Islanders Rookie Josh Bailey

By Adam Cohen

Here's a story I did at rookie camp last season.

One of the biggest controversies on Long Island last summer was the selection of Joshua Bailey at the number nine spot after trading down twice from number 5. Most Islanders fans were hoping for a splashy pick at number 5, instead they got a carefully devised plan from Garth Snow. Since fans are rarely clued into what their team’s general manager is thinking, they only two possible responses. They can either create an uproar or go along with the ride. This writer chose to go along with the ride and trust the people in charge for the first time in a long time.

Josh Bailey, a 6’1" two-way playmaking center from Bowmanville, Ont., who played for the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL. After amassing 96 points (29 goals, 67 assists) in 67 games that season, Josh shot to the top 15 in the draft ranking for 2008. Much of his success came after the unfortunate passing of Windsor captain Mickey Renaud late in the season. Josh was looked to to hold the team together a lead them towards the playoffs. And that he did. The Islanders were one of two teams to bring him in for an interview prior to the draft which surprised Josh since the Islanders were picking 5^th and he was not being ranked that high. However, Garth Snow and the Islanders had other thoughts. And, thus the controversial pick.

I had a chance to speak with Josh at Rookie camp last season.

Bailey said he likes the fact that the practices focus on skills and system. "You have to play it the way he (Scott Gordon) wants it. And the way [Gordon] plays it, I really like." Bailey said the system focuses on offence, speed and creativity. It fits right into his game.

I asked Bailey how it compares to practice in Windsor. "Practices are different wherever you go," Bailey said. All the coaches he has played under are very strict with their systems. Having this background has helped him to get acclimated to different systems quickly. Bailey said he has had great coaches from Bantam through Junior that have shown him that hockey is not about run-and-gun on your own but having a commitment to the system the coach designs. "Having that same style [on Long Island] is very nice."

Regarding Ken Morrow and Bryan Trottier, who helped run the rookie practices over the summer, Bailey said they have a reason behind everything they tell you. "They never just come up and say random things. If they have something to say, they say it; if not they pat you on the back."

Bailey’s draft page on NHL.com had a quote from him saying the fact that he looks to pass more often than shooting has gotten him into trouble. I asked him if one of his goals is to try and shoot more. "I think I am always going to be more of a passer than a shooter," said Bailey, “but I need to be more of a shooter at times to open up more passing opportunities for me." Since many of his opponents know he likes to pass, they are starting to take away his passing lanes more often. "If I start to shoot more, the passing opportunities will start opening up again."