The New York Islanders’ prospects haven’t made a significant impact recently, but tomorrow presents a chance to see three of the organization’s best compete against each other in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Since 2015, the Friendship Four has been held at the SSE Arena in Belfast—a mid-season tournament where four teams compete for the title, akin to the prestigious Beanpot among Boston’s major colleges.
This season sees Boston University, home to Cole Eiserman and Kamil Bednarik, and Notre Dame University, which features Danny Nelson, reach the final of the Friendship Four.
In the semi-finals, Boston University triumphed over Merrimack College with a score of 6-2, with Bednarik contributing two assists. Notre Dame secured a victory against Harvard in the other semi-final, with Nelson assisting on a power-play goal in their 4-2 win.
Eiserman and Nelson are among the Islanders’ top prospects, having been their highest selections in the previous two drafts. Eiserman leads the Terriers with 13 points and 9 goals in his first 12 games, making him one of the standout freshmen in the country. Meanwhile, Nelson has six goals, tied for the team lead, and adds three assists for Notre Dame.
Given the current performance of the Islanders, watching these three top prospects could provide a glimpse into the team’s future and offer fans some encouragement.
