Vladimir Dravecky Makes Islanders Introduction at Rookie Camp

Vladimir Dravecky was situated in Slovakia when the New York Islanders drafted him back in June.

The distance prevented the defenseman from attending the team’s Development Camp immediately after, so Friday’s Rookie Camp marked his first day sporting orange and blue.

"It's huge because that's a dream come true," Dravecky said of being selected by the Islanders. "Being drafted by this organization means a lot and I just appreciate it."

The 2026 fifth-round pick (141^st overall) was born in Manchester, N.H., but grew up in Czechia. He’s already played in leagues in Czechia, Slovakia and Sweden, so while his global footprint is big, the hockey world is small, as Dravecky is reunited with one of his best friends in the Isles organization.

"I have one of my best friends here too, Tomas Poletin, so I knew how good the organization is and a couple of Czechs have been here," Dravecky said.

Dravecky and Poletin competed together in the 2026 World Juniors, earning a silver medal with Czechia.

“We're best friends. We're really close,” Dravecky said. “We've been together for so long now, especially in the national team. It's huge, being with my one of the best friends together in the same organization is unreal.”

The 2025-26 season was the first time Dravecky played in North America. In his 18-year-old season, Dravecky had a productive year with the Brantford Bulldogs in the Ontario Hockey League. The 6'0'' 187 lbs. defenseman tallied 28 points (9G, 19A) across 58 games at the OHL level. He’s slated to play for the Guelph Storm next season.

Being with the staff, the names that were there was huge, and it just helped me on my path," Dravecky said

While Dravecky is one of the newest faces at Rookie Camp, he’s a familiar one to Hamilton Hammers Head Coach Jay McKee, who coached Dravecky in Brantford last season.

"Vlad is a very highly skilled offensive-minded defenseman," McKee said. "He's one of the best practice players I've ever coached or even played with. He's intense. He does everything with a purpose, snaps his passes; he's got an active stick. He's a very, very talented player."

McKee has seen Dravecky grow as a player during his time in Brantford.

"With Vlad being a late pick, for me it was one of the steals of the draft," McKee said.

Dravecky has another opportunity to play under and learn from the 14-year NHL veteran during Rookie Camp.

"Last season was great,” Dravecky said. “Jay has 800 games in the NHL, so it's huge when you have a coach that is on your side, and just he can help you all the time"

Rookie Camp featured another familiar face for Dravecky, who reunited with his Bulldogs teammate, defenseman Layne Gallacher.

"Those are two players that I was very proud to be able to coach, and I love their work ethic, their attitudes, they're fantastic human beings and guys that you want a part of the organization," McKee said.

Dravecky started Rookie Camp skating with 2025 first-round pick Kashawn Aitcheson and wants to enjoy the time he has with his fellow prospects and make a good first impression on the Isles brass.

"I just want to have fun, and I'm just super excited to be here around these great players and human beings," Dravecky said. "I just want to have fun here and enjoy as much as I can."