Being drafted by a NHL team is a special accomplishment that is the result of years of hard work, sacrifice and an unbridled determination by both the player and his family. The same can be said of the latest first round pick of the New York Islanders; Manitoba native Ryan Pulock. On June 30th Islanders General Manager Garth Snow selected Ryan 15th overall and now the young teenager has gone from draft hopeful to blue chip prospect.
Ryan has spent his whole life working to get to the moment where he would hear his name called by a NHL team. I recently had the chance to ask Pulock to try and explain what this experience was like for him. “It was for sure a bit of a blur but it was a moment I will remember the rest of my life, hearing my name, walking up on stage and putting on that jersey is something very special.”

It was not only special for Ryan but also his entire family including his dad who has been a lifelong Islander fan. It was a happy coincidence that made draft day even more special for the Pulock family. Ryan was nice enough to share this picture of him as a kid and you can clearly see that his dad had him dressed correctly even as a child. “My dad has been an islander fan all his life so obviously me getting drafted was very special for him but for it to be the islanders made it that much better.”


The 6’1” offensive defenseman had little time to rest on his accomplishment as days later Ryan and dozens of other Islander prospects met in Long Island for Islander Rookie camp. The camp is a chance for prospects to shine in front of the Islander coaching staff. It’s also gives prospects a chance to see how they fair against a much higher level of hockey. Pulock had a positive impression of his first rookie camp. “Rookie camp was a great experience, I enjoyed meeting more people from the organization and other prospects and just getting a feel for the level of hockey, I think overall it was a great experience.”

Ryan's resume to this point is gaudy. He was rated by NHL Central Scouting as the 12th best player in his draft class and boasts the hardest recorded shot of his peers at a whopping 100 miles per hour. He was also regarded by many scouts as the defenseman with the highest offensive potential in the entire draft. Despite this impressive resume, Pulock knows that he is not a finished product and has to continue to round out his game. “Well I am two way defensemen with alot of offensive upside, I like to be engaged offensively. I can also run a power play and I also have a pretty good shot.” Ryan was extremely modest about his shot; it’s a laser. Pulock also understands what the Islanders want from him when NHL training camps open in September. “Well there expectations are for me to keep working on my game and improving so that I can be ready to take the next step.”

If Ryan does not make the Islanders out of training camp he will return to his junior team in the Western Hockey League; the Brandon Wheat Kings. Expect to see Pulock pushing for a spot with the Islanders in the near future. As the Islanders continue to grow as a competitive team they will be counting on Ryan Pulock to be a major contributor.

For more on Ryan and his career follow him on twitter @rpulock2. Photos courtesy of Ryan Pulock, Newsday and the Associated Press. I appreciate any and all feedback and for more on all things hockey follow me on twitter @DanDanNoodles78.

Good job Dan...

Being drafted by a NHL team is a special accomplishment that is the result of years of hard work, sacrifice and an unbridled determination by both the player and his family. The same can be said of the latest first round pick of the New York Islanders; Manitoba native Ryan Pulock. On June 30th Islanders General Manager Garth Snow selected Ryan 15th overall and now the young teenager has gone from draft hopeful to blue chip prospect.
Ryan has spent his whole life working to get to the moment where he would hear his name called by a NHL team. I recently had the chance to ask Pulock to try and explain what this experience was like for him. “It was for sure a bit of a blur but it was a moment I will remember the rest of my life, hearing my name, walking up on stage and putting on that jersey is something very special.”

It was not only special for Ryan but also his entire family including his dad who has been a lifelong Islander fan. It was a happy coincidence that made draft day even more special for the Pulock family. Ryan was nice enough to share this picture of him as a kid and you can clearly see that his dad had him dressed correctly even as a child. “My dad has been an islander fan all his life so obviously me getting drafted was very special for him but for it to be the islanders made it that much better.”


The 6’1” offensive defenseman had little time to rest on his accomplishment as days later Ryan and dozens of other Islander prospects met in Long Island for Islander Rookie camp. The camp is a chance for prospects to shine in front of the Islander coaching staff. It’s also gives prospects a chance to see how they fair against a much higher level of hockey. Pulock had a positive impression of his first rookie camp. “Rookie camp was a great experience, I enjoyed meeting more people from the organization and other prospects and just getting a feel for the level of hockey, I think overall it was a great experience.”

