The New York Islanders have had perfect attendance through the first four days of rookie camp. That includes former Islanders and long-time NHL defensemen Johnny Boychuk and Dennis Seidenberg, who both are leaving their marks on the youngsters.

The New York Islanders have had perfect attendance through the first four days of rookie camp. That includes former Islanders and long-time NHL defensemen Johnny Boychuk and Dennis Seidenberg.

Boychuk played eight seasons on Long Island from 2014-2022 before an eye injury forced him to hang up the skates. His acquisition in the summer of 2014, along with Nick Leddy, helped the organization take vital steps in building a winning culture.  

Seidenberg spent just two seasons on Long Island but, like Boychuk, had a long-lasting effect on the current defensive staples. The year Mathew Barzal won the Calder, he lived with the Seidenberg family. 

"I think having guys like Johnny here and Dennis Seidenberg really helped. Those guys have been in every situation that you can imagine," Bridgeport Islanders defenseman Aidan Fulp (undrafted out of Western Michigan University) said. "They're seeking us out on the ice. Like we don't always have to go to them. They know if something's up. And I think that's a huge testament to the program, bringing [in] guys like that to help the new guys just shows their commitment and their level of dedication to helping the new guys develop.”

Defenseman Isaiah George, who has only a year left in the OHL before he can turn pro, lit up with a smile when asked about Boychuk and Seidenberg. 

"First and foremost, they're great guys and super approachable," George said. "Just good guys to be around, like on the ice, just around the rink. And then, obviously, they have a lot of knowledge and experience, and they've kind of seen it all, been through it all.

"So it's good to be able to have someone to ask things about, in terms of adjustments or just little things about how you go about your day or preparing for games and practices and all that."

Like Fulp said, their willingness to approach the prospects shows how much they care. 

"It just shows how much they care about us and having us be successful players, and I think it's a great atmosphere to be a part of," George said. 

For a lot of these youngsters, they grew up watching Boychuk and Seidenberg at the peak of their NHL games, and that's what also makes skating with them one heck of an experience. 

"It's pretty cool. You grow up watching these kinds of guys and idolizing them, and they're the guys that are on posters in your bedroom," Islanders prospect Matthew Maggio said. "So it's pretty funny to be able to be on the ice and get instruction for them."

Even though the two are defensemen, their advice is also ultra-valuable to the forwards.  

"They're defensemen, but a big part of playing in the NHL is your defensive zone and how good you can do without the puck," Maggio said. "I think they still have a lot of input to give, even as forwards. More importantly, I think they're just better people. They're role models to us. They're guys that you want to be around, and they have careers that you aspire to have. So I think they're two great role models for us to have out there."

Bridgeport head coach Rick Kowalsky said that Boychuk and Seidenberg bring tremendous value. 

"There's the experience, how long have they been around. Johnny won a Cup (2011, Seidenberg too). They're both good guys and are both approachable," Kowalsky said. "I think with development staffs, they get to know some of these players before we do as coaches, and they build relationships with them right from the draft or signing.

"I think that's a valuable part of the development process because you take this camp, for example. Guys that have been here for the first time -- and I know Rod Pelley here who played for me, and he's in development -- they can give you, not so much information, but just give you an idea of the personality of the kid and where he played and what he did. 

Kowalsky continued: "Before, a lot of these guys just came in, and you might have management or a scout say, 'Hey, this guy played here. He's a good player,' type deal. So I think it's valuable, but those guys obviously being on the ice and being able to get into not only the defenseman but all the guys' ears and just used as a sounding board and share their experiences, I think it's a huge resource to have."

After an off-day Monday due to the Islanders' charity golf outing, rookies will hit the ice for one final day on Tuesday.