Greater Mineola coverage is funded in part by The Farm Italy, a striking neighborhood restaurant and cocktail bar bringing the simplicity, beauty and seasonal freshness of Italian dining to Westbury.

While Matthew Schaefer was putting together a Calder Trophy-winning rookie season with the Islanders, fans were also keeping a close eye on fellow defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, another of the team’s three first-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft.

The 19-year-old captained the Barrie Colts to the Ontario Hockey League Finals while leading all OHL defensemen during the regular season with 28 goals and 70 points.

He added eight goals and 19 assists for 27 points in 19 playoff games and became Barrie’s all-time leading scorer among defensemen while setting the franchise’s single-season goals record for a defenseman.

The left-handed blueliner also established himself as a physical presence, routinely delivering some of the biggest hits in junior hockey.

Now, Aitcheson is ready to compete for a job with the Islanders as training camp gets underway this week.