In the latest edition of Across The Sound, Brendan Yerkes chats with New York Islanders prospect Matthew Maggio, who just scored his first two AHL goals this past weekend.

Matthew Maggio came into his second New York Islanders training camp as a prospect on the rise after being crowned OHL Player of the Year in his final season with Windsor.

The 20-year-old's stock continued to rise as he impressed Islanders head coach Lane Lambert and very well be the Islanders' top prospect at this very moment.

After a taste of AHL action at the end of last season, Maggio is settling into his first full-professional season in Bridgeport.

Following an impressive weekend from the skilled forward, he sat down to discuss his start with the organization, his comfort level, and more.

Maggio didn't hear his name called at the 2021 NHL Draft and didn't have high expectations heading into the 2022 NHL Draft in Montreal. He chose not to attend for that reason.

Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello and his scouts saw something in Maggio, choosing to use their fifth-round selection on him at No. 142.

"I had a talk with the Islanders a week or two before the draft, and I thought it went really well, but I didn't really hear too much more about it," Maggio said. "My parents weren't even home. My dad was at work, and my mom was actually picking me up some groceries for lunch. Pretty funny.

"It was just me and my buddy working out in the garage, and my agent gave me a call and told me I got drafted."

Maggio was excited about the opportunity to join the Islanders organization, given their history.

"It's pretty cool to hear that I'm with such a storied franchise with the dynasty that they had," Maggio explained. "To be drafted by such an ambassador of the game in Mr. Lamoriello, that was pretty special as well."

Being passed over by every NHL team and being selected in the later rounds of the draft has undoubtedly been a motivating factor for Maggio.

"I think I'm a guy who always likes to play with a chip on my shoulder, and I don't change that. Wherever I am, I do want to play with that same chip," Maggio said. "I know how much it sucked being passed over that first time. I remember that draft finishing and a few of my buddies came over to tell me to keep working, and I didn't want to hear it.

"That's a day I didn't want to feel again."

Maggio has always been an underdog, given his size, and that chip on his shoulder is what's allowed him to have success in his final OHL season and early on with the Islanders organization.

"I like to be an underdog, and I like to play with a chip on my shoulder. I find that's when I'm playing best and just try to carry that model," Maggio said.

With that mentality, Maggio led the entire OHL in goals and points last season. He scored 54 goals and dished out 57 assists for 111 points for Windsor.

Similar to his current teammate William Dufour, Maggio had his best junior season at age 20.

When asked about that criticism, Maggio explained why his fourth junior season was his best:

"I missed a full junior year there, so I didn't get to have a full year of development," Maggio said, as the pandemic meant not hockey. "I really don't think you're going to play in the NHL at 18 unless you're a few special guys. Some guys get drafted and are complacent with it.

"I wasn't, so I'd shoot pucks every day after practice, do the little things through the extra stuff that I know helped me in the long run, and I think it's kind of just building for that."

Transitioning to the AHL has brought an increase in speed both on and off the ice.

"There's a change in pace," Maggio said. "I haven't really found that to be too crazy, but obviously, there is a huge adjustment in moving to a new country and the stuff away from the rink, like having to find a place and live on your own and do all that for the first time."

The faster pace of the AHL game forces quicker decisions, physically and mentally.

So far, Maggio is working up to the task.

"There's not as much time and space out there. You can get away with some stuff in junior, but I feel like it's been a good transition," Maggio said. "It's a challenge that I wanted last year, and I'm excited. It's something that I don't want to shy away from, and I am embracing."

The players in the Bridgeport locker room have been a great help to the first-year forward.

"We have such a great team here. A bunch of older guys that have played NHL games, and they understand what it takes to get there," Maggio said. "I sit next to Cole Bardreau in the dressing room, and he's a guy that's played for a long time. He really gets the game, and he's a great mentor for me."

There is a mix of experienced veterans and young players alike.

"Then you have some younger guys obviously that we're all pushing each other every day to get better, and it's a healthy competition," Maggio said. "The younger players are all fighting for their opportunity to play in the NHL.

"I'm a guy that likes to play with a lot of energy. I play with a lot of pace, shoot the puck and make plays. I'm definitely offensive," is how Maggio described the type of game he plays.

"I think I'm a guy who can get in on the forecheck and strip pucks, cause some havoc for defenseman, and use my stick to win pucks."

Hard work and dedication are the name of the game, and Maggio knows if he wants to get a taste of NHL action, whether that's at some point this season or next season, he needs to improve certain areas of his game.

"I think adding some physicality to my game is something that I've been trying to do," Maggio said. "There's always little things that I'm trying to work on, stuff that I'm doing after practice to constantly improve."

This past weekend was a big one for Maggio, as he scored his first professional goal on Saturday, October 21, against the Utica Comets.

It was also the first goal on home ice for Bridgeport this season.

"The picture says it all. I was pretty happy. You couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Kind of just like a nice relief to get that one," Maggio said. "Obviously, you want to get the first one out of the way, and then I feel like after that, you can kind of let loose a little bit and get some confidence from that and try to build on it."

He did just that, scoring in the following game against the Hershey Bears.

"I just felt like once that happened, just a bunch of relief. It's a pretty special moment to have my family here with me and be able to celebrate with them," Maggio said.

As far as goals for the future, Maggio wants to make an impact in Bridgeport and improve his overall game. The statistics are secondary to him.

"The goal is to be called up this year. Once you get called up, everyone's goal is to stick," Maggio said. "I'm going to work for that call-up, and I don't really like to focus on the points. I think that comes when I'm working hard and trying to help the team win.

Sure, it was a strong weekend for Maggio, but if you think he's satisfied, you go the wrong guy.

"I'm not trying to settle here at all. I'm trying to get better every week," Maggio said. "So, I think if I can up my game a little bit every week over the course of the season, that's something that everyone would be pretty happy with."

Maggio has a lot of Islanders fans excited about his potential. If he continues to work hard, the sky could be the limit for the 20-year-old right winger.

"The final goal is up there with the Islanders," Maggio said. "So I want to keep working for that."

Every week, Brendan Yerkes chats with a member of the Bridgeport Islanders. Last week, he spoke with Ruslan Iskhakov, who got off to an impressive start: