C Tim Connolly -
Playmaker scored 75 points in his first two seasons with the Isles. Struggled to score goals with 24.
Lacked confidence in shooting the puck. With new ownership and a new found
financial stability, the Islanders traded youth for an established leader in Michael
Peca at the Draft on June 24, 2001.
Drafted: 1st round, 5th overall
LW Taylor Pyatt -
Powerful
skater. Future power forward, son of
former NHLer Nelson Pyatt. 6-3 220lb left winger struggled offensively in
his rookie season of 2000-01. Only tallied 4 goals, 18 points but showed
glimpses of offensive ability, speed and aggression. Unfortunately the Isles had
to part with him to acquire Michael Peca.
Drafted: 1st round, 8th overall
D Branislav Mezei - Last cut at
Isles training camp in 1999. Sent to minors start of 2000 season but called up midway and remained for balance of 2000-01. Uses size(6-4, 221 lbs) and hurts opposing players when he does. Has been
compared to former Isles great Ken Morrow. Most improved rookie during
the season will be a mainstay.
Draft: 1st round, 10th overall
D Kristian Kudroc - The Isles moved up in the draft to select
their 4th first round pick of 99'. The 6-6 240lb d-man was one
of the top rookies in the QMJHL in 99-00. Rights sent to Tampa
Bay in a deal along with G Kevin Weekes in exchange for 5th pick
overall(LW Raffi Torres) in 2000 Draft. Uses size, good skill.
Draft: 1st round, 28th overall
RW Mattias Weinhandl -
Considered a steal in the third
round. Missed 2 months in 1999-00 season after hit in the eye by a
Czech Republic player. Played on line called "19 Line" with
Sedin twins for Modo, Sweden at the time. He went 16-16-32 in 48 games
during 2000-01.
Considered a possible future second line player by Isles director of scouting
Gordie Clark. Will return to play in Swedin again for the 2001-02 season.Draft: 3rd round, 78th overall
C Brian Collins - A speedy forward the Isles are high on,
Collins enjoyed a solid season at BU in 1999-00 as a freshman.
In 42 games he went 13-11-24 with 52PIM's. Finished second on the Terriers in
scoring in 2000-01 going 14-16-30 in 37 games. Look for him to improve on last years
totals when he becomes more of a leader as a Junior.
Draft: 3rd round, 87th overall
RW Juraj Kolnik -
Tore up the QMJHL in 1999-00 notching 53 goals with the Memorial Cup champs Rimouski.
Went 53-53-106 in only 47 games. Slovak started off 2000-01
slow but benefited when GM Mike Milbury switched prospects from Lowell to
Springfield of AHL. Showed scoring touch with Isles going 4-3-7 in 29 games.
Draft: 4th round, 101st overall
D Johan Halvardsson -
Hasn't been getting much ice time over in Sweden with HV-71 of the SEL. Considered a defensive d-man, Halvardsson went
scoreless in 33 games played in 2000-01. Had only 3 assists in 46
games in 1999-00 and went
1-2-3 in 17 games the previous year of 1998-99. Attended Isles camp
in 1999 and played well.
Draft: 4th round, 102nd overall
C Justin Mapletoft -
WHLer the Isles
are very high on. Mapletoft was a huge surprise in 1999-00 as
he went 39-57-96 in 72 games with the Red Deer Rebels.
Justin turned up his game with help of 4 time Stanley Cup Champ
Brent Sutter, Red Deer's coach. Update: 2000-01 WHL Scoring Champ with
43-77-120. Signed June 1st, 3 yr deal.
Draft: 5th round, 130th overall
D Adam Johnson - A hulking defenseman at 6-7
220lbs. He only
notched 3 assists in 1999-00 with Tri City of the WHL and went 6-9-15 in 57
games with Lethbridge in 2000-01. Born in MN. With a deadline of June1st 2001 to
sign junior players drafted in 1999, the Islanders agreed to terms with
Mapletoft, but decided not to sign Johnson.
Draft: 5th round, 140th overall
RW Bjorn Melin - Melin is considered a longterm project by the
Islanders. He plays for HV-71 Jonkoping in Sweden, the same team
as Halvardsson. The 6-1 178lbs Right Winger scored 3 goals in 23
games during 1999-00, his first year in the Elite league. He was
recently named to Team Sweden, 2nd year in a row, for the WJC.
Draft: 6th round, 163rd overall
D Radek Martinek - Isles feel they may have a sleeper in Martinek
Turns 25 in late August. Went
8-10-18 in 44 games during 2000-01,
not bad offensive numbers in the Czech League. Martinek has been a
mainstay for the Czech National Team the last few seasons. Signed
with the Isles in June. Look for him to make the Islanders next season.Draft: 8th round, 228th overall
C Brett Henning - Son of former
Isles great Lorne
Henning. Unfortunately suffered a career ending neck injury after
receiving a hit during
a game for Notre Dame in the 2000-01 season. Will be ok, but informed
not to play anymore by doctors who feared paralysis if Brett was hit
again. Sad ending to a promising career for a
young player who grew up around the Isles organization. Went
10-13-23 in 86 career games with NDU.Draft: 9th round, 255th overall
D Tyler Scott - Played 3 years for Upper Canada College before
redshirting during the 1999-00 season with UNH. Another longshot prospect,
Scott has some size at 6-1 215lbs. Exactly where he played his hockey during
2000-01 is unknown.
Draft: 9th round, 268th overall
