The New York Islanders have another top overall pick in their system – sort of.
Tomas Poletin, 18, the team’s fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, was chosen first overall in the 2025 CHL Import Draft by the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL). What’s the CHL Import Draft? It’s an annual event where every team in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) can select the rights to eligible import players. An “import” is classified as a player who does not have residency status in either Canada or the United States.
The Prague-born forward, listed at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, spent last season with Finland’s Pelicans team, where he posted 13 goals and 20 points in 25 games for their U20 squad. He also saw 15 games of action at the professional level between the Liiga and Champions Hockey League.
Internationally, Poletin captained Czechia’s under-18 team at the IIHF World Championship and later helped secure silver at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with three goals and an assist. Most recently, he was named to Czechia’s roster for the Under-20 Five Nations Tournament later this month.
For Islanders fans, Poletin’s move to North America is a key storyline. Drafted 106th overall, he brings a powerful shot and physical edge that scouts believe could eventually translate into a top-six NHL role. By joining Kelowna, he’ll gain valuable experience adapting to the smaller North American ice surface, an adjustment that has proven essential for European prospects making the NHL leap.
The Islanders’ prospect pipeline has gained attention, and Poletin’s development could add to it and lead to scoring depth down the road. His progress with Kelowna will be closely monitored as he looks to showcase the kind of offensive upside the Islanders envisioned when drafting him.
Poletin is expected to join the Rockets following Islanders training camp and will be in the lineup for their Sept. 19 home opener against Spokane.