Aitcheson Adding Draft Day, Development Camp to Hit Reel 

Things have been moving fast around Kashawn Aitcheson over the past three days.

The defenseman was drafted 17^th overall by the New York Islanders on Friday night in LA – and by Saturday afternoon he was stepping off a private jet on Long Island. On Monday morning, he was on the ice with the first group at the team’s development camp.

“The last couple of days has been pretty crazy, pretty surreal,” Aitcheson said. “Obviously made your dream comes true by getting drafted, and obviously I got lucky by such a great organization. And then you kind of get on a plane and come right here, and it's super cool.”

Aitcheson is looking to make an impact on the coaches and management at this week’s development camp – and sudden impacts are a big part of his game. The 6’2, 199 lbs. blueliner is known for his thundering open ice hits, which made the rounds on social media on Friday night.

“I learned it from my uncle,” Aitchseon said crediting his uncle, Chris, played Jr. A and NCAA Division III. “He's a big, physical guy. Well, not necessarily big, but a physical guy. I just watched him growing up, and kind of just took that from his game.”

While some fans may have learned about Aitcheson’s physical prowess on Friday, the Ontario Hockey League has been aware for some time. Islanders prospect – and Oshawa General – Calum Ritchie faced off against Aitcheson and the Barrie Colts in the OHL playoffs the past two seasons.

“When he's on the ice, you know he's on the ice,” Ritchie said. “He can blow guys up. He can score goals. He's great two-way defender.”

The hits are just one facet of Aitcheson’s game, but his offensive production make him a dual-threat. Aitcheson’s 26 goals led the Colts and ranked third among d-men in the OHL.

“I model my game after Charlie McAvoy,” Aitcheson said. “He’s a good two-way guy. He likes to lay the boom too and he's kind of a guy you put against there the team's top lines.”

Aitcheson’s pink three-piece suit was also a hit on Friday night, with the blueliner stitching in photos of friends and family into his lining as a tribute to those who helped him get to his draft day.

“I like to wear a nice suit, and kind of dress a little loud sometimes,” Aitcheson said. “Obviously all the lining and pictures of my family, [getting drafted] is because of them.”

The outgoing 18-year-old seems comfortable in his skin as he introduces himself to his new organization. It’s been a whirlwind couple of days, from draft podiums to private planes to putting in the work on the ice, but the young defenseman is eager to show that there are plenty more hits to come, as he kicks off his Isles career.