Former C.C. Star Jack Hillen impressing Islanders...

This is one player that I was always impressed with and it wouldn't surprise me one bit if he was playing in the NHL. I think we can expect to see Hillen in an Islanders jersey soon. It doesn't hurt if the head coach likes your style of play.

Hillen's hockey smarts could land a job with Isles
BY GREG LOGAN | September 18, 2008
No. 1 draft pick Josh Bailey might have been the center of attention for the Islanders' rookie camp this week, but the rookie with the best chance to make the NHL roster or at least position himself for an early callup from Bridgeport is defenseman Jack Hillen. His play in the back-to-back set against the Rangers at the end of last season and his sharpness this week prove Hillen has the maturity and smarts to get ahead quickly.

General manager Garth Snow said signing Hillen after a four-year career at Colorado College is like getting a "late first-round pick." New coach Scott Gordon liked what he saw on tape of Hillen against the Rangers, and said he has been a quick study in camp.

As a mobile, puck-moving defenseman with an ability to join the rush, Hillen's playing style fits beautifully with what Gordon wants to do. The Islanders have seven defensemen with one-way deals at the NHL level, but while Hillen might benefit from seasoning against older players at Bridgeport, Gordon said the opportunity is there to make the Islanders for anyone who shows he belongs.

"He can skate, and he's already shown to me that he's got a really good head for the game," Gordon said. "I think for him to come in last year as a college player and be able to play as well as he did in those two games says a lot about his head for the game."