NY Islanders 6th round pick named Eastern College Athletic Conference Defenseman of the Month

"The revamped NY Islanders prospect pool continues to succeed in their respective 2025-26 campaigns, receiving accolades throughout the season. But this time, it's not one of their high draft picks; instead, a sixth-round defenseman playing in the NCAA. Freshman defenseman Xavier Veilleux of Cornell University was named ECAC Defenseman of the Month for January. The 19-year-old left-hand shot provided three goals and eight assists across 10 contests for the No. 9 Big Red."

"Making the jump to the collegiate ranks this season, Veilleux has elevated his game to another level against stiffer competition. Nearly a point-per-game defenseman with 21 (5 G, 16 A) in 22 games, Veilleux is tied for second in scoring for Cornell, while sitting 11th among all NCAA blue liners. A two-way defenseman, Veilleux has been excelling across all three zones for Cornell. An incredibly cerebral player, the L'Ancienne-Loretta, QC native tends to outsmart his opponents rather than beat them with pure skill."

Xavier Veilleux, a 19-year-old left-shot defenseman at Cornell, earned ECAC Defenseman of the Month for January after recording three goals and eight assists in 10 games. The Islanders selected Veilleux 179th overall out of the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks following junior seasons of 32 and 41 points. As a freshman, Veilleux has 21 points (5 G, 16 A) in 22 games, tied for second in Cornell scoring and 11th among NCAA defensemen. Veilleux plays a two-way game across all three zones, relying on cerebral positioning and decision-making rather than pure skill. The Islanders retain time to sign him while left-side depth remains strong.

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