Islanders Ink Campoli to Three-Year Deal

[EricGodardfan]

The New York Islanders and Chris Campoli have agreed to terms on a three-year contract that will keep the 23-year-old defenseman an Islander through at least the 2009-10 season. In 131 career NHL games, all with the Islanders, Campoli has scored 10 goals with 38 assists for 48 points in two seasons.

"Signing Chris Campoli to a long-term contract was a priority of ours this off-season," said Islanders general manager Garth Snow. "He's one of the most skilled young defenseman in the NHL and we're thrilled that he'll continue his development in an Islanders uniform."

In his rookie season of 2005-06, Campoli appeared in 80 games and scored 9 goals with 25 assists for 34 points. That season, he became the fifth Islanders' rookie defensemen in franchise history to score 30 points. He also led all Islanders rookies with 34 points and was sixth among NHL rookie defensemen in points scored. Last season, Campoli scored a goal with 13 assists for 14 points in 51 games. He missed the first nine games of the season with a groin injury and spent time with the Islanders AHL affiliate in Bridgeport.

"I'm very grateful for the opportunity the Islanders have given me, showing a commitment with this long-term contract," Campoli said this afternoon from his offseason home in Ontario. “This is the only place where I want to play and now I'll be able to continue to establish myself as an NHL player as an Islander."

In his first professional season of 2004-05 with Bridgeport (AHL), Campoli finished with 49 points, second on the team overall and first among Sound Tigers defensemen and rookies. He was also tied for sixth among AHL rookies in plus/minus with a rating of +13 and in power play goals with seven, while third among AHL defenseman in goals with 15 and fourth in points with 49. Campoli was also selected to the AHL's All-Rookie Team.

In his last season of junior hockey in 2003-04, Campoli was named the CHL's Humanitarian Player of the Year in Canadian Major Hockey and was awarded the Dan Synder Memorial Trophy, given annually to the OHL's Humanitarian Player of the Year. Campoli was also the captain of the Erie Otters and was selected to the OHL's Third All-Star Team by setting junior career-highs in goals with 20, assists with 46 and points with 66, while finishing second on the team in scoring and first among defensemen.

The Islanders selected Campoli in the seventh round (227th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

[Isles4life]

Joy. I like Chris, but he didn't always look great last season, although he did suffer some early season setbacks. The team still needs another legitimate top-4 blueliner, but hopefully Campoli continues to develop into a good offensive defenseman. He still definitely needs some work in his own end though.

[PotvinSucks]

Originally Posted by Isles4life

Joy. I like Chris, but he didn't always look great last season, although he did suffer some early season setbacks. The team still needs another legitimate top-4 blueliner, but hopefully Campoli continues to develop into a good offensive defenseman. He still definitely needs some work in his own end though.

My .02...if Im an Islander fan, the last thing I was is the next big up and coming offensive defenseman - who may fizzle into nothing. I think the Isles need a "defense first" stay at home type d-man. The kid may get better as he gains more experience, but, I dont think it would also hurt for him to gain about 20 pounds of muscle either.