2023 Draft Notebook

The New York Islanders made five picks at the 2023 NHL Draft, selecting three forwards and two defensemen in the second, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.

Islanders President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello was happy with this year's crop of prospects.

"Our scouts are really excited about our second pick in Nelson," Lamoriello said. "They feel that he's a real good prospect. We were able to get two different types of defensemen, one a stay home and the other an offensive [defenseman]. The forwards all have speed, which is what we wanted to accomplish. Everybody feels good. When your scouts feel good, you feel good, because they see them and the consensus was that they're happy with the way the day went."

Read about Danny Nelson, the Islanders second-round pick, here. See below for other notes and quotes from the Draft.

Zachary Schulz Enters Isles Organization with Teammate Danny Nelson

Four rounds after selecting Nelson from the USNTDP, the Islanders drafted another player from the U-18 team, selecting defenseman Zachary Schultz in the sixth round (177th overall).

"It's unbelievable," Schulz said of being drafted. "It's been a long day, but to hear my name finally called by such a great organization, it's so surreal and it's everything you've worked for and I couldn't be happier."

Schultz, who is committed to the University of Wisconsin next season, is a left-handed stay-at-home defenseman, modeling his game after Ian Cole.

"I like to play hard and physical and against those top guys and shut them down," Schulz said. "And then provide my offense and making that good first pass and setting my teammates up for success."

He captained the US U18 Team to a gold medal at this year's IIHF U-18s. He said he appreciated the trust of his teammates and coaches to wear the C. The Islanders, who factor character and leadership into their player acquisitions, took notice of his captaincy.

"Without question I think that's an asset and every report we had on him, his character and leadership was and is exceptional," Lamoriello said. "You can't ever teach [character] you have to have it and his compete level was extremely high. That was unanimous in all our meetings."

Schulz was excited at the prospect of joining the Islanders organization with an USNTDP teammate in Nelson.

"He's one of my closest buddies," Schulz said. "He's an unbelievable player, unbelievable person, and works so hard at what he does and he supports his teammates and that's all you can ask for."

Schulz said he also has a relationship with Quinn Finley, the Isles 2022 third-rounder, who has spoken highly of his experience in the organization. Schulz will spend most of his summer at Wisconsin, but is excited to begin the next phase of his hockey career.

"I couldn't do any of this without my parents and my family who are supporting me," Schulz said. "Seeing my teammates from the years and giving them hugs because all of them got drafted to so just happy for everyone here, including myself."

Justin Gill's Breakout Year Led to Isles Draft

The Islanders drafted 20-year-old Justin Gill from the Sherbrooke Phoenix, where the overager had a breakout 93-point season (44G, 49A). That output doubled his previous career-high.

"We had a very good team in Sherbrooke so for me it was only to try to play my best every game to help the team win," Gill said. "I had good teammates with me, so I knew if I played my game simple and normal, everything would come along pretty good and I think that's what I did and that's what happened this year."

As a 20-year-old, Gill can't return to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League next season, so his focus will be breaking into the professional ranks.

"I want to play pro hockey next year, so that's my main goal for the summer," Gill said.

Jesse Nurmi to Play in Finland Next Season

Jesse Nurmi called it a dream come true to be drafted into the NHL, but his transition to North America may be a few years away.

The Finnish winger was the sixth-leading scorer (50 points in 41 games) in U20 SM-sarja, Finland's top junior league, and was named to the league's first all-star team. He's poised to make the jump into Liiga and has a two-year deal with KooKoo.

The winger said he's idolized Finnish players like Patrik Laine and Sebastian Aho and highlighted his offensive abilities as his biggest strength.