As New York Islanders fans, it’s always tough to see potential prospects slip away, especially when the team doesn’t come to terms with a player they’ve drafted. That’s precisely what happened with Justin Gill, the 22-year-old forward selected in the 5th round (145th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft.

Gill, a dynamic offensive player who had a breakout season with the Sherbrooke Phoenix in the QMJHL, seemed like a promising prospect. He posted an impressive 93 points (44 goals, 49 assists) in 68 games, and followed it up with an even better season with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, recording a career-high 98 points (40 goals, 58 assists) and finishing with the best plus/minus in the league (+57). It seemed like the Islanders had found a real gem late in the draft.

In his first full professional season, Gill impressed with 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) in 23 games with the Railers. Before his time in Worcester, he had a brief stint in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Bridgeport Islanders. However, despite his success, the Islanders chose not to sign Gill to an entry-level contract before the June 1st deadline.

This week, Cincinnati Cyclones, ECHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs, signed Gill. Cyclones Head Coach Riley Weselowski expressed excitement over the signing, highlighting Gill’s status as one of the top-scoring threats in the ECHL. “Having Justin on board early in the offseason is a great start to our summer and should definitely get the fans excited,” said Weselowski. “He instantly provides our lineup as one of the top-scoring threats in the ECHL and at just 22 years old, he is still very much an NHL prospect. A 200-foot player with a high compete level and a will to win, Justin is one of those players who shows up when games matter the most.”

Time will tell when not signing Gill becomes a decision that the Islanders regret, or if it was the right thing to let him pursue other professional opportunities and let other players in the system develop.