The New York Islanders announced on Mar. 23 that prospect Cole Eiserman has signed a three-year entry-level contract after his sophomore season with Boston University was cut short. Eiserman, who was selected 20th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, finished the season with 28 points in 32 games and led his team with 18 goals.
Eiserman made his debut for the Bridgeport Islanders of the American Hockey League over the weekend, registering one shot on goal in each game against the Hershey Bears. The signing comes as several other Islanders prospects prepare to compete in major postseason tournaments at both collegiate and junior levels.
Four Islanders prospects have qualified for the NCAA Division One Men’s Ice Hockey Championship tournament: Sam Laurila (North Dakota), Quinn Finley (Wisconsin), Xavier Veilleux (Cornell), and Tomas Machu (Providence). Laurila’s North Dakota team is seeded second and will face Merrimack University on Mar. 26, while Machu’s Providence squad plays Quinnipiac University earlier that day. If both teams win their opening games, Laurila and Machu could face each other in the Regional Final.
Finley’s Wisconsin Badgers are set to play Dartmouth College after being eliminated from their conference quarterfinals by Ohio State, while Veilleux leads all Cornell defensemen as they take on Denver University following a close loss to Princeton in their own conference quarterfinals.
In Canadian junior hockey, three Islanders prospects—Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie Colts), Luca Romano (Kitchener Rangers), and Jesse Nurmi (London Knights)—are competing in Ontario Hockey League playoffs. Aitcheson recently signed an entry-level contract with New York after leading OHL defensemen with 70 points this season. In addition, Jacob Kvasnicka of Penticton Vees and Tomas Poletin of Kelowna Rockets will represent the organization during Western Hockey League playoff action.
The report also provides updated statistics for all active prospects across North America and Europe as they enter critical stages of their respective seasons.
