The New York Islanders announced Tuesday that they have signed their 2010 first round, 5th overall draft pick Nino Niederreiter to a three year entry-level contract. “It’s just fantastic to be a part of the Islanders and even now that I’ve signed here, it’s just unbelievable,” said Niederreiter. “It’s a young team, so it’s a big battle out there and everybody can’t make the team. I know that a spot is open and I’d love to use the spot.”
The 18 year-old became the highest Swiss-born player to ever be drafted in the NHL, and with the rebuild already well underway he stands a great chance of making the roster for this coming season.
In his rookie year in the WHL he led the Portland Winterhawks with 36 goals last season and followed it up with 24 assists and 68 penalty minutes in 65 games. In the playoffs he scored 8 goals and 8 assists in 13 games.
Nino has also excelled in International competition as he represented Switzerland at the 2010 World Junior Championships, where he lead the team with 10 points in seven games (6 goals, 4 assists) and was named to the tournament all-star team. He also played in four games with Team Switzerland at the World Championships last April in Germany.
Nino impressed management in rookie camp where he scored the Islander’s first goal against the Boston Bruins.
"He played extremely well last week in Boston at the rookie games," said Islanders General Manager Garth Snow in a statement. "He's obviously a big body, that's something that he has in his favor going in to training camp, along with his skill set."
At 6’2 205lbs. Neiderreiter already possesses the size and skill to play at the NHL level, and shows great promise to be a top line forward in the future.
Should he make it, Nino joins a cast of young talent on Long Island that will continue to grow and bring Long Island back to Cup contention.
- Kendall Grubbs
No comments:
Post a Comment