Red, White, Blue and Orange

EAST MEADOW - The New York Islanders were feeling a little patriotic at the NHL Draft in Dallas last week.
The Islanders selected three players: Oliver Wahlstrom (R1 P11), Bode Wilde (R2 P41) and Jake Pivonka (R4 P103) directly from the USA Hockey's National Team Development Program's U-18 squad. Another two, fifth-round pick Blade Jenkins and seventh-round pick Christian Krygier, spent time in the NTDP with the U-17 team in 2016-17.

"It's pretty cool and says a lot about the NTDP and the development they have there," said Kieffer Bellows, the Isles 2016 first-round pick and NTDP alum. "I know I loved my time there and I know these guys loved their time there and it was fun watching the draft and seeing a lot of USA guys drafted to the Isles. It's always nice to see a familiar face and obviously you go there and look at them, they're ready for their next level."
The NTDP has produced some top-flight NHLers in recent years, including Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Phil Kessel and Buffalo Sabres forward Jack Eichel. This year,
NTDP alumni accounted for 16 draft picks in Dallas
and the Islanders seemingly got good value with the Americans they picked.

Wahlstrom, who led the team in goals (40), assists (43) and points (83) was a projected top-10 pick who fell to 11th. Wilde, who led USNTDP defensemen with 36 points (11G, 25A), was a top-20 ranked North American skater that the Isles took in the second round.
Both players said that coming into camp with a few teammates has helped what can be an overwhelming experience of attending an NHL camp for the first time.
"It's pretty cool to have a couple of teammates here," Wahlstrom said. "It's fun knowing a couple of guys here and some kids I played with for two years. We compete with each other and it's going to be fun."

Wilde, who Bridgeport Sound Tigers Head Coach Brent Thompson highlighted as one of the top players on the first day of camp, was surprised at how many players he knew when he walked into the locker room. He's happy to have a few familiar faces on the new journey.
"This year there's only two draft picks I didn't really know very well coming here," Wilde said. "That was [Ruslan] Iskhakov, the Russian and [goalie Jakub Skarek]. I went to school and played against and with Krygier for years, played with Blade and against him for years. [I've played with] Pivonka and Wahlstrom obviously and [Noah] Dobson too at some camps back in the day, so it's cool to know a few of these guys."
For the incoming NTDP draftees, Bellows is a bit of an idol after scoring 50 goals in 62 games with U-18 team in 2015-16. He's also another familiar face in the room.
"I had watched him play for years, but first time meeting him was here, he's a great guy and I wouldn't expect anything less," Wilde said of Bellows.

PHOTOS: ISLANDERS MINI CAMP

Wahlstrom and Bellows have crossed paths before at Team USA's World Juniors development camp last summer. Bellows looked out for Wahlstrom, who was on the younger side of camp invitees, and seemed like a natural mentor for Wahlstrom given the similarities in their stats, position and overall game.
"He took me in at World Juniors and I couldn't thank him enough for that," Wahlstrom said of Bellows on draft night. "He brought me out with the guys and he's an awesome guy. We like joking around with each other so I can't wait [to see him at camp]."
After two days at camp, the friendship and familiarity has helped the transition and added to the first pro experience for the NTDP players.
"It makes it easy to talk to those guys and easier to get to know the rest of the guys too when you feel more comfortable," Wilde said. "Ultimately it's been really good."