The New York Islanders made five picks on Day 2 of the 2023 NHL Draft. Get to know the newest prospects. INLINE

The New York Islanders made five picks on Day 2 of the 2023 NHL Draft. Get to know the newest prospects. 

"Our scouts are really excited about the second pick. They feel that he's a really good prospect," Lamoriello said. "And what we were able to get two different types of defensemen. One's a stay-at-home, and the other offensive. And the forwards all have speed, which is what we wanted to accomplish."

"So, everybody feels good. When your scouts feel good, you feel good because they see them, and the consensus was that they're happy with the way the day went."

Get to know them below:

Danny Nelson, C, No. 49

At No. 49, the Islanders selected 17-year-old Danny Nelson from the United States National Team Development Program.

"It's pretty crazy. It's honestly surreal," Nelson said. "It doesn't feel real yet, to be honest."

Nelson is a left-handed center committed to the University of Notre Dame in the fall, Anders Lee's alma mater.

The Islanders' newcomer doesn't know Lee or anyone in the Islanders system. But he's excited to meet the Islanders' captain.

"Anders Lee obviously went to Notre Dame, and so hopefully, I'll see him back at pro camp this year and get to meet him and compete against him as well."

More on Nelson HERE. 

Jesse Nurmi, LW, No. 113

Jesse Nurmi is an 18-year-old left-winger who scored 21 goals with 29 assists in 41 games for KooKoo's Under 20 team in Finland before one assist in nine games for KooKoo's Liiga team. 

Due to his contract, Nurmi cannot come over until the 2025-26 season. 

"I think I'm pretty good with the offensive game, like making little passes, good shots, doing little passes with the guys," Nurmi said. 

Today was a nerve-wracking day for the Fin. 

"Just being like little nervous all the time thinking about in the back (of my mind), it's going to come one day, and today...it's like dream come true. It's so amazing," Nurmi said.  

Nurmi models his game after Carolina Hurricanes Sebastian Aho and Columbus Blue Jackets Patrik Laine.

Justin Gill, C, No. 145

Justin Gill is a 20-year-old over-ager turning pro in 2023-24. 

The Quebec native scored 44 goals with 49 assists in 68 games for the Sherbrooke Phoenix of the QMJHL. 

"I can still feel a shock, like a positive one though. A lot of excitement for us and for my family. Probably the best day of my life right now," Gill said when he took the podium.

Gill does know a few players in the Islander system, in Quebec native Samuel Bolduc and William Dufour. 

He models his game after Vancouver Canucks J.T. Miller.

"Like I'm a big, strong power forward that can bring a lot of skill with also a very good IQ," Gill said. "I also like to take care of the defensive zone first and then step up on the offense."

As for what's next with the QMJHL no longer an option: "I'll go to development camp, and we'll discuss with the team what's best for us. But obviously, I wanted to play pro next year, so that's my main goal for this one."

Being an over-ager means Gill has had more time to develop certain skills. This is what he's been focusing on.

"We had a very good team. For me, it was only to play to try to play my best every game to help the team win. And I knew like I had good teammates with me, so I knew that if I play my game, simple and normal, everything would come along pretty well, and I think that's what I did."

Zach Schulz, D, No. 177

Zach Schultz is an 18-year-old stay-at-home defenseman from the United States National Development Program and is committed to playing at the University of Wisconsin in the fall. 

The Michigan native had a goal and nine assists in 52 U.S. National U18 Team games.

Schulz had the privilege of captaining Team USA at the World Juniors this past season:

"It was unbelievable. It was such an honor just one representing my country and then playing there for two years. It's such an honor also to be captain of that team that ends up winning a gold medal, I kind of relay it all back to my teammates. I wouldn't be that guy if it weren't for them. They trusted me in that situation, and my coach trusted me, so I was lucky to do that. And we got the job done there. And that was one of the best moments of my life."

As for his game:

"I'm pretty much a stay-at-home defenseman. I can provide a little offense, but I like to play hard, physical, play against those top guys and shut them down and then provide my offense and make that good first pass and set my teammates up for success."

Schulz models his game after Ian Cole. 

The six-foot-one defenseman had to wait a tad to hear his name called, but he is ecstatic to being joining the Islanders. 

"So unbelievable. It's been a long day, but to hear my name finally called by such a great organization...it's just so surreal, and it's everything you worked for, and I couldn't be happier."

He doesn't know anyone in the Islanders organization but is about to be a college teammate with Islanders 2022 third-round pick Quinn Finley. 

"I know Quinn Finley at Wisconsin with me," Schulz said. "Said all great things and pumped it up a lot. So I can't wait to get back to school, talk to him about it, and share that with them. And it's just awesome."

Schulz did play with Danny Nelson and had nothing but glowing things to say about the Islanders' 2023 second-rounder. 

"He's one of my closest buddies," Schulz said. "He's an unbelievable player, an unbelievable person, and worked so hard at what he does, and he supports his teammates, and that's all you can ask for."

As for what Schulz wants to improve upon at the University of Wisconsin:

"I would say my offensive game just as a whole and not (just) when I have the puck. It's not having those one-and-done plays. It's either getting a good shot or curling up and finding a teammate. So, mostly my offensive game is what I'm looking to improve over the years."

Dennis Good Bogg, D, No. 209

Dennis Good Bogg is a 19-year-old Swedish defenseman who played most of this past season in the Swedish junior league for AIK. 

In 20 games, Good Bogg notched four goals and 24 assists before no points in five games with Hockey Allsvenskan.

He was not at the draft.