Just uploaded some pics and a video of the press conference for Nino Niederreiter, check them out!

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The Islanders select Nino Niederreiter with the 5th overall selection

By being selected fifth overall, Niederreiter has been drafted highest of any Swiss player ever. The closest was Michel Riesen at 14th overall in 1997.

The addition of Niederreiter to an already stocked farm system means that the Islanders are that much closer to competing at a level they hope they can. The last few years have given them some top tier talent and enabled them an entire crop of home grown players. That’s a great feeling.

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Just getting settled in here at the Staples Center. sitting right next to Yahoo’s Puck Daddy – Greg Wyshnyski and BD Gallof of Hockey Independent.

Here is my view of the Draft Floor

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Just got to the arena. The metro is cheap, and fast!

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Here is a story I had written yesterday on the flight over to LA from NY. I had been asked a few times in the last few weeks why I go so crazy covering hockey. I had thought about some of the reasons as to why I love the draft as much as I do and here is the result. You can also read the story over on Bleacher Report as well. I hope you enjoy it!

Summer is here, the Stanley Cup has been raised high and teams have settled in for a much deserved summer break. That only means one thing, it’s Entry Draft time!

For the third year in a row, I have made the journey to cover the NHL draft live from the event. At the time of this writing, I am halfway across the great American Frontier on my way to Los Angeles, California. I imagine the scene here in the US will differ slightly from what I experienced in Ottawa and Montreal—being they reside in hockey’s hotbed, also known as Canada. However, I am sure the scene here in Los Angeles will be a party full of hardcore fans none-the-less.

People in my life, friends, and family—all think I am crazy for spending as much time and money covering the game of hockey. To me it’s not crazy, it’s a privilege as I get to experience the game I love on a level not many are fortunate enough to experience.

Attending the draft is a special experience, as someone who has played the game of hockey my entire life, I can appreciate the time and effort these young men, and more importantly—their parents, dedicate to the sport. It’s a wild perspective to sit in and bear witness on draft day.

What makes the planning, expense, vacation time, and especially the writing all worthwhile, is watching these young players realize their dreams of becoming professional hockey players has become reality. It’s a magical feeling watching lives change, in a positive way, right before your very eyes.

Another benefit of attending the draft and covering the New York Islanders, I get to watch the young players whom are selected by the team, grow and progress through their young careers witnessing maturation into both men and world class athletes.

Perhaps, in some small way I am living the dream through these players—vicariously if you will. Beyond the obvious difference in talent, players of any level share a common bond for the love of the game. Be it the pro level, or your average Men’s league player—we all willingly play a sport that takes a toll out on our bodies and continue to play for as long as we can.

This is why I go through the lengths that I do to cover the sport, I may only be a blogger who isn’t a writer by day—but I do it for the love of the game and nothing else.

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Good afternoon Islanders fans!

Just checking in here LIVE from Los Angeles, California – well from my hotel room at least. I’ve been doing some last minute research here and there to be prepared for the first round of the draft later on this afternoon. I wanted to put up a sticky post for you all following at home today with the draft selections. I will update it should any changes occur (and I am sure they will):

• Round 1 – 5th overall
• Round 2 – 35th overall and 58th overall (acquired via San Jose in trade with Ottawa for Andy Sutton)
• Round 3 – 65th overall and 82nd overall
• Round 4 – 95th overall
• Round 5 – 125th overall
• Round 6 – 155th overall and 160th overall (acquired via trade with NY Rangers for Jyri Niemi)
• Round 7 – 185th overall

Be sure to follow me on Twitter and over at Bleacher Report all weekend as I will be writing all over the place on the draft!

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Hey there Islanders fans!

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up if they have not already heard, but the New York Islanders are looking for a few more bloggers for the Blog Box this season! They will be hosting auditions during the Draft Party at the Coliseum tomorrow. If you have an established blog and want to enjoy the same access to the team as some of the other Islanders blogs, I suggest you get over there tomorrow and give this a shot.

Here are some details:

The New York Islanders, for the last three years, have granted unprecedented access to Islanders bloggers, allowing them to cover the team.

Talk about cool, right?

Well this season, the Islanders are looking to create an even better Blog Box and are looking to add three established bloggers. If you would like to be one of the newest Isles bloggers, auditions will be held at the 2010 Islanders Draft Party on Friday, June 25 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The selected bloggers will then be interviewed by the Islanders communications staff and the winners will be notified.

We are looking for you, so come on out to the 2010 Draft Party and show us what you can do!

Contact Katrina Doell at Katrina.Doell@NewYorkIslanders.com for more information.

After submitting the following information, you will be contacted by Islanders Communications staff with further instructions on attending the Draft Party.

The Blog Box is sponsored by Farmingdale State College

For more information, head on over to the Islanders website to fill out the form in order to try out.

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Good morning Islanders fans!

I’ve been meaning to put up an announcement for quite some time now (as well as content) – but for the third year in a row I am headed to the NHL Entry Draft!

As you may already know, this years draft is located in Los Angeles, California – so it’s quite the haul compared to Ottawa and Montreal years prior.

