Two Islanders prospects are headed to the Regional Finals of the NCAA Tournament, while another three are playing in the first round of their respective Canadian junior league playoffs or are onto the second round.


Player Spotlight



Name: Max Gratchev
Position: Left Wing
Team: Rimouski (33-36-1-0)^
League: QMJHL
Acquired: Islanders 2007 fourth-round draft pick (106th overall)
Stats to date: Games Played (39), Goals (9), Assists (20), Points (29), PIM (48)

Update: Gratchev and No. 7 Rimouski completed first round series upset over No. 2 Baie-Comeau with a 5-2 win on Saturday. Gratchev was 1-0-1 with a +2 rating in the five-game  series. Rimouski next faces No. 1 Rouyn-Noranda.



Name: Jason Gregoire
Position: Left Wing
Team: Lincoln (28-21-6)
League: USHL
Acquired: Islanders 2007 third-round draft pick (76th overall)
Stats to date: Games Played (51), Goals (33), Assists (31), Points (64), PIM (41)

Update: With only three games remaining in the regular season, Lincoln has clinched the playoffs. Gregoire is tied for first in goals (33) and is third in points (64) in the USHL. His 14 power play goals are second in the league.



Name: Shea Guthrie
Position: Wing
Team: Clarkson (22-12-4, ECACHL 15-4-3)
League: ECACHL
Acquired: Islanders 2005 third round draft pick (76th overall)
Stats to date: GP (40), Goals (9), Assists (13), Points (22), PIM (0)

Update: No. 3 Clarkson's NCAA run came to an end on Saturday as the Golden Knights lost 3-0 to No. 1 Michigan in the East Regional Final. Click here for a complete recap of the game.



Name: Mark Katic
Position: Defenseman
Team: Sarnia (37-29-2-0)^
League: OHL
Acquired: Islanders 2007 third-round draft pick (62nd overall)
Stats to date: Games Played (45), Goals (5), Assists (26), Points (31), PIM (28)

Update: No. 6 Sarnia knocked off No. 3 Windsor in the first round of the OHL Playoffs. Katic returned from an injury to play in the final two games of the series. Katic picked up an assist in his first game back. Sarnia will take on the top-seeded Kitchener Rangers in the second round.

What the scouts are saying: "Mark got better as the game went on. Obviously being rusty from injury he needed a feeling out period however when the game was on the line in overtime, Mark was at his best creating numerous chances for himself, using his skills and talent."

- Ryan Jankowski, Islanders Assistant GM/Director of Amateur Scouting


Name: Blake Kessel
Position: Defenseman
Team: Waterloo (32-17-5)
League: USHL
Acquired: Islanders 2007 sixth-round draft pick (166th overall)
Stats to date: Games Played (56) Goals (19), Assists (35), Points (54), PIM (24)

Update: Kessel is in the team lead with 54 points as they continue their torrid run to the playoffs with five games remaining. Kessel still leads USHL defensemen in goals (19) and points (54).



Name: Simon Lacroix
Position: Defenseman
Team: Shawinigan (33-37-0-0)^
League: QMJHL
Acquired: Islanders 2007 seventh round draft pick (196th overall)
Stats to date: Games Played (52), Goals (5), Assists (29), Points (34), PIM (41)

Update: Lacroix picked up a goal and an assist in Game 5 against No. 3 Gatineau, but it was not enough. No. 6 Shawinigan fell 5-2 to Gatineau, eliminating them from the playoffs. Lacroix finished 1-3-4 in five playoff games.



Name: Tomas Marcinko
Position: Center
Team: Barrie (28-34-3-3)^
League: OHL
Acquired: Islanders 2006 fourth round draft pick (114th overall)
Stats to date: Games Played (48), Goals (19), Assists (26), Points (45), PIM (45)

Update: Barrie took their opening round playoff series against Brampton Batallion 4-1. Captain Marcinko is leading the way going 2-2-4 with a +3 rating in five games. Marcinko earned Second Star of the Game honors in Game 1, picking up two goals, including the game-winner in a 3-1 decision. No. 7Barrie meets meets No. 1 Belleville in the second round of the OHL playoffs.



Name: Tyrell Mason
Position: Defenseman
Team: Clarkson (21-12-4, ECACHL 15-4-3)
League: ECACHL
Acquired: Islanders 2005 sixth round draft pick (180th overall)
Stats to date: Games Played (37), Goals (1), Assists (8), Points (9), PIM (2)

Update: No. 3 Clarkson's NCAA run came to an end on Saturday as the Golden Knights los 3-0 to No. 1 Michigan in the East Regional Final. Click here for a complete recap of the game.



Name: Rhett Rakhshani
Position: Right Wing
Team: Denver (24-13-1, 16-11-1 WCHA)
League: WCHA
Acquired: Islanders 2006 fourth round draft pick (100th overall)
Stats to date: Games Played (37), Goals (14), Assists (14), Points (28), PIM (52)

Update: No. 2 Denver was upset 6-2 by No. 3 Wisconsin in the NCAA Midwest Regional Semifinal. Click here for a complete recap of the game.



Name: Jase Weslosky
Position: Goaltender
Team: St. Cloud State (19-15-5, 12-12-4 WCHA)   
League: WCHA
Acquired: Islanders 2006 fourth round draft pick (108th overall)
Stats to date: Record (16-12-2), GAA (2.12), SV% (.931)

Update: It was a disappointing end to St. Cloud's season on Friday night and they lost 2-1 to Clarkson in the East Regional Semifinal of the NCAA Tournament. They dropped to 0-8 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. Weslosky made 36 saves in the loss. Clarkson out-shot St. Cloud 38-24.

What the scouts are saying: "Weslosky was instrumental in keeping close. If it weren't for Jase, the game would have been out of hand. I've seen Jase a number of times this season and his growth has been noticeable."

- Toby O'Brien, Islanders pro scout



^ In the WHL, OHL and QMJHL, the points system is as follows: Wins (2 pts.)-Losses (0 pts.)-OT Losses (1 pt.)-Shootout Losses (1 pt.).