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# 26 - Kyle Okposo
Kyle Okposo is back for his second New York Islanders Mini-Camp. This year he is armed with the experience of a year of college hockey under his belt. Okposo averaged a point a game with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, a team with four NHL first round draft picks.

"My average was nice but I wasn't too happy with my play down the stretch in the second half," Okposo said. "I needed to play better defensively to help create the turnovers and chances going the other way."

So that's where Mini-Camp is coming in handy where Okposo is able to work with the Islanders' coaching staff. After today's on-ice training, Okposo and the rest of the centers at the camp were directed to go to IceWorks' second rink where Islander legend, Bryan Trottier was waiting to go over face-offs. He lined up against Trottier and before he could see the puck drop, Trottier had won it back.

"I look forward to this camp because it allows me the chance to compete against the top prospects in the organization, but to then learn from Hall of Fame players like Trottier, really blows you away," Okposo said. "He gives you pointers about the littlest things in the game but when you execute them on the ice them work.

If Trottier turns Okposo's head, he is turning the heads of his teammates with the incredible goals he has been scoring here at camp. When Frans Nielsen saw Okposo, his line-mate during camp along with Sean Bentivoglio, score the incredible goal in the first day's shootout, he turned to Sound Tigers assistant coach Bernie Cassell and said, "Bern, did you see that move? We need to work on that this year in practice."

Okposo said of the goal, "I enjoy watching Pavel Datsyuk, forward for the Detroit Red Wings, because his hands are just so smooth but quick at the same time. Hopefully the goalies here did not really catch what I did because I play against one of them in college."

As Okposo returns for another year with the Gophers, he hopes to improve his mental toughness and quickness so that when the time comes he is ready to play in the NHL.

Funny Moment at Camp
While Okposo and Trottier were working on face-offs on one end of the ice, Mike Mole challenged Jeff Tambellini to a quick shootout before their group started their session on the big rink. Tambellini found his spot to shoot and scored two or three shots past Mole's low stick side. As the two walked off the ice for their main session, Tambellini joked, "Molezy, it's just too quick for you, what can I say, it's unstoppable."

Extra Curricular Activities
After their individual meetings with the coaching staff this afternoon, the players will head to Long Beach, NY for a few rounds of mini-golf and time to walk around the boardwalk.

Who is Impressing
The Islanders third pick in this year's draft, Maxime Gratchev, has been a work horse throughout the on and off ice sessions. His quickness and shooting abilities are a positive sign for the future of the organization.

View from the Stands
Long Island residents filed into IceWorks to see the top prospects in the organization. The excitement of high level hockey will really kick off this weekend with the two groups beginning their scrimmages at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday and 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. Check out Islanders TV to hear "Sounds of the Game" from Sound Tigers Tambellini, Blake Comeau, Jason Pitton and more. It's free, just log onto newyorkislanders.com and click on the Islanders TV logo to watch it all.

What questions do you have or the players? Email me at kimber@sountigers.com