Isles Info - 1994 Draft

1994 Draft

The Islanders, coming off a 36-36-12 season in 1993-94, had to battle late in the season to gain the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. But unfortunately in the first round of the playoffs the Islanders suffered probably their most embarrassing defeat ever at the hands of their crosstown rival New York Rangers. GM Don Maloney was looking to add some presence to the lineup along with his 1993 first round pick Todd Bertuzzi. Enter Brett Lindros, the younger brother of Eric. Or as Don Maloney put it in post draft interviews: "the better Lindros." Well, not quite. But the Islanders did covet Brett for what he could bring to the team and his obvious media attraction. The Islanders held the 12th pick overall coming into the draft. Maloney orchestrated a trade that sent big defenseman, and fan favorite, Uwe Krupp and the 12th pick overall (Wade Belak) to the Quebec Nordiques in exchange for Ron Sutter and the 9th pick overall, June 28, 1994. The Islanders selected Brett and the rest is history, even Brett's career which has been cut short sadly by concussions. Following the Lindros pick, the Islanders proceeded to go defense for the next three rounds. Jason Holland, Jason Strudwick and Brad Lukowich were all selected from the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL where all three played an integral part of Kamloops Memorial Cup Championships in 1994 and 1995. None of them would play an integral part ever for the New York Islanders. Not much remains from this draft, but there is one possible bright spot rising out from the 11th round that could be heard from in the near future after all this time. Dick Tarnstrom, after 7 years in Sweden, was signed to a contract in June 2001 by the Islanders. This was the last year that the NHL held 11 rounds in the draft before moving to 9 rounds in 1995.

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RW Brett Lindros - 6'4" 215 pound power forward had his career cut VERY short after suffering 4 concussions during a 6 month span in the 1995-96 season. Drafted out of the Canadian National program and Kingston(OHL). Went 1-3-4 in 33 games with Isles in 1994-95 before being sent back to OHL. Went 1-2-3 in 18 games in 1995-96.
Drafted: 1st round, 9th overall

D Jason Holland - The first of 3 straight d-men selected from Kamloops(WHL). Never gained enough confidence to make the NHL. From 1996 to 1998 he scored 1 goal in 12 games for the Isles. Traded with Paul Kruse to Buffalo for Jason Dawe 3/24/98. Had 1 assist in 12 games with Buffalo. Signed by LA as free agent 8/01.
Drafted: 2nd round, 38th overall

D Jason Strudwick - 6'3" 215 pound defensive d-man is a physical presence. Started out as a top prospect. Notched 1 assist in 18 career games as an Isle. Was traded to Vancouver for Gino Odjick March 23, 1998. Has since been a regular for the Canucks while Odjick is long gone for Isles. Has gone 2-11-13 in 199 games with Canucks.
Draft: 3rd round, 63rd overall

D Brad Lukowich - Quietly traded away June 1, 1996 to Dallas for a 3rd round pick in 1997 (Robert Schnabel). Was traded to Expansion Minnesota in June 2000 and traded back to Dallas a week later. Became a regular in 1999-00. Has gone 8-14-22 in 158 career NHL games. Saw spot duty in Dallas's road to the Stanley Cup in 1999.
Draft: 4th round, 90th overall

G Mark McArthur - Once considered a top prospect in goal for the Isles but was always at the bottom of the depth chart. Battled some injuries as well. Drafted from Guelph(OHL). Played 3 years for Utah(IHL) from 1995 to 1998. In 1995-96 he backed up Tommy Salo as Utah won the Turner Cup. Played 102 IHL games.
Draft: 5th round, 112th overall

LW Albie O'Connell - Played 4 years of college hockey with Boston University from 1995 to 1999. Was a captain during his senior year. Over the 4 years he went 42-66-108 in 149 games played. Spent 1999-00 with Pensacola of the ECHL going 13-28-41 in 67 games. Spent 2000-01 with the Basingstoke Bison in the BNL (British League).
Draft: 5th round, 116th overall -BU Article- -ECHL pics page- -Basingstoke photo-

C Jason Stewart - Played four years of college hockey at St. Cloud State from 1994 to 1998. Went 25-30-55 in 143 games played. Played 31 games for Lowell in 1998-99 notching 2 assists. Also played 31 games for Roanoke of the ECHL. Played in the UHL last season with the New-Haven Knights going 25-21-46 in 59 games played.
Draft: 6th round, 142nd overall -Knights photo-

LW Mike Loach - Played for 4 different teams in the OHL from 1993 to 1997 going 81-77-158 in 229 games played. From 1996 to 1999 he bounced around with teams in the ECHL, WPHL and CHL. In that time he went 19-23-42 in 91 games played. He has an older brother named Lonnie who has been a longtime minor leaguer as well.
Draft: 8th round, 194th overall

C Peter Hogardh - Pick acquired from Boston for Daniel Marois. Not on Isles roster. From 1992 to 1996 he split time with Frolunda(SWE) junior squad, div. 2 squad and their elite team. From 1996 to 1998 he played in Finland. From 1998 to 2000 he went 53-59-112 in 81 games with Rogle(Div.2). 21 pts in 49 games with Modo in 2000-01.
Draft: 8th round, 203rd overall

LW Gord Walsh - Played 4 years in the OHL split between the Guelph Storm and the Kingston Frontenacs. Went 76-92-168 in 237 games played. Low numbers for the amount of games he played. Went 1-1-2 in 17 career OHL playoff games. Did not go on to play professional hockey.
Draft: 9th round, 220th overall

D Kirk Dewaele - Defensive d-man played for 5 different teams in the WHL from 1993 to 1997. Went 8-52-60 in 238 games played. From 1997 to 2000 he played for Tallahassee and Pensacola in the ECHL going 7-22-29 in 197 games played. In 2000-01 with the Fresno Falcons of the WCHL he went 8-19-27 in 65 games played.
Draft: 10th round, 246th overall -Dewaele fan page- -pics page- -Fresno profile-

D Dick Tarnstrom - Has played with AIK in the Swedish Elite League since 1992. Went 42-75-117 in 346 games during that time, including 10-18-28 in 50 games in 2000-01. Just signed a contract with the Isles in June 2001. 26 year old provides good depth.
Draft: 11th round, 272nd overall

1998-2006 Tom Mascioli