The
New York Islanders have signed right wing
Joel Rechlicz (pronounced WRECK-lidge) to a three-year entry level contract. The 6-4, 220 pound forward is billed as a tough-as-nails type of player and will bring toughness to the organizational depth chart. Rechlicz will turn 21 in June.
"We've been looking at Joel for some time now and he was a player we targeted for his toughness and energy," said Islanders General Manager
Garth Snow. "He's someone who will help our organization be stronger in those areas."
Rechlicz, nicknamed “The Wrecker” by fans from different cities, spent the 2007-08 season splitting time between the
Albany River Rats of the AHL and the
Kalamazoo Wings of the IHL. He played in 25 games for each club and scored a goal with an assist for two points and 206 penalty minutes in his combined time at those two stops.
Rechlicz began his junior career in 2005-06 splitting time between the
Des Moines Buccaneers and the
Indiana Ice of the USHL and
Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL. In 2006-07, Rechlicz spent the majority of the season with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the QMJHL while also skating in a pair of games with the Chicago Hounds of the UHL.
Rechlicz, a native of Brookfield, WI, will attend the team’s annual summer mini-camp in July.