This morning, the New York Islanders announced the signing of another college free agent to an entry-level contract. They have signed 24-year-old forward Joey Larson from Michigan State to a one-year entry-level deal that will take effect at the beginning of the 2025-26 season.
Larson recently completed his third year of college hockey and has had a noteworthy NCAA career. In 111 games, he amassed 39 goals and 83 points. During his final season with the Spartans, he scored 10 goals and recorded 24 points in 37 games. Primarily playing as a second-line winger, Larson performed well in that position, helping the Spartans secure the second seed in the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Championship.
Standing 6’1″ and weighing 194 pounds, Larson possesses the physical characteristics typical of a professional hockey player. However, there is limited information available from scouting reports on him. At 24 years old, he is one of the more seasoned prospects entering the Islanders’ organization, sharing his age with Sam Bolduc, who has been in professional hockey since the 2020-21 season. As a result, Larson’s debut in the professional arena has come later than that of many of his contemporaries.
Larson’s contract won’t take effect until the 2025-26 season, meaning he won’t be able to play for the Islanders’ organization this year unless he signs an AHL contract for the remainder of the season.
Nonetheless, Larson is the third NCAA free agent brought in by Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello. The other two, Max Dorrington and Gleb Veremyev, are currently with the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders. Fans will have to wait to see what Larson will contribute.
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