My Draft Day: Noah Dobson

Ask anyone how it felt to be at the 2018 NHL Draft in Dallas and there's a good chance they'll say hot.

Dallas was a scorching 100 degrees on draft day, giving everyone entering American Airlines Center a fine glisten on the way in.

As hot as it was outside, Noah Dobson played it cool. Sure, there were the nerves and uncertainty that accompany any prospect who packs clothes and gear for a week without knowing their final destination, but Dobson was just grateful to be in that position.

"The best advice I got from people is no matter what happens is to try and enjoy it because it only happens once," Dobson said. "It's definitely a special moment and the first step of your NHL career."

Dobson was projected to be a top pick heading into the draft, initially ranked as the fifth North American skater by the NHL's Central Scouting. He was coming into the draft on the heels of a point-per-game season (69 points in 67 games) as a defenseman with Acadie-Bathurst and his first of two Memorial Cups.

That success added a wrinkle into Dobson's pre-draft process, as the young defenseman wound up missing the early part of the NHL combine. The result was a condensed interview period and he thinks he only met with teams picking in the top 10 of the draft. The Islanders held picks 11 and 12.

"I don't think I even met with the Islanders at the combine because I came in so late," Dobson said. "I obviously met with the Islanders throughout the year, playing in junior, but at the combine I didn't. They weren't really on my radar at all, but obviously I was really happy when my name was called."

What happened after Dobson was taken with the 12th overall pick was a little bit of a blur. Dobson got his moment on the stage and was then whisked around the various photo, autograph and media stations before joining his family in a suite at the arena.

"It happens and you kind of black out," Dobson said of the draft process. "I remember when they handed me the hat it was way too big for me and so kind of looks like it's fully on my head. In the moment I didn't even bother trying to adjust it. That was one thing I do remember and it was funny looking back on it."

Dobson remembers getting a handful of calls and texts from the current Islanders welcoming him to the organization. He got texts from Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee among others, a gesture that goes a long way for an 18-year-old.

"You feel really good hearing from those guys, especially at that age when you haven't even been to one training camp," Dobson said. "They're reaching out and makes you feel welcome for sure."

No telling of Dobson's draft day is complete without Oliver Wahlstrom, who was taken 11th overall and reminds Dobson of that fact often. Their families shared a suite at American Airlines Center, so they spent a healthy portion of the draft on parallel tracks after only meeting in passing at development camps and international tournaments.

Being taken with consecutive picks has inextricably linked Dobson and Wahlstrom, who were, at one time, the two youngest players on a veteran Islanders team. They show up in each other's Instagram stories and give the team some Gen Z flavor. When the Islanders showed up at a New York Jets game in September 2021, Dobson and Wahlstrom were the only two players rocking bucket hats.

"We really got close over the especially the last year or so," Dobson said. "It's not like you're forced to, but it's great when you have that connection where you're drafted at the same draft right after one another. Wally's great, he's a funny guy. We love it, we get along well we live like right across from each other back on the Island, so we spend a lot of time with each other throughout the year. I'm happy to have him as a teammate and a friend now."

Dobson was drafted just over four years ago and he remarked how fast that time has passed. A lot has happened over that span, between the COVID-19 pandemic, two Islanders runs to the third round of the playoffs and Dobson's development from 19-year-old fly on the wall to breaking the 50-point plateau as a key offensive piece this past season.

As much as things change and evolve, whenever draft season rolls around, Dobson thinks back on his experience, from the heat, to the hat, to the exciting feeling of hearing his name called, he wouldn't change a thing.

"I'm sure there's a few photos in there that weren't my best work, but I think it's also a blur like after your drafted," Dobson said. "You're kind of in your own world and you're buzzing from the moment. It was a great experience and it's fun looking back around draft time at old photos. It's been four years, so the time has flown by, but it's been a good ride so far."