Ken Morrow is no stranger to miracles. The Islanders Hall of Fame defenseman was a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team that won the Gold Medal at Lake Placid. 45 years later, Morrow was part of another miracle, this time, as the Islanders head of pro scouting and lottery representative. The Islanders came into the NHL Draft Lottery with the 10th selection and a 3.5% chance to move up to the number one pick. Their odds increased to 18.2% after the first three ping pong balls were drawn (7, 11, 12). They needed either ball No. 5 or No. 13 to come to the top of the tube. Well, the hockey gods smiled on the Islanders.
The Islanders have won the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery and will chose first overall. Hauppauge, LI native die-hard Islanders fan James Hagens, Michael Misa, and Matthew Schaefer are the draft’s top prospects.
It will mark the fifth time in team history that the Islanders have the first overall pick. They took John Tavares in 2009, goalie Rick DiPietro in 2000, Hall of Fame defenseman Denis Potvin in 1973 and Billy Harris in 1972, the Islanders’ first year of existence.
The 2025 NHL Draft will be held in Los Angeles on June 27 and 28.
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