Islanders Prospect Report: Nov. 16, 2020

Welcome to the Islanders Prospect Report, a weekly roundup of the Islanders junior, collegiate and European prospects. Visit our In The System page for more prospect content.
Here's this week's latest updates on the Isles prospects:

Salo Heating Up

Robin Salo lit the lamp and strung together points in three-straight games for Orebro in the Swedish Hockey League, Sweden's top league. Salo, who was drafted by the Islanders 46th overall in 2017, has four points (1G, 3A) in his last three games and recorded a two-point (1G, 1A) outing on Nov. 12.
Salo now has eight points (2G, 6A) through 16 games with Orebro. Salo and Orebro are ranked third overall in the SHL with 30 points and a record of 8-2-2-4 (W, OTW, OTL, L).

Koivula Lights the Lamp

Back in his home country Otto Koivula, is heating up again. The Isles' 2016 fourth-rounder (120th overall), who was loaned to HIFK of Finland's top pro circuit, Liiga, is riding a four-game point streak. Koivula has recorded six points (1G, 5A) during that span.
The winger scored his third goal of the season in HIFK's 7-4 rout over Flies on Nov. 14. Koivula now has nine points (3G, 6A) through 10 games. HIFK and Koivula are ranked third overall in Liiga with a record of 6-5-4.

Rajaniemi Records First Point of the Season

Matias Rajaniemi, who was selected in the sixth round in 2020 (183rd overall) posted his first point of the season with the Lahti Pelicans in Liiga.
The 18-year-old lengthy blueliner recorded an assist on Nov. 11 against the TPS, which is the team of fellow Islander prospect Ruslan Iskhakov. Rajaniemi now has one assist and six PIMs through 13 games with the Pelicans, who are ranked fourth overall in Liiga with a record of 7-6-1.

Golyshev Scores Game-Winner

Tweet from @khl\_eng: Never give up on a play. Be like Anatoly Golyshev. pic.twitter.com/K7hFRTjzP4
Anatoly Golyshev kept the momentum going with Avtombolist in the KHL last week with his two-point (1G, 1A) outing on Nov. 12. The Isles' 2016 fourth rounder (95th overall) scored the game-winner - his eighth goal of the season - and added an assist in Avtombolist's 2-1 win over Lokomotiv.
Through 21 games this season, Golyshev has compiled 16 points (8G, 8A) and three game-winning goals. Avtomobolist currently sits in third place overall in the KHL with a record of 17-4-3.

QMJHL On the Brink of Return

William Dufour and the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) are one week away from returning to full game action. The Isles' 2020 fifth rounder (152nd overall) and the Voltigeurs have been sidelined since Oct. 10 with the remaining Quebec division teams of the 'Q' due to positive COVID-19 tests around the league.
Dufour and Drummondville will resume their season on Nov. 17 against the Quebec Remparts in a 'protected environment.' To limit the amount of exposure to COVID-19 and try and enable the Quebec-based teams to resume their seasons, the QMJHL announced previously that from Nov. 17-27, the seven teams will play temporarily establish their headquarters in Quebec City's Videotron Center and each will play six regular-season games.

Pivonka and NCAA Return

Jake Pivonka and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish kicked off the return of NCAA hockey with a BIG Ten weekend matchup against Wisconsin. The Irish lost the series in a weekend sweep with a 2-0 loss on Friday, Nov. 13 and a 5-3 loss on Saturday, Nov. 14.
Pivonka didn't record a point in the opening weekend of his junior season, but the Isles' 2018 fourth rounder (103rd overall) still made some noteworthy contributions.
In Friday's opener, Pivonka fired off four total shots on goal and went 14-for-22 at the faceoff circle. On Saturday, the centerman took his first penalty of the season for cross checking, posted two shots on goal and went 11-for-20 at faceoff draws.
Notre Dame will play their next series and first road trip of the season against Michigan beginning on Friday, Nov. 27.
For the other Isles' prospects playing in the NCAA, their respective start dates for the 2020-21 season vary. Christian Krygier will start his junior season with the Michigan State Spartans on Nov. 19 for a series against Arizona State. Benjamin Mirageas and Providence College return on Nov. 27 in a weekend series against Boston College. Alex Jefferies and the Merrimack College Warriors will take on Maine for their season opener on Dec. 4. Andong Song and Cornell University have yet to announce their start date for this season.

PROSPECT STATS