Going the other way is an 11th-round pick, 182nd overall, in Saturday’s draft.
The Islanders drafted McKie in the fourth round of the 2013 draft from the Valley Wildcats in Nova Scotia.
He turned heads with his physical play during his first training camp with the Islanders, but skating was an issue.
“His improvement is gradual. It’s timing more than anything,” said Islanders general manager Grant Sonier. “We wanted to give him an opportunity and there wasn’t going to be one with us.”
He was projected behind guys the Islanders drafted in 2014 like Andrew Smith, David Comeau and Lucas Sangster.
McKie, 18, played 40 games with the Miramichi Timberwolves of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League this season after being traded by the Wildcats. The 18-year-old blue-liner had three goals, six assists and 96 penalty minutes.
“He’s a high quality, character kid that we just felt his development wasn't where it needed to be for the stage that our hockey club is at right now,” Sonier said.
Going the other way is an 11th-round pick, 182nd overall, in Saturday’s draft.
The Islanders drafted McKie in the fourth round of the 2013 draft from the Valley Wildcats in Nova Scotia.
He turned heads with his physical play during his first training camp with the Islanders, but skating was an issue.
“His improvement is gradual. It’s timing more than anything,” said Islanders general manager Grant Sonier. “We wanted to give him an opportunity and there wasn’t going to be one with us.”
He was projected behind guys the Islanders drafted in 2014 like Andrew Smith, David Comeau and Lucas Sangster.
McKie, 18, played 40 games with the Miramichi Timberwolves of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League this season after being traded by the Wildcats. The 18-year-old blue-liner had three goals, six assists and 96 penalty minutes.
“He’s a high quality, character kid that we just felt his development wasn't where it needed to be for the stage that our hockey club is at right now,” Sonier said.
