with Darius Kasparaitis for Bryan Smolinski, 11/17/96. Since with OTT, TB, CGY & NYR.
Draft: 7th round, 136th overall

LW Todd Sparks - Played 4 years with Hull Olympiques of the QMJHL and went 104-196-300 in 269 GP from 1988-92. Went on to Spend 3 seasons with the U. of New Brunswick in the CIAU. After seeing some time in the AHL, Sparks toiled in the DEL and British Leagues from 1997-00.
Draft: 8th round, 158th overall

C John Johnson - Spent 4 season in the OHL, mostly with Niagra-Falls where he went 121-138-259 in 227 GP. Suffered quite a few injuries over that time. From 1992 to 1996 he saw time predominantly in the CoHL & ECHL. Has played in German and British leagues since 1996. Played in a 2nd division British league in 2001-02.
Draft: 9th round, 180th overall

LW Robert Canavan - Played four years with Boston College from 1991 to 1995 and went 26-30-56 in 125 games played. Played with the Lakeland Prowlers of the Southern Hockey League in 1995-96 going 7-4-11 in 15 games played.
Draft: 10th round, 202nd overall

C Markus Thuresson - Played for Leksands in the SEL from 1989 to 1995. Was never really in the Isles plans and was traded to San Jose in a deal for Brian Mullen on 8/24/92. Mullen went on to contribute to the Isles playoff run in 1993. Thuresson never came over to North America and remains with Malmo in the SEL since 1997.
Draft: 11th round, 224th overall

C Marty Schriner - Played four years with the U. of North Dakota from 1990 to 1994 going 35-64-99 with 487 PIM's in 145 games played. Schriner obviously was known for his scrappy play more than his offensive ability. Following college he spent two seasons with the Roanoke Express of the ECHL going 12-22-34 in 73 games played.
Draft: 12th round, 246th overall

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