BREAKING: Islanders Top Prospect Aatu Räty Makes NHL Debut vs. Panthers

ELMONT, NY– As the New York Islanders continue to battle the injury bug, general manager Lou Lamoriello went back to the prospect pool. This time he swam up with top prospect Aatu Räty.

The 20-year-old Aatu Räty has five goals and seven assists in 23 games with the Bridgeport Islanders this season, but it’s been the overall game that has stood out.

“He’s played really well in Bridgeport. He’s a 200-foot player, plays both sides of the puck, and he’s played in all situations down there. For me, what I’ve seen is his compete level is very, very high. He’s having success, and it’ll translate,” New York Islanders head coach Lane Lambert said. 

With Casey Cizikas out of the lineup and day-to-day with an upper-body injury, Räty centered the fourth line, skating alongside Matt Martin and Hudson Fasching.

Here he is taking his rookie lap, along with Parker Wotherspoon, who at 25 makes his NHL debut as well.

#Isles Aatu Räty & Parker Wotherspoon get their rookie laps: pic.twitter.com/aMzv187rXt

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) December 24, 2022

Before he left the ice, he made sure to make some new friends.

Räty already making friends #Isles pic.twitter.com/p7laYBetAI

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) December 24, 2022

The 2021 second-round pick (52nd) came over to North America last season after he finished up his fourth professional season in Finland. After going pointless in Bridgeport’s two remaining regular season games, he notched one goal and three assists in six Calder Cup playoff games.

He scored the overtime winner to send Bridgeport to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2003.

This story will be updated following the game.