With seasoned vet Semyon Varlamov returning on a four-year contract and Ilya Sorokin being inked to an eight-year extension, the New York Islanders are all set when it comes to their NHL goaltending. However, the same cannot be said for their AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders.
With goaltender Cory Schneider reportedly "giving up" on his NHL comeback and heading overseas, that leaves an opening in Bridgeport. Curentally, the AHL Islanders have 23-year-old Jakub Skarek on the roster, who is entering his fifth season in Bridgeport.
Skarek ranked 40th/42 qualified AHL goalies last season in save percentage (.892%), and posted a 15-16-3 record.
Henrik Tikkanen, who was a seventh-rounder by New York in 2020, is entering his second season. He played in 38 games for the Islanders’ ECHL affiliate, the Worcester Railers in 2022/23. Tikkanen sported a 3.02 GAA with a .914sv%.
Bridgeport also has 20-year-old Tristan Lennox, who is gearing up for his first professional season. Lennox spent the last four seasons in the OHL, playing for the Saginaw Spirit. Last season in 45 games, Lennox put up a 3.15 GAA with a save-percentage of .888%.
Also reporting to rookie mini-camp is Brent Moran, a former Stars’ draftee back in 2014. He spent part of the 2022/23 season on the Railers by loan, and is listed on SPHL’s Quad City Storm’s roster.
Though three goalies reported to camp, it is expected that Tristan Lennox would get the Connecticut spot months ago. The Bridgeport Islanders open their season on October 13th, against the Rochester Americans.
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