""This kid, right here, Kashawn Aitcheson. I've never been more sure of a comp to Ed Jovanowski.""
""I've never seen anyone in my 17 years of scouting that can have open ice hits like him.""
""Right now, we have two guys in our top 12," Darche told Head Coach Patrick Roy. "If they're both there, we're taking those two guys.""
""I couldn't believe it," Klatt said. I just said, 'If these two guys fall to us at 16 and 17...' I mean, I was so excited, I said I'll do cartwheels right out of here. It will be a great night for us. Of course, once we picked them both, everyone wanted me to come through on my end of the bet.""
The New York Islanders entered the 2025 NHL Draft knowing they would hold the first overall pick nearly two months beforehand. On draft day the team acquired two additional first-round selections from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Noah Dobson. The Islanders selected Matthew Schaefer first overall and failed to complete a draft-day trade with Boston for James Hagens. With picks 16 and 17 available, first-year GM Mathieu and Director of Amateur Scouting Trent Klatt prioritized Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson. Both prospects remained available and the Islanders selected Eklund and Aitcheson, prompting enthusiastic reactions from the scouting staff.
Read at Eyes On Isles
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