January 13, 2013, New York Islanders notebook for Metro Newspaper in NYC
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CLAUS ANDERSEN/GETTY IMAGES
Strome has 22 goals in just 32 games.
It is not a secret the Islanders have spent the last few years
stockpiling prospects. The organization believes the young talent will
soon form the nucleus of a strong franchise.
Two of those prospects, center Ryan Strome and defenseman Griffin
Reinhart, were invited to training camp and both could find themselves
on the Opening Night roster.
The Islanders selected Strome fifth overall from the OHL’s Niagara
IceDogs in June 2011, while Reinhart was the fourth pick in last June’s
draft.
Neither player can come soon enough for a team that hasn’t advanced past the first round of the playoffs since 1993.
Strome ranks fourth in scoring in the OHL. He has recorded 22 goals and
40 assists in 32 games. Griffin has totaled 14 points with Edmonton of
the WHL.
“We’re talking about two elite junior players making the jump [to the
NHL],” head coach Jack Capuano said. “They’re here, they’re learning.
[It’s a] good [opportunity for the] coaching staff to evaluate them.”
Both Strome and Reinhart were on the Canadian World Junior Hockey Championship team that finished fourth.
“It’s huge [playing in the World Juniors],” said John Tavares, the
Isles’ young star. “[It’s the] highest caliber of hockey [outside of
professional leagues]. [It’s] top quality talent. My experience [was]
they help you mature.”
DiPietro backs Fehr
Count Rick DiPietro among Don Fehr’s near-universal supporters within the NHLPA membership.
“Don did a great job. He’s amazing. One of the smartest men I’ve been
around. He kept us together, kept us informed,” DiPietro said.
Throughout the course of the negotiations, Fehr welcomed all players to
participate in the talks. DiPietro was among many who took the NHLPA
executive director up on his offer.
“At the table, vocally banging out ideas to make this work [let] Gary
[Bettman] and owners know how [the players] feel. I think they
appreciated the insight. That was one of the things that was so
impressive. I feel privileged to be a part of it,” DiPietro said.
One aspect of the new CBA which was important to the players was the creation of a pension plan. The league and the union agreed to a defined benefit pension plan.
“[We’re] talking about a profession where guys’ [average career is
three-to-five years]. Put in place money for [players] to fall back on.
We want to give back,” DiPietro said. “[This] made us stronger.”
Follow NHL writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.
Follow NHL writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.
http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/article/1159776--islanders-notebook-team-looks-to-future-with-strome-reinhart
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 3:02 PM
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