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EXCLUSIVE: Islanders Prospect Jimmy Lambert on Uncle Lane, First Pro Season

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Photo courtesy of Kyle Prudhomme

Worcester, MA–Jimmy Lambert, nephew of New York Islanders head coach Lane Lambert, is in his first professional season with the Islanders ECHL affiliate, the Worcester Railers, after a four-year stint at the University of Michigan. He was undrafted and signed an Amateur Tryout Agreement (ATO) before signing his first AHL contract.

This season Jimmy Lambert has played 19 games with the Worcester Railers of the ECHL and three games for the Bridgeport Islanders during his first professional season.

Our Joshua Linsenberg caught up with Lambert this past weekend for an exclusive interview for NYI Hockey Now:

Uncle Lane Always Checking In

“He’s always given me help. He continuously checked in on me when I was in college and wanted to know how I was doing and whether things were going good or bad. He always has some sort of advice for me,” Lambert told NYI Hockey Now.

“So it’s been a great relationship, and it’s always a good asset to have somebody like that, who has a lot of hockey knowledge and has been at the highest level for a long time.

“So it’s really nice to have that in the family.”

Lambert’s Reflection From Bridgeport Stint

In 19 games in the ECHL this season, Lambert has recorded eight goals and seven assists for 15 points. Lambert has had the opportunity to play for the Bridgeport Islanders this season, making his AHL debut on Dec. 3, where he recorded his first AHL assist.

He played three games for Bridgeport before being sent back to Worcester.

“It was a great experience. I thought I had a good couple of games. One, not so much. But it’s my first handful of games in the league, and I thought it was a pretty good start, so I’m looking forward to playing a lot more there [in Bridgeport],” Lambert shared with NYI Hockey Now.

In his short stint with Bridgeport earlier this month, there was one thing that stood out to Lambert about Bridgeport Islanders head coach Brent Thompson.

“One of my favorite things about him is how transparent he is with me, letting me know the things that I need to improve on,” Lambert said. “He’s been a great help to me so far, and he always gives me great feedback. And, you know, he wants me to be there. And when the time comes, I will be.”

Lambert Looking up to a Current Islander

While the nephew of the current Islanders bench boss doesn’t like to compare himself to other players and develop his own style, Lambert shared he looks up to current New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson.

“I think the 200-foot game of somebody like Brock Nelson is really something that I look up to, so just every day trying to be more and more like him,” Lambert said. “I had the chance to play on a line with him at camp, and I learned a lot from him and just trying to be a sponge soaking everything in that he had to say to me.”

Lambert’s Daily Goal

Now that Lambert has a taste of working with NHL talent, he is committed to making an impact in the Islander’s farm system just like he did at Michigan as an alternate captain.

“I want to have a positive impact every time I step on the ice. I know that’s what’s going to get me to the next level, whether I’m here or there,” Lambert said. “Ultimately, everybody wants to play in the NHL. So if I’m in the AHL, I want to have a positive impact, and I want to have success.”

“So just immediately, having that impact is important no matter where I am.”

The six-foot-forward believes he can do anything he puts his mind to. “I believe I am very capable of getting an NHL contract,” Lambert said.

Next up: The Worcester Railers are back in action on Wednesday night at the Trois-Rivères Lions, with puck drop set for 7 PM ET.

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