The Islanders defensive depth was certainly tested last season as Johnny Boychuk and Calvin de Haan both missed long periods of time. The injuries were not limited to the NHL club as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers were without their top defenseman Devon Toews for 36 games. Sebastian Aho, the 2017 5th-round pick, was called up to fill in for the injured defenseman. It left a void to fill in Bridgeport. Enter Mitchell Vande Sompel.
The 2015 3rd-round pick’s first professional season got better as the year went on. He was rewarded with a trip to the AHL All-Star Game, where he would net three goals in the three-game tournament.