New York Islanders prospect Alex Jefferies is off to a fast start in his first taste of professional hockey. Enjoy this exclusive interview with the young forward.
New York Islanders prospect Alex Jefferies is off to a fast start in his first taste of professional hockey. Enjoy this exclusive interview with the young forward.
BRIDGEPORT, NY -- New York Islanders prospect Alex Jefferies is off to a fast start in his first taste of professional hockey.
Since joining the Bridgeport Islanders, Jefferies has three goals and an assist in his first eight games.
Jefferies is a prospect who has flown under the radar since the Islanders drafted him in the fourth round (No. 121) of the 2020 NHL Draft.
He's been an offensive weapon at the collegiate level, recording 97 points, with 41 goals and 56 assists in 105 games for Merrimack College across a four-year NCAA career.
While Jefferies has not yet inked his entry-level contract (coming soon), Bridgeport inked him to an Amateur Tryout (ATO), which lasts until Apr. 20, the last game of their regular season.
Jefferies had to wait four years to join the organization and couldn't be more excited to be here.
"I've been excited to be here for a while, and I'm glad it finally happened," Jefferies told THN. "It's been a while, but I'm just really excited to be here. I've been working with the development guys for a couple of years. They're awesome for me. Then getting here has been great, too. So I'm excited for the last couple of games."
Jefferies is a tremendous offensive talent and also a big body, listed at six feet tall and 194 pounds.
Like many prospects, his goal is to improve his overall game and make the necessary strides to become an NHL option.
"Just being a more well-rounded player. I've always been a good offensive player and worked on that part of my game," Jefferies said. "I'm just trying to do all the little things that I can defensively, stick positioning, all that sort of stuff."
As many know, especially now that Roy is here, the need for forwards to be defensively responsible is paramount.
Jefferies wants to start using his size to his advantage more frequently than he does.
"Being a little bit more physical, too, is a goal. I think I used it well tonight. Some nights, I have to use it more," Jefferies said. Definitely, I can use my frame to be physical in the corners, and it allows me to make more plays, so I try to use it whenever I can.
"I'm just trying to come in and help out any way I can and produce if I can. Pucks have been going in recently. They weren't at first, so that's nice."
Jefferies' shot is a big part of his game.
The goal he scored against Rochester showcases all of his tools -- strength to create separation and push forward -- and then the quick snapshot into the back of the net, which was perfectly placed.
"I work on my shot a lot. I just try and use it whenever I can. Whenever I get in an area where I can shoot, I just try and let it rip, and (Carsen) Twarynski was great on that play, too," Jefferies said. He made a good play on their defenseman and got me that breakaway, so I'm just trying to use my shot whenever I can, use it to my advantage. It's a big part of my game."
When asked about Bridgeport's slow offensive start but recent scoring improvements, he mentioned potential bad luck for the team before he arrived.
"We have all the talent. I wasn't here obviously at the beginning of the year, but maybe pucks just weren't going in?" Jefferies said. "We have some good players -- maybe things weren't going our way -- and I'm glad they started a little bit better this weekend.
"Hopefully we can keep it going."
Jefferies has added a boost, playing in the top six.
As far as the transition from NCAA Division I to the AHL, Jefferies hasn't needed much time adjusting.
"There's not a huge difference," Jefferies said in his short time playing professional hockey. "Guys are bigger, a little bit more physical, and there's a little less time and space, so it takes a couple of games just to get used to it, but I think it's been a pretty smooth transition after the first couple."
Jefferies is learning that he needs to make quicker decisions with the puck in the pro game.
"The biggest difference is just the pressure defenseman put on you," Jefferies said. "That's the number one thing, just like on walls and on breakouts. There's just a lot less time and space on the breakout.
"In tighter areas, defenseman just pinches better, and teams are more structured, too. So it's tougher coming through the neutral zone, that sort of thing."
Ahead of the season's home stretch, Jefferies is keen on continuing to improve his skills.
"I'm just trying to keep getting better and keep working on my game," Jefferies said. "I think good things will happen, but I'm just trying to focus on the last four games here and then keep trying to work on my game however I can."
If Jefferies can continue developing as he is, the Islanders organization is in good hands. General manager Lou Lamoriello might have found himself a late-round gem who can help produce on the offensive end.
In eight games with Bridgeport, Jefferies has three goals and an assist.
The Islanders have until Aug. 15 to sign Jefferies to his ELC, or they lose his rights.