NHL Prospect Watch – New York Islanders
In the lead-up to the 2023-24 NHL season, we’re taking a look at the current and former WHL talent in each NHL Club’s prospect pool. In this 32-part series, we’ll highlight the WHL players signed to an NHL contract or recently drafted, 25 years of age or younger with 50 or fewer NHL games played. Join us for a brand-new season of NHL Prospect Watch!
We continue with the prospect pool of the New York Islanders.
Daylan Kuefler
Former Kamloops Blazers forward Daylan Kuefler embarks on his professional hockey career this fall in the New York Islanders organization after being selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NHL Draft. Kuefler, who hails from Stettler, Alta., graduated from the WHL in 2023 after recording back-to-back 30-plus goal seasons, setting a career best this past winter with 61 points (31G-30A) for Kamloops. Kuefler was a consistent performer with the Blazers, especially in the post-season, where he earned 28 points in playoff and Memorial Cup action over the past two seasons. Kuefler signed his entry-level contract with the Islanders in May, shortly before wrapping up his junior hockey career by competing with Kamloops at the 2023 Memorial Cup. Originally selected by the Blazers in the 10th round of the 2017 WHL Draft, Kuefler amassed 144 points (77G-67A) in 184 regular season contests with Kamloops.
Daylan Kuefler nets the Blazers second of the night! #MemorialCup pic.twitter.com/dqoaB3AiSt
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 27, 2023
Reece Newkirk
Former Portland Winterhawks forward Reece Newkirk is set to begin his third season of pro hockey this fall after splitting the past two campaigns between the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders and the Worcester Railers of the ECHL. Last season, Newkirk put up 18 goals and 36 points in his 50 contests with Worcester, adding a goal and four assists in 16 contests with Bridgeport. The 22-year-old, who calls Moose Jaw, Sask., home, was originally selected by the Islanders in the fifth round of the 2019 NHL Draft and signed with the Club following the shortened 2020-21 WHL season. Newkirk spent his entire WHL career with Portland after being picked in the third round of the 2016 WHL Draft, totalling 162 points (69G-93A) in 205 career regular season games.
Reece Newkirk doubles the lead just seconds later! His 3rd goal of the year gives the #RailersHC a 2-0 lead! #AllAboutTheW | #RailersHC | #Worcester pic.twitter.com/xFelfZqocd
— Worcester Railers HC (@RailersHC) November 2, 2022