IslesInfo - 2001 Draft

2001 Draft

For the first time in their 30 year history, the New York Islanders did not make a first round selection in the annual entry draft. First off, the Islanders finished off with the worst record in the NHL in 2000-01. After winning the draft lottery and leapfrogging over Atlanta from the 5th to the 1st draft selection in 2000, the Isles unfortunately received some payback as Atlanta won the 2001 lottery and leaped from the 2nd selection to number 1. The Islanders now were set to wheel and deal since Ilya Kovalchuk, the Russian sniper and Pavel Bure clone, was now out of reach. GM Mike Milbury pulled off a huge deal before the draft even started acquiring #1 center Alexei Yashin from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for defenseman Zdeno Chara, right wing Bill Muckalt and the 2nd selection overall. Yashin, a proven 40 goal and 80-90 point guy, is considered a bull. He is very sturdy and needed a change of location. He held out from the Senators in 1999-00 while under contract because he wanted his $3.5 million dollar contract raised to $8 million a year. An arbitrator ruled in the Senators favor and Yashin returned in 2000-01 to finish out his contract. The Islanders are reportedly close to signing him to a unprecedented 10 year $90 million dollar deal.

After Milbury strengthened the center slot by adding Yashin, he continued to pull the trigger once again on the second day of the draft and acquired second line center Michael Peca from Buffalo for 1999 selections Tim Connolly and Taylor Pyatt. Peca held out as a restricted free agent in 2000-01 and is destined to become the next Islander captain. Also, the day before the draft began, the Islanders acquired powerplay defenseman Adrian Aucoin from Tampa Bay in exchange for Mathieu Biron and a 2002 second round pick. Back to the 2001 draft. The Isles gave up their 2001 second round pick in last years draft day deal with Tampa Bay that got the Islanders the 5th pick overall in 2000 and Raffi Torres. The third round pick was traded during the second round to the Florida Panthers in exchange for their 4th round pick and their 2002 3rd round selection. The Islanders previously did not have a 4th round pick. Which leads us to the actual selection of Cory Stillman, cousin of the current NHL'er, who the Islanders consider a steal. The ultimate sleeper pick would be if 5th round selection Dusan Salficky can come in next season and become a formidable presence in the Islanders net.

C Cory Stillman - Good size and offensive ability may have been overlooked by NHL scouts. More than doubled his offensive output in 2000-01 with 29 goals and 56 points in 68 games. He went 13-10-23 in 61 games in 1999-00. Look for him to possibly score 40 goals in 2001-02. The Isles were pleased to select him in the 4th round.
Drafted: 4th round, 101st overall

G Dusan Salficky - Signed on July 6, 2001 to a one way, one year contract. The Isles hope Dusan can help answer some questions in goal for the team. Currently the best goaltender in Czechoslovakia, he will be given every chance to be the #1 in net in 2001-02. Has been a career backup to guys like Roman Cechmanek and Milan Hnlicka.
Drafted: 5th round, 132nd overall

G Andy Chiodo - First year OHL goaltender in 2000-01 was subject of bizarre draft day move, getting drafted twice! The Atlanta Thrashers mistake call was the Isles gain. Chiodo posted a 2.49 GAA in 38 games last season. He won the F.W. Dinty Moore Trophy for best GAA by a rookie goaltender, an award previously won by Jeff Hackett.
Draft: 6th round, 166th overall

D Jan Holub - Projected as a defensive defenseman by Islanders head European scout Anders Kallur. Notched only 3 assists in 31 games with his junior team last season. Has plenty of time to develop. Has been a recent addition to the Czech Junior National Team.
Draft: 7th round, 197th overall

RW Mike Bray - Not known for his offense but rather for his physical play. A recent story in the Hockey News pointed out that he was almost a cast-off one year ago. Last year he impressed going 10-10-20 in only 41 games. Scout Mario Saraceno sees him as a possible future 3rd or 4th line player. The Isles need an enforcer. Maybe it's Bray.
Draft: 8th round, 228th overall

RW Bryan Perez - Scout Brian Hunter says Perez will be considered the go to guy at Michigan Tech in 2001-02. Played for Des Moines of the USHL in 1999-00 and sat out last year due to academic ineligibility with MTU. Was added to the U.S. National Junior evaluation camp on June 27th and made the team for their summer tournament.
Draft: 9th round, 260th overall

D Roman Kuhtinov - When drafting in the 9th round you are either looking for a lucky turnout or an older player who can play sooner than later. Not much is known yet about Kuhtinov except that he is 26 years old. Perhaps he will turn out to be the next Radek Martinek or Dick Tarnstrom. Went 7-10-17 in 41 games last season in Russian League.
Draft: 9th round, 280th overall

C Juha-Pekka Ketola - Ketola is a member of the Finnish National Junior Team. Is considered a "heart and soul" player on that team by the Islanders coaching staff. Was recently drafted by the QMJHL's Sherbrooke Castors in the CHL Import Draft. Went 6-10-16 in 44 games last season with his junior league team. Has size, needs to bulk up.
Draft: 9th round, 287th overall

1998-2005 Tom Mascioli