Mini Camp Notebook: Jr. Defensemen

Three defensemen: David Quenneville, Mitchell Vande Sompel and Parker Wotherspoon all had big offensive seasons in the Canadian junior leagues. We don't see them much outside of the Islanders Prospect Report, so NewYorkIslanders.com caught up with the junior defenseman during their week at camp.
Get caught up with some of the Islanders defensive prospects during a mid-summer check-in.

DAVID QUENNEVILLE2016-17: Defenseman, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) 49GP, 23G, 36A, 59P
David Quenneville had a career year for the Medicine Hat Tigers after being drafted by the Islanders in the seventh round of the 2016 draft. Quenneville set career highs in goals (23) and points (59) in 49 games, scoring over a point-per-game for the first time in his career.
He managed his career year despite a broken leg that sidelined him for nearly seven weeks. He said he wasn't at his best to end the season, but still finished with 10 points in the final 10 regular season games and scored 13 points in 11 playoff games.
Quenneville is a small, but thick defenseman at 5'8, 187 lbs and can pack a lot into his slap shot, hitting 91 mph on the radar gun at Thursday's skills competition. The 19-year-old isn't eligible to play in Bridgeport, so the turn pro is another year away and he'll likely be heading back to Medicine Hat next season.

MITCHELL VANDE SOMPEL2016-17: Defenseman Oshawa Generals, London Knights (OHL) 67GP, 20G, 33A, 53P
After winning a Memorial Cup in 2015 with the Oshawa Generals, Mitchell Vande Sompel had already reached the highest peak in Canadian junior hockey.
But there was one last big thrill waiting this season and after three-and-a-half years with Oshawa, the London, ON, native was traded to his hometown at the OHL trade deadline.
"I was pretty fortunate to win a Memorial Cup with Oshawa and then getting traded back to my hometown to make a run for it in my last year essentially was special to me," Vande Sompel said.
"You grow up wanting to play there and getting the opportunity to play there with an incredible team was pretty special," he added.
Vande Sompel finished his OHL career with 174 points (47G, 127A) in 218 games. He scored a career-high 20 goals this season, while his 53 points were 10 off his career best (63 in 2014-15). He said shooting more was more of a focus this season, as was his defensive play while this offseason is about getting bigger and stronger.
As for next year, the 20 year old is now old enough to play in Bridgeport, so the AHL could be the next step.

PARKER WOTHERSPOON2016-17: Defenseman, Tri-City Americans (WHL) 66GP, 10G, 56A, 66P
Parker Wotherspoon had a career-year to cap off his time in the WHL, scoring 66 points (10G, 56A) in 69 games for the Tri-City Americans. His 66 points were the fourth-most of any WHL defenseman this season he finished his junior career with 182 points (32G, 150A) in 279 games - all with Tri-City.
The next step for Wotherspoon is likely Bridgeport, but the Islanders 2015 fourth-rounder already has some experience, playing 10 games with the Sound Tigers over the past two seasons.
"I gained a lot of confidence going to Bridgeport and they taught me a lot so I learned a lot and tried to apply it to my game," Wotherspoon said.
Wotherspoon also finished his career with 348 penalty minutes, so he's got some edge - which will be welcomed in the AHL - to go with his offensive prowess.
Wotherspoon said the Islanders staff is happy with his development and put in a good showing at camp - including a goal at Thursday's Blue and White Scrimmage.