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Over the summer, New York Islanders fans were treated to two of the organization's best forward prospects participating in the rescheduled World Juniors tournament. William Dufour and Aatu Raty didn’t disappoint, each managing point-per-game numbers in the tournament, then meeting in the Gold Medal game.
While there may not be quite as much hype around Islanders prospects at this Winter’s tournament, the organization still has two players to watch at the event.
ALEKSI MALINEN - FINLAND
Malinen was selected by the Islanders in the sixth round of the 2021 NHL Draft, but was actually New York’s first defenseman taken that year. This is Malinen’s first time representing Finland, and his final year of eligibility for the tournament, with the defender having played his first game today in an upset loss to Switzerland.
The left-handed defenseman has been spending the year playing in Finland’s top professional league. While his offensive production hasn’t necessarily translated from playing U20 hockey last year (17 points in 33 games) to professional hockey this season (two points in 25 games), it’s still a good sign to be playing professionally in a strong league at 19 years old. He’s paired with Otto Salin (fifth-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings) for Finland.
CALLE ODELIUS - SWEDEN
Of the two, Odelius likely carries the most hype. The left-handed defenseman was New York’s top pick in this year’s draft, being selected 65th overall.
Like Malinen, Odelius also played his first game of the tournament today (Sweden is currently picking apart Austria). Odelius has been spending the year in Sweden’s second-highest professional league, where he’s managed five assists in 26 games. He also already signed his entry-level contract with the Islanders this summer. At just 18 years old, this is his first World Juniors, but he’ll still have another year of eligibility remaining as well. He’s paired with Axel Sandin Pellikka for Sweden, who’s regarded as a likely first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
It’s always interesting to think about a long-term outlook for New York’s defensive prospects. With Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock locked up until around the end of the decade and Alexander Romanov and Noah Dobson looked at as long-term fits on the blue line, New York’s top-four group could be solidified for the foreseeable future. That said, defensive prospects progressing in their development give the Islanders options, so it’ll be fun to watch the two defenders at the tournament.
OTHER ARTICLES FROM DECEMBER
Islanders’ four-game winning streak snapped in rematch against Flyers
Islanders fire 49 shots on goal but fall short against Predators
Islanders score three in second period, earn shutout win over Blackhawks
Islanders’ comeback falls short in 7-4 loss to Blues
Islanders hold off Devils for 6-4 win
Islanders shut out by Hurricanes in second half of back-to-back
Islanders' struggles continue after dropping first two games of road trip
Simon Holmstrom scores first NHL goal, Islanders earn key win in Vegas
Islanders come up short against Avalanche, fall 1-0 in shootout
Islanders rebound to split back-to-back set, Aatu Raty scores in debut 
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