September 11, 2026

While many hockey fans may not realize it, today marked the opening of NHL rookie camps across the league. NHL training camps will begin next week once rookie camps wrap up.

Most teams are expected to play a rookie preseason game on Sunday, September 13, while NHL preseason action officially begins Saturday, September 19. The preseason will run through September 26, with the NHL regular season beginning just three days later on September 29.

For Hamilton Hammers fans, this provides an early opportunity to take a look at some of the players in the New York Islanders organization who could eventually make their way to Hamilton for the upcoming season.

Here is a look at the Islanders’ rookie camp roster and some of the players who could have an impact on the Hamilton Hammers. Sunday September 13rd at 2pm, we will see a game between Isles Prospects vs. Devils Prospects

Forwards

Samuel Beauchemin — C/LW

Samuel Beauchemin is an unsigned 20-year-old forward who spent last season with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. He recorded 50 assists and 66 points in 64 regular-season games, along with two penalty minutes and a +11 rating.

In the playoffs, Beauchemin added nine goals and five assists for 14 points in 17 games, while recording six penalty minutes.

The Beauchemin name should sound familiar to hockey fans. Samuel is the son of former NHL defenseman François Beauchemin.

François spent time with the Quebec Citadelles, Montreal’s AHL affiliate, from 2000-02 before joining the Hamilton Bulldogs during the 2002-03 season. He later spent time in Columbus’ organization before getting his NHL opportunity with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 2005-06.

François would go on to play for Anaheim, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Colorado before finishing his professional career in 2017-18.

Samuel Beauchemin is now looking to establish his own path in professional hockey.

Cameron Berg — LW/C

Cameron Berg, 24, spent the previous portion of his career at the University of North Dakota before joining the Bridgeport Islanders at the end of the 2024-25 season.

He appeared in three games with Bridgeport, recording two goals and two points while posting a -3 rating.

In his first full AHL season last year, Berg recorded seven goals and 13 assists for 20 points in 53 games, along with 30 penalty minutes and a -8 rating. He also spent time with the Worcester Railers of the ECHL, recording three goals and three points in four games.

Berg could be in the mix for an opportunity with Hamilton this season.

Ryan Bottrill — Forward

Ryan Bottrill spent last season at Clarkson University in the NCAA. After his college season ended, he joined the Iowa Wild for five games, recording no points, two penalty minutes and a -2 rating.

Bottrill is expected to play for the Trenton Ironhawks this upcoming season, the ECHL affiliate of the Islanders and Hamilton Hammers.

He is 24 years old.

Cole Eiserman — LW

Cole Eiserman was selected by the Islanders 20th overall in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft.

Eiserman spent his college career at Boston University and also represented Team USA at the U-20 World Junior Championship.

Last season, he recorded 18 goals and 10 assists for 18 points, along with 14 penalty minutes and a -9 rating.

After his college season ended, Eiserman turned professional after spending two seasons at Boston University. He appeared in 12 games with the Bridgeport Islanders, recording two goals and seven assists for nine points.

In two playoff games, he recorded no points and finished with a -2 rating.

This will be Eiserman’s first full season in the professional ranks, and he is expected to play significant minutes for the Hammers if he remains in the Islanders organization.

Victor Eklund — RW

Victor Eklund was selected 16th overall by the Islanders in the 2025 NHL Draft. He was one of the two first-round selections acquired by New York in the Noah Dobson trade.

The 19-year-old spent last season with Djurgårdens IF in Sweden, recording six goals and 18 assists for 24 points in 43 games, along with 22 penalty minutes and a +8 rating.

In the playoffs, Eklund recorded three assists for three points in four games.

He also represented Sweden at the World Junior Championship, recording two goals and six assists for eight points in seven games while posting a +4 rating.

Eklund’s season continued when he joined the Bridgeport Islanders for nine games. He recorded three goals and seven assists for 10 points, along with a +4 rating.

He then received an opportunity with the New York Islanders for their final game of the regular season, recording one assist in one appearance.

Depending on how he performs at training camp, Eklund could either remain with the Islanders or receive top-line minutes in the AHL while becoming one of New York’s first call-up options.

Quinn Finley — LW

The 22-year-old Quinn Finley spent the last three seasons at the University of Wisconsin, where he recorded 47 goals and 42 assists for 89 points in 110 games.

Finley is currently working his way back from shoulder surgery. This will be his first professional season, and he could potentially begin the year as a second- or third-line player in the AHL.

According to Newsday’s Andrew Gross, Finley was still waiting to be cleared for contact and it was unclear whether he would be cleared in time for training camp.

Layne Gallacher — C

Layne Gallacher is an 18-year-old center who began his junior career with the Brantford Bulldogs before being traded to the Guelph Storm.

Last season, he recorded five goals and 13 assists for 18 points in 32 games with Guelph, along with four penalty minutes and a -5 rating.

With Brantford, he recorded five goals and seven assists for 12 points in 32 games while posting a +9 rating.

