Bridgeport Islanders
Takeaways From Day One of Development Camp

The New York Islanders held their first day of development camp this morning. So far, the first group has already finished and gone through their media availabilities, while the second group is just taking the ice.
Here are the groups:
Group One:
F: Calum Ritchie, Victor Eklund, Alex Jeffries, Daylan Kuefler, Luca Romano, Max Dorrington, Ross Mitton, Daniil Prokhorov, Quinn Finley, Cameron Berg
D: Calle Odelius, Marshall Warren, Brandon Chabrier, Jesse Pulkkinen, Kashawn Aitcheson, Zach Schultz
G: Tristan Lennox, Burke Hood
Group Two:
F: Kamil Bednark, Cole Eiserman, Jacob Kvasnicka, Joey Larson, Matthew Maggio, Danny Nelson, Jesse Nurmi, Tomas Poletin, Cam Thiesing, Gleb Veremyev
D: Jonathan Brown, Isaiah George, Dennis Good Bogg, Sam Laurila, Tomas Machu, Matthew Schaefer, Xavier Veileux
G: Marcus Gidlof*, Reid Dyck, Danick Leroux
*Gidlof absent
Group One Notes & Takeaways:
The biggest and most important takeaway from group one is how night-and-day the difference between Calum Ritchie and everyone else is. Yes, some are faster or bigger. None are the complete package yet, all except Ritchie.
Reminiscent of Maxim Tsyplakov at rookie camp last year, it’s very clear Ritchie will be on the NHL Roster to start the year, barring a huge shock.
Beyond him, I thought Victor Eklund was the best pure skater on the ice, followed very closely by Luca Romano. Both looked like elite skaters. I asked Romano afterward if he had any specific skating regimen, and he said with a smile, “No, it’s all natural.”
Elsewhere, Daniil Prokhorov lives up to the billing. He’s really big, guys. Moreover, he still has some serious room to fill out. I’m talking another 20 lbs, maybe.
Ross Mitton had a good skate. So, too, did Bridgeport returnees Jesse Pulkkinen and Calle Odelius. I thought Pulkkinen, in particular, looked like he added some muscle. Odelius looked 10x as confident as he did at any point last year, something he told me was the case after the session.
All three of those returnees met new Bridgeport HC Rocky Thompson for the first time today and had a strong first impression.
“Last year, the injury from the year prior didn’t help. I feel much, much better right now.”
Kashawn Aitcheson looked solid, too. Nothing overly specific-he’s not going to throw any massive hits during the skating drills. Did take a couple of nice, hard shots.
Group Two Lives Notes & Takeaways:
Matthew Schaefer is the best pure skater in the organization. He came out here, and his strides are truly unbelievable. Here’s his first steps at Northwell:
https://x.com/rustymac26/status/1939700016618020869
Gleb Veremyev looks good. Like, he could be on the NHL roster, good. I can easily see him on the fourth line at some point this season.
Andrew Gross described it perfectly, standing next to me. Cole Eiserman‘s shot just SOUNDS different. Not only is it an NHL-shot, it’s an NHL-shot that scores on any goalie in the league. He looks big and NHL-sized, too. Very, very impressive showcase for him so far.
Kamil Bednarik looks shifty out there. He’s got clear talent. Still a couple of years away, but I see an elite shutdown 3C in Bednarik.
I’ve also liked what I’ve seen from Jesse Nurmi and Danny Nelson. Nurmi, in particular, looks quick out there.
Xavier Veilleux walks the blue line well. Real shiftiness to his first step. He’s headed to Cornell for the 2025-26 season.