NHL Draft Picks Gain Pro Experience in AHL Late Season

First-round selections from 2024 and 2025 make AHL debuts for Bruins, Islanders affiliates

Apr. 2, 2026 at 4:00am

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Several recent NHL first-round draft picks have joined American Hockey League teams on amateur tryout agreements to gain late-season professional experience. Boston Bruins prospect James Hagens signed with the Providence Bruins, while New York Islanders picks Cole Eiserman and Victor Eklund have debuted with Bridgeport. The Detroit Red Wings and Arizona Coyotes have also signed goaltending prospects Trey Augustine and Michael Hrabal to entry-level deals, sending them to AHL affiliates Grand Rapids and Tucson. Additionally, the Islanders are relocating their AHL team from Bridgeport, Connecticut to Hamilton, Ontario starting next season.

Why it matters

Allowing top NHL draft picks to get a taste of professional hockey in the AHL late in the season provides valuable development experience as they transition from the junior or college ranks. It also gives the NHL teams an early look at how their prospects perform at the pro level. The Islanders' relocation of their AHL team marks the end of a long-standing affiliation in Bridgeport and brings the AHL back to Hamilton, Ontario for the first time since 2015.

The details

Three recent first-round NHL draft picks have joined AHL teams on amateur tryout agreements to gain late-season experience. Boston Bruins prospect James Hagens, selected 7th overall in 2025, has 2 points in 3 games with the Providence Bruins. New York Islanders picks Cole Eiserman (20th overall, 2024) and Victor Eklund (16th overall, 2025) have combined for 5 points in 9 games with Bridgeport. The Detroit Red Wings signed goalie Trey Augustine, a 2nd round pick in 2023, to an entry-level deal and sent him to AHL affiliate Grand Rapids. The Arizona Coyotes did the same with goalie Michael Hrabal, a 2nd rounder in 2023, assigning him to Tucson. Additionally, the Islanders received approval to relocate their AHL team from Bridgeport, Connecticut to Hamilton, Ontario starting next season.

  • On March 23, James Hagens signed an amateur tryout agreement with Providence.
  • On March 27, Victor Eklund scored the deciding shootout goal in his Bridgeport debut.
  • On March 28, Michael Hrabal made 22 saves in his pro debut with Tucson.
  • On March 31, the AHL Board of Governors approved the Islanders' request to relocate their AHL affiliate to Hamilton, Ontario.

The players

James Hagens

A 19-year-old forward selected 7th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 2025 NHL Draft. He led Boston College and all Hockey East players this season with 47 points.

Cole Eiserman

A 19-year-old forward selected 20th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2024 NHL Draft. He had 28 points for Boston University this season.

Victor Eklund

A 19-year-old forward selected 16th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2025 NHL Draft. He had 24 points in 43 games for Djurgarden in the Swedish Hockey League and won gold with Sweden at the 2026 World Juniors.

Trey Augustine

A 21-year-old goaltending prospect signed by the Detroit Red Wings, who selected him in the 2nd round (41st overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft. He was named the Big Ten Goaltender of the Year for the second straight season.

Michael Hrabal

A 21-year-old goaltending prospect signed by the Arizona Coyotes, who selected him in the 2nd round (38th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft. He was a finalist for the Mike Richter Award as the top NCAA goalie this season.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to develop our top prospects and give them every opportunity to gain professional experience at the AHL level.”

— Steve Yzerman, General Manager, Detroit Red Wings

“These young players are the future of our franchises, and getting them acclimated to the pro game now will pay dividends down the road.”

— Lou Lamoriello, President of Hockey Operations, New York Islanders

What’s next

The Islanders' new AHL affiliate in Hamilton will begin play next season, marking the return of the AHL to the city for the first time since 2015.

The takeaway

Allowing top NHL draft picks to join AHL teams on amateur tryouts provides invaluable late-season development experience as they transition to the pro game. This strategy has been embraced by several teams, including the Bruins, Islanders, Red Wings, and Coyotes, as they look to accelerate the growth of their top prospects.