Storm Blueliner Vladimir Dravecky Signs ELC With New York Islanders

Guelph Storm defenceman Vladimir Dravecky has signed his entry-level contract with the New York Islanders, the team announced Wednesday morning.

Dravecky, 18, was a fifth-round pick in this year's NHL draft. An American-born, Czech international, he takes up an import spot in the OHL.

After being traded to Guelph from the Brantford Bulldogs this summer, the 6-foot offensive blueliner has assumed a big role on the blue line of the Memorial Cup hosts, playing big minutes and running the power play.

He's rewarded these minutes with a goal and four points in his first four games with the team, taking a notable step from last season in a depth role on a loaded Bulldogs blue line.

Dravecky has played in multiple countries and even for multiple different nations internationally in his young hockey career. He grew up in Czechia, playing with the HC Oceláři Třinec system, before moving to play internationally for Team Slovakia and HC Kosice for a bit.

In 2024, he made a big switch, switching his international allegiance to represent Czechia for that summer's Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, and moving to play his club hockey in Sweden for Rögle BK's U20 team. He played one season there, before getting drafted by Brantford in the CHL import draft, and coming over to play in North America for his draft year as an 18-year-old with a late-December birthday.

Now, he's playing out his 19-year-old season in Guelph, and projects to be a big piece of not only the Storm's Memorial Cup season, but also Czechia at this winter's World Juniors.

He's an experienced young player, and one the Islanders clearly value having around their organization, giving him this contract.

One other thing signing an ELC means, is Dravecky is no longer eligible to play in the NCAA, a pathway that may have been open prior to this deal. It seems like he'll likely look to turn pro, potentially to the AHL next season if he impresses enough at next year's training camp.

But for now, the focus stays on Guelph, as they build towards hosting that Mem Cup in the spring.

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