Despite an impressive showing in training camp, Josh Ho-Sang will begin the 2016-17 season in the American Hockey League.
The much-scrutinized, highly talented New York Islanders prospect scored four points and registered eight shots in five NHL pre-season games. Nevertheless, Ho-Sang and fellow first-rounder Michael Dal Colle were among 10 Islanders assigned to the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Thursday.
“If I have to play in the AHL this year, I’ll come back the next year and do it again,” Ho-Sang, 20, told Sportsnet this summer.
“That’s fine. Play better—that’s all I can do. If they want me to play in the AHL to work on my game, OK. What am I going to do? I’m not going to whine and complain. Just get better.”
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Ho-Sang, a native of Thornhill, Ont., was selected 28th overall by general manager Garth Snow in 2014 but has yet to make his NHL debut. He scored 82 points in 66 games last season for the Niagara IceDogs, where he was sent after showing up late for Day 1 of 2015’s training camp.
The Islanders also released Steve Bernier, Colin Markison and Tanner Fritz from their professional tryouts Thursday.
Ho-Sang will make his NHL debut later this season. Injuries and slumps happen. Smart move to get him some AHL time first. But he is ready.
— Tiimmy Turner (@CordLehman) October 6, 2016