New York Islanders [http://thn.com/isles] No. 17 overall pick Kashawn Aitcheson [https://www.theelmonters.com/p/new-york-islanders-kashawn-aitcheson-2025-nhl-draft-development-camphttps://www.theelmonters.com/p/new-york-islanders-kashawn-aitcheson-2025-nhl-draft-development-camp] was forced to leave the ice on Wednesday evening while representing Team Canada at the World Junior Summer Showcase in Minneapolis, Minnesota. While going back to retrieve a puck below the goal line, Finland's Atte Joki (Dallas Stars) hit Aitcheson from behind. Aitcheson immediately went right down the tunnel, failing to return. Joki was ejected for the hit. Following the game, FloHockey prospect analyst Chris Peters said that Aitcheson was held out of the rest of the game for precaution purposes and that if this wasn't a game in July, the physical defenseman would have been right back out there. We'll see if Aitcheson plays the rest of the showcase. The 18-year-old has not yet made a decision on whether he will be returning to the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League for a fourth season or heading to play in the NCAA. PHOTO: @hogamadog [https://x.com/hogamadog/status/1950737074832773567/photo/1]