Ryan's resume to this point is gaudy. He was rated by NHL Central Scouting as the 12th best player in his draft class and boasts the hardest recorded shot of his peers at a whopping 100 miles per hour. He was also regarded by many scouts as the defenseman with the highest offensive potential in the entire draft. Despite this impressive resume, Pulock knows that he is not a finished product and has to continue to round out his game. “Well I am two way defensemen with alot of offensive upside, I like to be engaged offensively. I can also run a power play and I also have a pretty good shot.” Ryan was extremely modest about his shot; it’s a laser. Pulock also understands what the Islanders want from him when NHL training camps open in September. “Well there expectations are for me to keep working on my game and improving so that I can be ready to take the next step.”

If Ryan does not make the Islanders out of training camp he will return to his junior team in the Western Hockey League; the Brandon Wheat Kings. Expect to see Pulock pushing for a spot with the Islanders in the near future. As the Islanders continue to grow as a competitive team they will be counting on Ryan Pulock to be a major contributor.

For more on Ryan and his career follow him on twitter @rpulock2. Photos courtesy of Ryan Pulock, Newsday and the Associated Press. I appreciate any and all feedback and for more on all things hockey follow me on twitter @DanDanNoodles78.
- NYI78

Nice job. Look at that, there are things to write about! Awesome that his pops is an Islander fan, love that pic. Any word on Reinhardt and how he's looking going into camp? I've heard he had a decent season but not much more...

Great job! But I didn't see what pizzaria Marty Reasoner would be sigining menu's at

Xxkeaner17xX

Nice job. Look at that, there are things to write about! Awesome that his pops is an Islander fan, love that pic. Any word on Reinhardt and how he's looking going into camp? I've heard he had a decent season but not much more...
- Cptmjl

just from what I saw I thought Griff looked good and played well with Pulock in the scrimmage but I think they will both be back in juniors. you look at pedan and Mayfield and after two years in juniors and college and a time at bport they look so much more polished.

just from what I saw I thought Griff looked good and played well with Pulock in the scrimmage but I think they will both be back in juniors. you look at pedan and Mayfield and after two years in juniors and college and a time at bport they look so much more polished.
- NYI78

So I'm guessing the most legit shot to make the roster would be Donovan with a maybe for DeHaan from what you've seen at the bridge? Do Pedan or Mayfield have a realisitic shot? What's your opinion on Sundstrom and do you think he'll be a real option for the NHL some day? Figured I'd hit you with questions while you're here!

Absolute joke that this guy is not our blogger Great blog yet again

Absolute joke that this guy is not our blogger Great blog yet again
- Vukota

IDK? I'm really looking fwd to Dee's next blog. Too see how bad it is as compared to this one of course...

So I'm guessing the most legit shot to make the roster would be Donovan with a maybe for DeHaan from what you've seen at the bridge? Do Pedan or Mayfield have a realisitic shot? What's your opinion on Sundstrom and do you think he'll be a real option for the NHL some day? Figured I'd hit you with questions while you're here!
- Cptmjl

Donovan and de haan are the closest.. pedan and Mayfield are right behind then,,i would think you MIGHT be able to think about Mayfield and pedan post all star break..i think they need some time but both show promise

Donovan and de haan are the closest.. pedan and Mayfield are right behind then,,i would think you MIGHT be able to think about Mayfield and pedan post all star break..i think they need some time but both show promise
- NYI78

Be nice to have that physical element on our blue line again. That coupled with the physical depth we now have up front with the addition of Clutterbuck would be awesome. Not a team to be facked with.

Donovan and de haan are the closest.. pedan and Mayfield are right behind then,,i would think you MIGHT be able to think about Mayfield and pedan post all star break..i think they need some time but both show promise
- NYI78

Do you think Snow should go after Cody Fransen? Seems to be a good fit...

Do you think Snow should go after Cody Fransen? Seems to be a good fit...
- kear20

depends what the price is...and its probably high...

depends what the price is...and its probably high...
- NYI78

2nd rd pick and a mid level prospect is what the Leafs are looking for..

The Isles "D" in 3-4 years is going to be sick. The "D" is going to be so deep their bottom pair guys will likely be good enough to be top pair or top fours on most other teams. Look at the future:

Hamonic, Pedan, Pulock, Reinhart, Mayfield, Donovan, de Haan, Pokka. At least six of those guys are going to pan out, and that's not even counting guys like Hickey, A-Mac and Strait who are young. The "D" is going to be a major point of strength in about 3 years or so.

