The New York Islanders might’ve found a hidden gem in their 2024 draft class - and he wasn’t taken in the first round, or even the third. We're talking about sixth-round pick Xavier Veilleux, a 19-year-old defenseman who’s turning heads in his freshman season at Cornell University.
Veilleux just earned ECAC Defenseman of the Month honors for January, and it’s easy to see why. The left-shot blueliner racked up three goals and eight assists in just 10 games for the No. 9-ranked Big Red, showcasing a level of poise and playmaking that’s rare for a first-year college player - let alone one who was selected 179th overall.
Let’s rewind a bit. When the Islanders drafted Veilleux out of the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks, his numbers didn’t exactly scream “future NHL standout.”
He posted 32 points in 62 games during his draft year and followed that up with a solid but not spectacular 41-point campaign the next season. Respectable?
Sure. But not the kind of stat lines that usually generate buzz.
Fast forward to this season, and Veilleux is rewriting the narrative. Through 22 games, he’s sitting at 21 points (five goals, 16 assists) - nearly a point-per-game pace.
That’s not just good for a freshman defenseman; that’s elite. He’s currently tied for second in scoring on his team and ranks 11th among all NCAA defensemen.
For a sixth-rounder, that’s serious value.
What’s been most impressive isn’t just the production - it’s how he’s doing it. Veilleux plays a mature, cerebral game.
He’s not the flashiest skater on the ice, but he’s almost always in the right position. He reads plays well, makes smart decisions under pressure, and has shown the ability to contribute on both ends of the ice.
He’s the kind of two-way defenseman that coaches trust in all situations.
The Islanders’ blue line pipeline is crowded - especially on the left side. With Matthew Schaefer, Adam Pelech, and Alexander Romanov all locked in for the foreseeable future, and prospects like Isaiah George, Marshall Warren, and Kashawn Aitcheson already in the mix, the path to the NHL won’t be easy for Veilleux. But that’s a good problem to have.
Because he’s in the NCAA, the Islanders don’t need to rush. They’ve got time to watch him develop, let him grow into his game, and decide when - or if - he’s ready to make the leap. But if he keeps trending the way he has this season, it’s going to be tough to ignore him for long.
Bottom line: Xavier Veilleux is quietly becoming one of the more intriguing names in the Islanders’ prospect pool. He may not have had the hype on draft day, but he’s earning it now - one smart play, one crisp breakout pass, and one ECAC accolade at a time.