Gallacher added one assist in four playoff games with Guelph.

He was traded to the Niagara IceDogs during the offseason. The experience he gains at rookie camp could help him take another step forward when he returns to junior hockey.

Kadon McCann — Forward

Kadon McCann is a 19-year-old, 6-foot-3, 207-pound forward who spent last season with the Medicine Hat Tigers.

McCann served as an assistant captain and recorded 21 goals and 22 assists for 43 points in 68 games. He also recorded 88 penalty minutes and a +21 rating.

In 15 playoff games, McCann recorded one goal and three assists for four points, along with 23 penalty minutes and an even rating.

Jesse Nurmi — LW/RW

Jesse Nurmi is a 21-year-old Finnish forward who was selected by the Islanders 113th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft.

After playing in Finland, Nurmi joined the London Knights of the OHL during the 2024-25 season.

He recorded nine goals and 22 assists for 31 points in 30 games, along with 10 penalty minutes and a +10 rating. In the playoffs, he added three goals and five assists for eight points.

Nurmi also spent time with the Worcester Railers last season, recording one goal and one assist for two points in 12 games.

He could potentially compete for a fourth-line role in Hamilton or receive significant top-six minutes with Trenton.

Tomas Poletin — LW

Tomas Poletin is a 19-year-old forward from Czechia who was selected by the Islanders in the fourth round, 106th overall, in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Poletin played his first season of North American hockey with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL, recording 20 goals and 15 assists for 35 points in 68 games.

In nine playoff games, he added two goals and three assists for five points.

Poletin has one more year of junior eligibility in the WHL before turning 20 next spring.

Daniil Prokhorov — RW

Daniil Prokhorov is a 19-year-old Russian forward who stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 218 pounds.

He recorded one goal and one point in 23 games with Dynamo Moskva of the KHL.

With Dynamo St. Petersburg in the VHL, Prokhorov recorded nine goals and nine assists for 18 points in 25 games.

Given his size and experience, he could potentially develop into a bottom-six forward.

Luke Puchner — Forward

Luke Puchner is an 18-year-old American forward who previously played for Shattuck-St. Mary’s.

He will take his talents to the WHL this season with the Seattle Thunderbirds.

After spending a season in Seattle, Puchner is expected to join the University of Minnesota-Duluth for the 2027-28 season.

Luca Romano — C

Luca Romano is a 19-year-old center who was selected by the Islanders in the third round, 74th overall, in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Romano has become an important piece of the Kitchener Rangers. Last season, he recorded 14 goals and 19 assists for 33 points in 55 games, along with 22 penalty minutes and a +9 rating.

In 18 playoff games, he added three goals and five assists for eight points while posting a +4 rating.

Romano also served as an assistant captain last season.

He will turn 20 next June and is expected to return to Kitchener for his fourth season. If he is signed, he could potentially join Hamilton following the completion of his junior career.

Gleb Veremyev — C/LW

The 23-year-old Gleb Veremyev stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 218 pounds.

He split last season between Bridgeport and Worcester.

Veremyev finished his NCAA career at Colorado College before joining Bridgeport, where he recorded one assist and nine penalty minutes in 10 games.

Last season, he recorded three goals and one assist for four points in 22 games with Bridgeport.

With Worcester in the ECHL, he added six goals and 10 assists for 16 points in 36 games.

Veremyev is expected to play in Hamilton this fall.

Imagine having Veremyev and Prokhorov on the same line. Two 6-foot-6 forwards would certainly make for an interesting matchup.

Defensemen

Kawshawn Aitcheson

Kawshawn Aitcheson is a 19-year-old defenseman who is expected to play for the Hamilton Hammers this upcoming season. He turns 20 in September.

Aitcheson served as captain of the Barrie Colts last season and recorded 28 goals and 42 assists for 70 points in 56 games, along with 97 penalty minutes and a +46 rating.

In 19 playoff games, he added eight goals and 19 assists for 27 points while posting a +4 rating.

Aitcheson should be a top-four defenseman for Hamilton this season.

Luke Antonacci

Luke Antonacci is a 23-year-old defenseman who played at the University of Maine and Lake Superior State before joining the Utah Grizzlies last season.

In 15 games with Utah, he recorded two goals and two assists for four points, along with four penalty minutes and a +3 rating.

He is expected to play for the Trenton Ironhawks this upcoming season.

Julian Brown

Julian Brown is a 20-year-old American defenseman who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 229 pounds.

Brown began his junior career with the Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL during the 2024-25 season before joining the London Knights of the OHL last season.

He played 36 games with London before being traded to the Owen Sound Attack, where he recorded three goals and three assists for six points in 24 games.

In four playoff games, Brown recorded one assist and finished with a -7 rating.

Vladimir Dravecky

Vladimir Dravecky is an 18-year-old defenseman who was born in the United States but developed his hockey career in Czechia.

