Islanders sign Jack Hillen

New York Islander Fan Central | 4/01/2008 03:07:00 PM | | |






















Islanders website: Announced the signing of defenseman Jack Hillen who just completed four years at Colorado College by being named defenseman of the Year in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association in 2007-08. Garth Snow and Jack Hillen both comment on the signing. In 41 games this season with Colorado College, the 5-11 200-pound native of Minnesota had six goals and 31 assists for a Division I-leading 37 points among defensemen.

He will join the Islanders for practice on Wednesday and could make his NHL debut later this week.

Inside College Hockey: Jess Myers has a full interview from March 19th with Hillen.

Espn.com: Notes Hillen was eligible to be drafted in 2004 when he played for Holy Angels. (USHSW)

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Any signing that can help the defensive prospect depth is a good one for this organization and obviously this is a player who many teams were interested in signing. Dustin Kohn is a second rounder in his first AHL season, Blake Kessel has had a good year, Mark Katic is a promising pick. Andy McDonald, Shane Simms, Tyrell Mason, Simon Lacroix, Emile Axelsson and Alexei Stonkus round out the defensive depth chart.

Isles go into this summer with Witt, Martinek, Campoli, Sutton and Freddy Meyer signed and Bruno Gervais a restricted free agent along with Aaron Johnson who played with Hillen. Columbus did not qualify Johnson but if Isles do so he will be restricted.