The first pick of the New York Islanders this year, No. 11 overall forward Oliver Wahlstrom, was one of the best players in the U.S. National Team Development Program. American with Swedish roots from Yarmouth will start playing for Boston College this fall, and in his last season with the U.S. National U18 Team he was the leading scorer with 94 points (48+46) in 62 games. Also Wahlstrom became a World Champion with the US team at the U18 Junior World Championship in 2017.
NHL.com’s writer Mike Morreale said about Oliver before the draft:
“Wahlstrom already has an NHL-caliber shot with a quick release and the ability to create space for himself and linemates. He's most known for his goal-scoring ability and elite shot, and can hit a one-timer as good or better than many professional players.”
He has one of the best shot skills in this draft and seems to be a future NHL star. Wahlstrom is a talented goal-scorer, for sure, but he had a nice hands already when he was a 9-years-old boy. Many of us saw the following viral video:
And this one:
Oliver made a nice tricks with the puck in Mini 1-of-1 bracket on the TD Garden ice almost 10 years ago and was a YouTube star, and now he’s an elite NHL prospect. Will be interesting to see his hockey in the NHL. Islanders made a good pick.
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