 |
| #41 of the Islanders, David Ullstrom (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) |
Next up on the top 20 list is a youngster who has gotten his chance to play with the Islanders just four years after he was drafted. He has proven to be a capable left winger, and looks to have a lot of promise in his career. The number fourteen player on the Island is left winger, David Ullstrom.
Ullstrom was drafted, as an 18 year old kid, by the Islanders in the fourth round (102nd overall), in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Before being drafted, Ullstrom was playing in the Swedish Elite League for a team called HV71, based in Jonkoping. In seventy-three games played there, Ullstrom compiled six goals and fourteen assists, for twenty points.
In 2010 Ullstrom made the transition, and came to the United States to play for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. In his year and a half there (a total of ninety-nine games), Ullstrom had thirty-six goals and twenty-eight assists, for sixty-four points.
On November 20th, Ullstrom's dream came true, as he was recalled from Bridgeport and put on the Islanders roster. Ullstrom has not disappointed anyone to this point. He has played hard, and is becoming on of the Isles young up-and-coming players. However, he did hit a bump in the road when on December 20th, against Winnipeg, Ullstrom hit the back of his head on a players elbow, and went on injured reserve with a concussion. He returned to the Islanders on February 26th, and has been on the ice ever since.
So far this year, in twenty-five games, Ullstrom has two goals and four assists, for six points.
Though Islander fans want stars who want pucks in the net, and they have a right to, they should not overlook what Ullstrom has provided. He can very well grow on the Island and become a solid scorer, as teammate, center Frans Nielsen, is showing this year. I think with patience, Ullstrom has the chance to become a household name in Islanders fan's homes.
No comments:
Post a Comment