Another difference, I am the lone Blog Boxer headed out, so it should be interesting.

In the coming days I have some exciting lead up content planned for both my site and over at Bleacher Report, where I am the Featured Islanders columnist.

I cannot wait to see who the Islanders pick up in the five slot in this years draft!

Stay tuned to my site, my Twitter feed, Bleacher Report and of course the Islanders website and Twitter feeds for constant NHL Draft updates throughout the draft!!

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8:00pm Just turned on Versus – they are giving some background on some of the top picks in this years NHL entry draft.

8:02pm Showing a video of the borrowed NY lottery picker – lol

8:08pm Ken Morrow up on the TSN set, as he was last year. Garth Snow is the only GM not attending (luck he claims). They just joked with Morrow, calling him a good luck charm.

8:10pm 7thWoman just proclaimed on Twitter that Morrow looks HUGE on stage next to everyone else. I say it makes him look even luckier!

8:13pm It’s all Taylor vs Tyler apparently – so their videos keep saying.

8:20pm They are about to start – nerves are starting. 8.1% chance the Islanders move up….

Top Five Picks:

#5 – Islanders
#4 – Columbus
#3 – Panthers
#2 – Bruins
#1 – Oilers

And like that, the Islanders own the 5th pick and do not move up or down. If history proves anything here, that pick could very well be on the move (up I hope this time Garth). I guess LA will be a little exciting this year after all.

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Well everyone, tonight is the night – it’s the night we all see if the balls fall in the Islanders favor or if the team’s pick will drop as low as the sixth overall.

The chance that the Islanders move up from the 5th selection is 8.1%, their best chance is to stay at number 5 which is what happened two years ago when they selected Bailey (the Islanders traded the 5th for the 7th and eventually the 9th to select Bailey). The worst case scenario tonight, is that their selection drops one slot to number 6 overall. Check out my post from last year with all the John Tavares craziness.

A bunch of crazy things have happened – here is a handy table with all the past lottery results (well for the first overall selection) since the inception of the lottery in 1995:

NHL DRAFT DRAWING HISTORY

* NY Rangers obtained Chicago’s pick in a trade (via Vancouver and Tampa Bay). The Rangers
selected RW Pavel Brendl fourth overall.
** Columbus obtained Florida’s pick in a trade. The Blue Jackets selected LW Rick Nash first overall.
*** Pittsburgh obtained Florida’s pick in a trade. The Penguins selected G Marc-Andre Fleury
first overall.

There is a lot more history on the past draft lotteries, head on over to the NHL’s site for all of that.

Here is what the New York Islanders have up on their page as well.

Once the lottery begins, I will put up another post with a live blog!

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The Islanders have just made their final selection, as we eat lunch – (ughhhh).

With the 152nd overall selection, they selected 6’2″ 214lb centerman Anders Lee from Edina HS in Minnesota.

The only information on the net on Anders Lee comes from Hockey’s Future:

History

2007-08: After two successful years at St. Thomas Academy, Anders Lee transferred to Edina prior to this season. He enjoyed a stellar junior campaign at Edina High School, where he played alongside Edina’s two junior sensations Zach Budish and Marshall Everson. Lee finished third on the Hornet roster in scoring with 54 points (32 goals, 22 assists) in 31 appearances. His 32 goals were second on the team and he averaged 1.74 points per game. Among the accolades Lee received included a spot on the Pioneer Press All-State First Team and an honorable mention to the AP All-State team. Lee, who has carried a near 4.0 GPA at Edina this season in addition to his excellence on the ice, has garnered considerable interest from a number of D-I schools, most notably from Harvard.
Talent Analysis

At 6’2.5/213 lbs, Lee is a man-child. It is easy to spot him on the ice because of his imposing size and tremendous strength. He is exceedingly strong on his skates and quite mobile. What stands out about Lee’s skating however is the great balance and agility that he has for such a big man. He also has some speed to go with it. Lee utilizes his large frame, strength and long reach to great advantage. He is not only a difficult player to move off of the puck, but he can also power his way through the opposition’s checks too. He is very strong along the boards and in the corners. Where Lee’s use of his size and strength are particularly noticeable are in his relentless drives to the net and in protecting the puck. He can also deliver some bone-jarring hits as well.

One of Lee’s greatest attributes is his very heavy shot. He can get pucks to the net and gets his shots off very quickly. He is a smart player who competes hard and sees the ice remarkably well. He is defensively responsible and is a competent penalty killer.

An area where Lee really excelled this season with Edina was on face-offs. He possesses nice hands and is very poised with the puck. While his passing skills are good, it’s an area that can and should improve with maturity and development.
Future

One dilemma that Lee poses to prospective NHL teams who are considering selecting him in this year’s draft is that he has also excelled at and has drawn considerable scouting interest in his other dominant sport – football.

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The Islahttp://www.islesblogger.com/wp/wp-admin/link-add.phpnders just started off the fifth round by selecting 6’1″ 183lb Russian defenseman Anton Klementyev.

Unfortunately, there is NO other information on this prospect just yet.

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