Do you think Snow should go after Cody Fransen? Seems to be a good fit...
- kear20

I think Snow should worry about the long-term goaltending situation over the "D". Things are shaping up on "D" very nicely. If they are patient (I know, I hate that word too, especially after all the "patience" we've been expected to show over the past five years) the Isles could have a home-grown "D" that would be very formidable. They have prospects with size, prospects with offensive flair, prospects who hit hard, the works. its just a matter of letting these d-men develop properly.

I think Snow should worry about the long-term goaltending situation over the "D". Things are shaping up on "D" very nicely. If they are patient (I know, I hate that word too, especially after all the "patience" we've been expected to show over the past five years) the Isles could have a home-grown "D" that would be very formidable. They have prospects with size, prospects with offensive flair, prospects who hit hard, the works. its just a matter of letting these d-men develop properly.
- Jethro09

To be fair it looks like it's finally starting to pay off. I think Milbury did a lot more damage to this team than anyone realized. In one of Garth's first interviews as GM he said he would focus on restocking the farm system. I think he's done that.

To be fair it looks like it's finally starting to pay off. I think Milbury did a lot more damage to this team than anyone realized. In one of Garth's first interviews as GM he said he would focus on restocking the farm system. I think he's done that.
- JimmyP

Who didn't realize?

The Isles "D" in 3-4 years is going to be sick. The "D" is going to be so deep their bottom pair guys will likely be good enough to be top pair or top fours on most other teams. Look at the future:

Hamonic, Pedan, Pulock, Reinhart, Mayfield, Donovan, de Haan, Pokka. At least six of those guys are going to pan out, and that's not even counting guys like Hickey, A-Mac and Strait who are young. The "D" is going to be a major point of strength in about 3 years or so.
- Jethro09

I don't know if those are odds I'd take?

depends what the price is...and its probably high...
- NYI78

I think if you just wait a year or even a half..one of pedan or Mayfield may be ready and you have your solution from within...however I would have no problem acquiring cody for the right price...

I don't know if those are odds I'd take?
- Cptmjl

honestly of the d men they draft if 3-4 pan out that's great andiof 3 of them are really good ahl players that could add depth when needed they are fine. I do think Amac and Hickey are placeholders until the kids are ready

So I'm guessing the most legit shot to make the roster would be Donovan with a maybe for DeHaan from what you've seen at the bridge? Do Pedan or Mayfield have a realisitic shot? What's your opinion on Sundstrom and do you think he'll be a real option for the NHL some day? Figured I'd hit you with questions while you're here!
- Cptmjl

sorry forgot to answer the other part of your question... sundstrom might be the most under rated prospect in the system...he doesn't wow but at the end of the night he has a goal and an assist...he doesn't do anything great but does everything really good.... I think he could be a larger more physical version of frans and I think sundstrom peak is a third line center

I don't know if those are odds I'd take?
- Cptmjl

I'm not saying they're all going to be all-stars, but six of those nine will pan out to be solid NHL d-men? I'll take those odds.

honestly of the d men they draft if 3-4 pan out that's great andiof 3 of them are really good ahl players that could add depth when needed they are fine. I do think Amac and Hickey are placeholders until the kids are ready
- NYI78

I agree. If you have a 50% success rate(making it as legit NHL players) especially with Dmen you're doing a damn good job drafting and Snow deserves all the acolades he could handle. Hoping for a 90% success rate is setting expectations a little too high IMO. Of course, if it did happen I wouldn't be too upset

I'm not saying they're all going to be all-stars, but six of those nine will pan out to be solid NHL d-men? I'll take those odds.
- Jethro09

Not to split hairs but it was 6 out of 8 and i wouldn't. If 6 of those 8 were even servicable NHL Dman let alone solid it'd be a shock to me. We would have to have quite a bit of luck with that one. Hamonic is already a legit NHL Dman so it's actually 6 out of 7! 90%

I think Snow should worry about the long-term goaltending situation over the "D". Things are shaping up on "D" very nicely. If they are patient (I know, I hate that word too, especially after all the "patience" we've been expected to show over the past five years) the Isles could have a home-grown "D" that would be very formidable. They have prospects with size, prospects with offensive flair, prospects who hit hard, the works. its just a matter of letting these d-men develop properly.
- Jethro09

agreed. I wonder how sold he is on Nilsson or Poulin?