Islanders Sign Vladimir Dravecky To Entry-Level Contract

The New York Islanders have signed 2026 fifth-round pick Vladimir Dravecky to his entry-level contract. Dravecky is currently assigned to the OHL’s Guelph Storm, allowing the first year of his deal to slide to next season.

This move will secure one of the better puck-moving defensemen from the 2026 draft class. Dravecky racked up nine goals and 28 points behind a star-studded Brantford Bulldogs lineup last season. He rotated between the second and third pair while supporting forwards like Jake O’Brien, Caleb Malhotra, Marek Vanacker, and Adam Benak. That cast of scorers headlined a team with 13 NHL draft picks, including the 2026 class.

Dravecky also appeared at the 2026 World Junior Championships with Team Czechia. He managed no scoring through seven games but did record five assists in 12 international friendlies with Czechia. He also has seven points in four friendlies with Czechia’s U20 team this season.

Dravecky’s international career has been an interesting one. Originally born in New Hampshire, USA – the defender began his international career with Team Slovakia’s U17 team, while playing for Slovakia’s junior team in the country’s U20 league. He made his pro debut in Slovakia’s top league at the age of 15, then shifted to Sweden where he made his SHL debut at the age of 16. As part of that move, Dravecky also changed his nationality to Czechia – a shift that was allowed because he hadn’t appeared with Slovakia in an IIHF-sanctioned event. He crossed that line at the World U18 Championships, committing him to Czechia for all international tournaments despite technically having eligibility for Team USA as well.

Through a young career that has spanned four countries, Dravecky has stood out as a versatile, two-way defender. He supports the rush on both sides of the puck and improved his ability to play physically over the course of the 2025-26 season. Those improvements are shining through early this year – with Dravecky boasting four points in four games with Guelph after a summer trade. A move to the Storm provides Dravecky with the chance to move into a top-defender role, after a year buried on Brantford’s lineup. That promotion, and his first NHL contract, could be enough to fuel a breakout season at the age of 18.

Dravecky is notably one of only a few right-defenders in an Islanders’ depth chart full of left-defenders. A breakout season could earn him quick favor in the Islanders’ system after a strong performance at his first NHL development and training camp.