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The New York Islanders crossed another item off their 2013 draft to-do list by agreeing to terms with right-shooting defenseman Kyle Burroughs to a three-year, entry-level contract that begins in 2015-16.
Burroughs, 19, is still in the Western Hockey League playoffs with the Medicine Hat Tigers, who acquired him from Regina (where he played when the Isles drafted him in 2013). That second-round series against the Calgary Hitmen is scheduled to go at least to April 15 and likely longer, so no AHL ATO appearance with Bridgeport this spring for him.
In his fourth WHL season, Burroughs has logged 39 points (seven goals, 32 assists) in 66 games split between Regina and Medicine Hat.
As a seventh-round, 196th-overall pick, Burroughs was ostensibly a longshot to even get a contract, yet he immediately improved his stock and this signing ultimately comes as no surprise. Since the draft, he captained Regina and continued to improve his offensive numbers as he took on bigger minutes. Still, with a selection that late, if he becomes an NHLer, it's found money for the Isles.
And it's possible: That "longshot" tag came with some caveats, as several scouts had him pegged to go higher in the draft. Listed at 5'11 then, he's now listed as 6' and around 200 lbs.
As always with young defensemen, it will be a while before we see whether this one pays off. Certainly there is a crowd of promising young defensemen in Bridgeport where Burroughs will fight it out.
Dream come true signing with the @NYIslanders! Cant thank my family, friends, teammates and coaches enough for all the support!
— kyle burroughs (@kburroughs7) April 8, 2015
Also: For more on Burroughs, pancakes, cat t-shirts and WHL wars, check out this "magical quiz" at Shnarped.
2013 Draft Update
Draft picks from the 2013 class who are playing in juniors need to be signed before June or risk re-entering the draft. First rounder Ryan Pulock signed later that summer, third rounders Eamon McAdam and Taylor Cammarata are still in college (so their rights are retained until they leave or graduate), fourth-round goalie Stephon Williams signed last week, and sixth rounder Alan Quine, a re-draft himself, is on an AHL deal.
Fifth rounder Victor Crus Rydberg appeared on an ATO with Bridgeport last year but does not have an NHL contract yet. His Plymouth team did not make the OHL playoffs.