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Barry Trotz chooses defenseman Johnny Boychuk over Noah Dobson for Islanders' opener

Johnny Boychuk #55 skates during Islanders training camp at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. Photo Credit: James Escher

They traveled from Prince Edward Island to see the Islanders’ regular-season opener against the Capitals on Friday night at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum. But Noah Dobson’s parents will have to wait to see their son’s NHL debut.

The 19-year-old defenseman, selected 12th overall in 2018, was a healthy scratch in favor of Johnny Boychuk. Coach Barry Trotz said the decision was partly based on the Islanders’ opponent and partly because Dobson is still feeling the effects of unspecified soreness that cut short his practice on Tuesday.