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Last summer, at Islanders’ Training Camp, we sat down with Islanders’ captain Bill Guerin to talk about his expectations coming into the season. Guerin took some time to talk to us about last season and his expectations for the several players that have worked their way up from the Sound Tigers to the Islanders.

Guerin himself spent a brief time in the AHL with the Utica Devils who, at the time were the New Jersey Devils’ affiliate. He spoke of the importance of a strong AHL and ECHL foundation and how it is imperative in building and leading to a successful team at the NHL level.

Talk about your experience in playing in the AHL with the Utica Devils who at the time were the AHL affiliate for the New Jersey Devils.

I met and played with a lot of really good guys who helped me to break into the pro style of life both on and off the ice. It was a really good experience. Looking back now, I am glad I played in the minors because it really makes you appreciate what you have once you get up to the NHL level.

Who were some of the players who helped your adjustment from playing at Boston College to the pro level?

There were guys that were older like Jamie Huscroft and Bill Huard but then we also had such a great group of guys who were my age that made the transition smoother. I had a lot of great experiences with guys like Jim Dowd and Ben Hankinson because we were the same age and were able to go through the pro level experiences together.

How important is it to have a strong minor league system to succeed at the NHL level?

The stronger we are in Bridgeport, the more prepared we are going to be at the NHL level. It is extremely important for both the NHL and AHL teams to be on the same page. To be playing the same systems, have the same values and goals is really important to make the transition for the guys who do come up that much easier.

Compare your game to Blake Comeau’s and talk about the impact he had on the Islanders last season when he was called up.

It’s strange because some guys are better players in the NHL then they are in the American League and for him that was the case. I think it is just the different styles of the leagues and with his type of play, he will be a really good player in this league for a long time.

How do you see Jeff Tambellini fitting in with the Islanders this season?

I think Jeff is going to do fine. He just needs to play in the same positions and roles that he did with the Sound Tigers up at the NHL level. He was with the Islanders for about 30-35 games last season but he wasn’t in those power-play and shooting positions that he needs to be in to succeed and once he gets those opportunities I think he is going to do great.

Frans Nielsen will be another player joining the big club this season, what about his play has impressed you from his time up with the Islanders last season?

Frans is just a smart player at at all aspects of the game. I know he put up a lot of numbers in the AHL but up here the thing that really impresses me about him is his defensive play. He is a very heads up player who is in great position all the time on the ice.

Talk about Kyle Okposo’s journey last season, which eventually had him up and playing for the Islanders for the final nine games of last season.

They are all huge steps and for him to handle all of those steps within one year is very impressive. He is a talented, big guy who can take the pounding of the 82 NHL game schedule and we are expecting big things from him.

One more Day: Tonight the Islanders will play their final preseason game of the Moncton Training Camp schedule against the Florida Panthers at the Credit Union Arena in Summerside, P.E.I. The players who are dressing will board a bus to P.E.I. at 2:45 while the others will attend the game to sign autographs and take pictures with the local people of Summerside.

Center of Attention: The Islanders’ top line tonight will feature Jon Sim and Kyle Okposo centered by Kurtis McLean. Sim and Okposo played in the game on Tuesday against the Bruins but were centered by Doug Weight. Tonight McLean will be taking the draws in between the two returning NHL skaters.

J. Mac: Joey MacDonald will start in tonight’s contest against the Florida Panthers. MacDonald split the game with Yann Danis on Tuesday versus the Bruins but will play the whole game tonight.