Islanders Goalie Prospect Tristan Lennox Has Sights Set on Bridgeport Opening
With Semyon Varlamov returning on a four-year deal and Ilya Sorokin signing an eight-year extension, the New York Islanders have zero question marks regarding their NHL goaltending. However, the same cannot be said for their AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders.
EAST MEADOW, NY -- With Semyon Varlamov returning on a four-year deal and Ilya Sorokin signing an eight-year extension, the New York Islanders have zero question marks regarding their NHL goaltending.
However, the same cannot be said for their AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders.
With veteran goaltender Cory Schneider heading overseas, that leaves an opening alongside 23-year-old Jakub Skarek, who is entering his fifth season in Bridgeport.
Henrik Tikkanen, 22 (2020, rd. 7), is entering his second season of North American hockey after starting his professional career in Europe. He played 38 games for the Worcester Railers in 2022-23, the Islanders' ECHL affiliate, owning a 3.02 GAA with a .914 SV%.
The Islanders also have another goaltending prospect getting ready for his first professional season, and that's 20-year-old Tristan Lennox.
The 2021 third-round pick has spent the last four seasons in the OHL, playing for the Saginaw Spirit. Last season in 45 games, Lennox owned a 3.15 GAA with an .888 SV%.
Lennox said his focus this summer was getting more acclimated to the professional game.
"I'm just trying to get adapted to pro shots," Lennox told The Hockey News.
After getting a taste of NHL-caliber shots at last year's rookie camp, Lennox looks and feels more comfortable this time.
"I'm a lot more comfortable," Lennox told The Hockey News. "I think the speed of the shots and the velocity is way harder, just the speed and also the speed of the game.
"They move pucks quicker and move seam to seam faster."
Well, it certainly looks like his offseason preparation translated, as Lennox has impressed in camp. He's been aggressive in his crease, showcased strong positioning, has been vocal with his defenseman, and has also shown a bail-out ability that NHL goalies need to have.
Following last year's camp, Lennox knew he was returning to juniors. But now that there's an opening in Bridgeport, on top of him turning pro, he said that's been a driving force.
"A lot. I mean, obviously, that's the goal," Lennox said. "So, I'm gonna try my best to do that and see what happens.
"I think this year, I have to make the adjustment and step in right away, so I think it's definitely a little more comfortable this year but still still tough."
Lennox has impressed rookie camp head coach, Bridgeport bench boss Rick Kowalsky.
"His compete level on pucks, the way he talks, he seems like a real competitive guy in general," Kowalsky said. "And I love that he's just not afraid to jump into the skating drills with the forwards as a goaltender, so for me, right now, he is one of the guys that -- even though he was at camp last year -- has stood out."
Islanders prospect Simon Holmstrom weighed in on Lennox's performance thus far.
"He looks really good," Holmstrom told THN. He made some really good saves. Impressive, as well."