Kashawn Aitcheson & Cole Eiserman Represent Islanders at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase

The two top New York Islanders prospects attended the NHLPA Rookie Showcase, and the Islanders added more depth to their AHL Hamilton Hammers roster.

Top Islanders Prospects in Chicago

This week in Chicago, Islanders’ prospects Kashawn Aitcheson and Cole Eiserman participated in the 2026 NHLPA Rookie Showcase. The event also showcased the NHL’s leading prospects, such as this year’s top pick Gavin McKenna, along with Porter Martone, Cole Hutson, and Quentin Musty.

During the multi-day event, attendees were given their first professional hockey card, courtesy of Upper Deck. The event concludes during the National Sports Collectors Convention taking place over the weekend in Rosemont, Illinois. 

Islanders Add More Organizational Depth

The Islanders continued to build depth in their organization with the two-way signings of Alex Jefferies, Joey Larson, and Hamilton, Ontario, native Brandon Scanlin to a one-year AHL contract.

Drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Draft by the Islanders, Jefferies will enter his third full season, fourth overall, with the organization. Prior to joining the Islanders, he had an accomplished NCAA career with Merrimack College, earning NCAA East Second-Team All-American in 2023 and was nominated for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award in 2024.

Jefferies has played 131 games with Bridgeport, tallying 26 goals and 39 assists for 65 points.

Larson enters his second full season with the Islanders organization. The Brighton, Michigan, native had a career year in Bridgeport, scoring 17 goals with 11 assists for 28 points in 63 games last season. 

Before his professional hockey career started in the late 2024-25 season, Michigan’s 2018 Mr. Hockey had a successful collegiate career with Northern Michigan and Michigan State, winning two straight Big Ten championships with the Spartans in 2024 and 2025.

Scanlin joins the Hammers after a five-year career with the New York Rangers organization, spending the majority with the AHL affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack. The veteran defenceman appeared in 60+ games in his first three full seasons with Hartford, but appeared in only 49 games last season, the fewest since his rookie season in 2021-22, when he appeared in 15 games after turning pro late in the season. 

Final Thoughts

For Aitcheson and Eiserman, the experience of having your name on a world-famous sports trading card is something every hockey player dreams of growing up, and I bet they are enjoying this. Adding more depth to the organization doesn’t hurt, especially for the Hammers, who are looking to continue their progression from last season in Bridgeport. Signing the veteran Scanlin to the Hammers adds another veteran presence to the young Hamilton roster and offers a personal, feel-good, full-circle story.