The Islanders selected Dravecky in the fifth round, 141st overall, in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Last season with the Brantford Bulldogs, he recorded nine goals and 19 assists for 28 points in 58 regular-season games while posting a +24 rating.

He added three assists in 11 playoff games.

Dravecky was traded to the Guelph Storm during the offseason and will spend the upcoming season with Guelph.

Isaiah George

The 22-year-old Isaiah George already has two professional seasons under his belt.

As a Hamilton-area player from Oakville, Ontario, his family won’t have to travel far to watch him play if he joins the Hammers.

George previously played his junior hockey with the London Knights and split the 2024-25 season between the New York Islanders and Bridgeport Islanders.

Last season, he spent most of the year with Bridgeport, recording two goals and 16 assists for 18 points in 47 games while posting a +10 rating.

He appeared in two playoff games, recording no points and finishing with a -1 rating.

If George makes the Islanders, he could potentially occupy a third-pairing role. If he joins Hamilton, he could become one of the team’s top-pairing defensemen.

Ryan Healey

Ryan Healey is a 22-year-old defenseman who was originally selected by the Minnesota Wild in the fourth round, 121st overall, in the 2022 NHL Draft.

Healey spent the last four years at Harvard University before being traded from Minnesota’s organization to the Islanders.

This will be his first professional season, and he could potentially begin his career as a bottom-pairing defenseman.

Calle Odelius

Calle Odelius is a 22-year-old defenseman who was selected by the Islanders in the second round, 65th overall, in the 2022 NHL Draft.

This will be the third year of his professional career.

Odelius turned pro during the 2024-25 season, recording one goal and 12 assists for 13 points in 62 games, along with 20 penalty minutes and a -34 rating.

Last season with Bridgeport, he recorded one goal and two assists for three points in 2025-26.

He also spent time with Worcester in the ECHL, where he recorded two goals and six assists for eight points in 36 games.

Odelius could see some ice time in Hamilton this upcoming season. If he does, he could serve as an extra defenseman or occupy a third-pairing role.

Jesse Pulkkinen

The 21-year-old Jesse Pulkkinen is a massive 6-foot-6, 220-pound defenseman who was selected by the Islanders in the second round, 54th overall, in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Pulkkinen spent part of the 2024-25 season with Bridgeport, appearing in 10 games and recording one assist.

In 2025-26, he split his season between Bridgeport and Worcester.

With Bridgeport, he recorded two assists in 36 games. With Worcester, he added nine goals and nine assists for 18 points.

Pulkkinen could potentially begin the season as a bottom-pairing defenseman.

Goalies

Burke Hood

Burke Hood is a 19-year-old goaltender who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 201 pounds.

He was selected by the Islanders in the sixth round, 170th overall, in the 2025 NHL Draft.

During the 2025-26 season with the Vancouver Giants, Hood posted an 18-18-2 record with a 3.83 goals-against average and a .892 save percentage.

He will remain in Vancouver this upcoming season and will be looking to take another step forward.

Joshua Kotai

Joshua Kotai is a 23-year-old undrafted goaltender who was signed by the Islanders.

Last season at Augustana University, Kotai posted a 20-11-4 record with a 1.99 goals-against average, a .938 save percentage and five shutouts in 35 games.

He also appeared in one game with Bridgeport, going 0-0-0 with a 1.39 GAA and a .909 save percentage.

Kotai is expected to be one of the goaltenders suiting up for the Hamilton Hammers this upcoming season.

Aaron Trotter

Aaron Trotter is a 25-year-old goaltender who spent last season at the University of St. Thomas.

He posted a 7-5-1 record with a 2.39 goals-against average, a .910 save percentage and one shutout in 14 games.

Trotter is expected to play for the Trenton Ironhawks this upcoming season.

Key Takeaways From Jay McKee’s Day 1 Comments

Islanders head coach Jay McKee provided some interesting comments following Day 1 of rookie camp, including some notable praise for several players who could eventually impact the Islanders’ system — and potentially the Hamilton Hammers.

Victor Eklund

McKee described Eklund as having “unlimited potential.”

Cole Eiserman

McKee acknowledged the areas Eiserman still needs to improve while also noting that his shot is something “you can’t teach.”

Isaiah George

McKee said, “I’m seeing more than I expected with him.”

Kawshawn Aitcheson

McKee described Aitcheson as “a complete player.”

Vladimir Dravecky

McKee called Dravecky “one of the steals in the draft.”

Final Thoughts

For Hamilton Hammers fans, Islanders rookie camp offers an early glimpse at several players who could become important pieces of the organization.

Some players are already expected to see significant AHL minutes, while others are still several seasons away from potentially making the jump to professional hockey.

With NHL training camps beginning next week and the preseason quickly approaching, there will be plenty of opportunities to see which players make an impression and which prospects could eventually find their way to Hamilton.

The Hammers’ inaugural season is getting closer, and the Islanders’ rookie camp is one of the first opportunities to see some of the young talent that could shape Hamilton’s future.