The Islanders, who gave up an NHL-high 293 goals last season, need to improve their defense. Mitchell Vande Sompel, who knows he must work on his play without the puck, wants to be part of that upgrade.
The 21-year-old defenseman, a third-round pick in 2015, completed his first season of pro hockey with seven goals and 22 assists in 58 games for Bridgeport (AHL) in 2017-18, missing time in February with a right shoulder injury but being named to the league’s All-Star game.
“The first year of pro, it’s a different caliber of hockey,” said the 5-10, 192-pound Vande Sompel, who played junior hockey for Oshawa (OHL).