Alumni In the Pros - June 2009

[cbuckser]

The Devils traded Tony Romano to the Islanders for Ben Walter (UMAss-Lowell) and a conditional 2012 draft pick.

[plrd78]

After a great year in the OHL with multiple awards, the NY Islanders are signing Romano to a 3 year entry level NHL contract. Romano was born and raised on LI, so this has got to be a dream come true. They traded for Ben Walter this afternoon. Good Luck Tony,  you were always fun to watch at Lynah. I guess your early departure from our beloved Big Red, is paying off for you.   Congrats......

[Trotsky]

He may be an ass, but he's our ass.  Stand up and shout it: go Nystrom and Howatt.  And Romano.

[cbuckser]

Having a great 20-year-old season in the OHL doesn't mean that he made the right decision to leave college.  If I recall correctly, major-junior teams are limited to two overage players.  So, a 20-year-old offensive player should get more than a point per game in the OHL.

As an Islanders fan from Smithtown, NY, I'd love to see him have a successful professional career.  I'm skeptical, though.

For those who have seen him play in the OHL for London or Peterborough, I'd like to know if he has become a better team player on the ice.  Is he still trying 1-on-5 rushes?  Has he learned to use his linemates effectively?  Has he become an asset in the defensive zone?

I'd hope that the Islanders would not have traded for him and would not sign him if he was not a viable prospect.  His skill level is tremendous, and I hope he puts it to good use.

***

Could this thread be folded into the Alumni in the Pros thread, where this trade was first reported on the forum?

[Trotsky]

[quote cbuckser]I'd hope that the Islanders would not have traded for him and would not sign him if he was not a viable prospect.[/quote]

To stay an Islander fan is the triumph of hope over experience.