Husky Department: Islanders ink Northeastern C Stevens to two-year deal

The Islanders made a small surprise move this morning, agreeing to terms with undrafted Northeastern forward John Stevens on a two-year entry level deal.

From the team’s official release, because there’s no point in re-inventing the wheel here:

Stevens, 22, served as captain of the Northeastern University Huskies this season and scored 28 points (five goals, 23 assists) in 25 games. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound forward helped the Huskies win a Hockey East Title and reach the NCAA Tournament in 2016. In four years at Northeastern, Stevens scored 106 points (26 goals, 80 assists) in 138 games.

Stevens is the son of former Flyers head coach and current Kings assistant John Stevens. The younger Stevens also played with his brother Nolan for the Huskies, as noted by Sound Tigers beatwriter Michael Fornabaio.

From the school’s announcement. Sounds like a nice young man.

"I'm very happy for the opportunity that John has," said head coach Jim Madigan. "John has been the epitome of leadership and what a captain is all about here at Northeastern. He has done all the right things on and off the ice for four years, and has been recognized in many ways from academic success to community and athletic success. We're going to miss John, but we're all excited to watch his success in the future and know that he'll continue to be that fine young man and hockey player throughout his hockey career."

Stevens, from Sea Isle City, NJ, was the Huskies’ first line center and his winger, Staten Island native Zach Aston-Reese, is a finalist for this year’s Hobey Baker Award. Aston-Reese signed with the Penguins last month.

Cue the usual jokes about Stevens being the final piece of the puzzle and Stanley Cup here we come blah blah blah. There will be more than a few slots open on the Sound Tigers next season and he looks like he could be a fit there. With some luck, he ends up being responsible and heady enough that the Islanders call him up in a pinch instead of the first free 35-year-old on the Bridgeport depth chart.

In any event, welcome aboard, kid.