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Get To Know Islanders Calle Odelius & Quinn Finley

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New York Islanders, NHL Draft, Calle Odelius, Quinn Finley
New York Islanders second round draft picks Calle Odelius [left] & Quinn Finley [right].

MONTREAL, QC— The New York Islanders, who traded their first-round selection for Montreal Canadiens Alexander Romanov, kept their second-round pick and third-round pick, drafting defenseman Calle Odelius at no. 65 and left-winger Quinn Finley at no. 78.

Calle Odelius, D

Calle Odelius, 18, is a left-handed defenseman who stands at 6’0 weighing 185 lbs, out of the SHL. In 43 games in the J20 Nationell league with Djurgårdens IF, the Swedish native notched seven goals with 23 assists. In six playoff game, Odelius had two assists. 

In 17 games representing Sweden’s national team, Odelius recorded nine assists.

Per draft guru Marco D’Amico, Calle Odelius is a strong skater. He’s not a physical player, but he has very strong hockey IQ.

“I’m so happy that I ended up an Islander,” Odelius said. “And yeah, I know, I know some things about Islanders like Long Island…like Noah Dobson, Mathew Barzal, so, yeah.”

When asked if he had been to New York, he said he had but it was a short stay.

“Yeah, I’ve been in New York like for four or five hours. So not so long.”

Regarding his own game, Odelius believes is a good skating two-way defenseman, with offensive upside as well a strong passer.

As for his future plan, he will be playing in HockeyAllsvenskan, the second-highest league in Sweden for Djurgårdens IF before deciding on what’s next. He will talk to the Islanders and see what they think.

“It’s a dream come true, ” Odelius said. “And this is what you play playing for your whole life to get drafted. So yeah, to finally hear my name, it was incredible.”

Quinn Finley, LW

Quinn Finley, 17 years old, is a left-winger standing at 6’0, weight 170 lbs. The lefty notched 12 goals and 17 assists in 29 games for the Madison Capitols of the USHL.

The Wisconsin native will be heading back to Madison for his senior season and then will be attending the University of Wisconsin as a true freshman for the 2024-25 season.

Finley grew up watching New York Islanders captain Anders Lee and got a moment he will never forget after being selected.

Finely spoke with the New York Islanders at the 2022 NHL Combine. He shared that he had a couple of meetings with them and interviewed with them.

As for his strengths, “I just think like my high IQ, playmaking ability, I think just creating those scoring opportunities for myself and for my teammates,” Finley said.

When asked who Finley models his game after, he picked two high-level NHLers.

“I try to model my game after Kyle Connor and Jonathan Huberdeau,” Finley said.  “I mean, they are super playmakers so I think trying to model my game after those guys you know.”

He has never been to Long Island before and doesn’t know anyone personally in the organization.

As for his decision to attend the University of Wisconsin, he spoke about their head coach Tony Granato, who played 13 years in the NHL with New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks and head coached the Colorado Avalanche for three seasons (2002-04, 2008-09).

“I mean, just Tony Granato. “I mean, he’s a great coach. I mean, he’s played and coached in the NHL, and I think he truly can turn me into a professional player.”

Finley elaborated on what he meant by turning him into a pro.

“I think just getting stronger. I mean being in the weight room, I think also like playing college hockey, it sets you up for the NHL. So I think just learning from him and learning all the things that he can teach me to get ready for the NHL.”

As one can expect, it was a proud day for Finley and his family.

“I’m super proud. I mean, I can’t wait to hopefully someday be a New York Islander.”

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