Islanders Use Extra Second-Round Selection On Kamil Bednarik
With the No. 61 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, the New York Islanders selected center Kamil Bednarik of the U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP).
Bednarik scored 26 goals with 39 assists for 65 points in 61 games with the U.S. National U18 Team before scoring 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) in 27 games with the U.S. NTDP Juniors of the United States Hockey League (USHL).
With the U.S. team at the World Junior Championship, Bednarik tallied two goals and four assists for six points in seven games.
Bednarik’s hallmark attribute is his defensive prowess. Using his motor, high hockey IQ, and strong decision-making, Bednarik does whatever it takes to win: battling along the boards, throwing big hits, forechecking, and scoring.
"I'm a 200-foot player. I think I play really well on both ends of the ice," Bednarik said. "I think that's kind of my biggest strength is that 200-foot game. I take a lot of pride in doing that, and me being good defensively at the same time, I could produce offensively as well, so I think I have a good balance of both worlds."
He was most often ranked by scouts in the second round, which is exactly where the Islanders picked him.
Islanders Use Extra Second-Round Selection On Kamil Bednarik
Similar to the Islanders’ No. 20 selection Cole Eiserman, Bednarik is committed to Boston University for college hockey. Bednarik often played with Eiserman as linemates for the U.S. NTDP.
"I wasn't expecting it. It's pretty cool. We played on a team together, and I've played on a line with him, too," Bednarik said. "It's pretty cool being drafted to the same team."
While Bednarik didn’t put up exceptional offensive numbers, he should be a coach’s favorite at every level of play.
Bednarik already possesses a well-rounded game and a strong work ethic, which should help him project as a third-line center for the Islanders.
"I'm the type of player that is able to play with whoever. I just feel that I have that trait where whoever's on my line, I feel like I can make the guys around me better," Bednarik said. "And I definitely would like to say I'm a very, very smart player as well. So, I definitely know my main strengths and weaknesses, and I adjust my game. I'm playing with a little bit.
"Obviously, if I'm on a line with a score, like Eiserman, I shift my game to obviously try and get him the puck. He has a really special ability to put the puck in the net [...], but at the same time, if I'm playing with, like, maybe more of a passer, then I can get open a little bit and try to try to score myself."
He models his game after former Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron.
"I guess the main guy is definitely Patrice Bergeron. I'm from Chicago, but whenever I was younger, I liked watching him play, and I liked how he was responsible, and I think I've picked up that responsible, mature game much earlier than some other players would have.
"So I definitely try to be as good as he is. In my opinion, I think he was honestly the best two-way forward that the game has ever seen. So I definitely strive to be just as good as him."