ROBIN FIGREN SIGNS ON WITH ISLANDERS

courtesy newyorkislanders.com

Robin Figren

The New York Islanders have signed Swedish left wing prospect Robin Figren (pronounced FEE-grehn) to a three-year entry level contract. As the team’s third round selection in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, the 20-year old Figren has spent the last two seasons in the Western Hockey League and represented his native Sweden at the 2008 World Junior Championships. Figren will spend the 2008-09 season with Djurgardens of the Swedish Elite League before returning to North American to complete the last two years of the contract.

“We’ve seen Robin grow and develop into one of our top prospects over the past two seasons,” said Islanders General Manager Garth Snow. “He’ll spend a season in the Swedish Elite League, which is one of the top hockey leagues in the world, and as an organization we’re very comfortable with that. His development will only grow while playing with Djurgardens.”

Figren made a big impact on the hockey community this past winter while participating in the World Junior Championships. In six games, he scored five goals and added two assists for seven points for Sweden and scored one of the tournament’s most memorable goals in some time. (Click here to watch) With his strong effort, Figren helped Sweden capture the silver medal.

“Robin has played some of his best hockey at the most important times of games and seasons,” said Islanders Assistant General Manager and Director of Amateur Scouting Ryan Jankowski. "Two years ago he scored some key goals and helped Calgary make a very good run in the WHL playoffs. This past year at the World Juniors, he once again scored some key goals for Sweden and his play helped them win with their first medal in a few years.”

The 5-11, 176 pound native of Stockholm split his WHL junior career with the Calgary Hitmen and expansion Edmonton Oil Kings. Last season with Edmonton, Figren scored 18 goals with 13 assists for 31 points in 35 games. He missed time with a wrist injury at the beginning of the season. In 97 career WHL games, Figren scored 28 goals with 20 assists for 48 points and compiled 100 penalty minutes.

Figren also represented Sweden at the 2006 Under-18 World Junior Championships and scored three goals with two assists for five points in six games. Prior to coming to North America to further his hockey development, Figren was a prospect with Swedish Hockey League’s Vastra Frolunda, who was a perennial favorite at the time. Over the past two seasons, Figren has attended both Islanders summer rookie camps and training camps.

Live Blog Update on the WJC...and more!

Robin Figren has just scored for Sweden to tie up the game between the Tre Kronor and Russia. Figren has 5 goals in the tournament and has been getting talked up big by the TSN crew of Pierre Maguire and Gord Miller. Pierre even called him a steal for the Islanders in the third round. Seriously, he is one of those players who literally pop when you're watching them play. I like his hockey sense and wow id he good with the puck on his stick. The goal he just scored showed that he has excellent patience as he waited for the Russian goalie to go down before calmly taking a few extra strides before roofing it to tie the game.

Isles got out of the game last night with a point against the Panthers even though they lost in OT. Gotta admit that I missed the game. Demon flu still has got me by the shorties. Thank goodness for paid time-off and teenagers playing hockey in the middle of the day!

Bad news coming out of the game is that Ricky is facing a possible two-game suspension for using new goalie pads that had not been poked and prodded by the NHL suits. Sounds like a legit mistake as Rick figured the league had checked them before he even got them but of course, NHL Dean of Boys Colin Campbell will have to rule on it...but c'mon, we know it is gonna be two games. That's the rule.

Noon WJC update: The game is going to OT. Ten minutes of OT and then a shootout if necessary.

Mike Sillinger scored 3 points in his return from a bit of a lay-off. Silly got 5 full days off and that is a good move by Teddy to give some of the older dudes a rest when they can. Plus, you know, the hip flexor injury is kind of painful.

Speaking of injuries, former Islander Ryan Smyth has a broken ankle so he'll be missing the game tomorrow night when the Isles invade Colorado.

12:16: Pierre is in love with Figren's game. It's a full-on man crush.

12:19: Mikael Backlund scores in OT for Sweden. The Swedes are guaranteed their first WJC medal since 1996. Thanks Gord. Darryl Sutter has invented a new face for being excited. Picture the regular face any of the Sutters would make if you stole food off their dinner plate. Yep, that's the one. Backlund is Calgary property, by the way.

Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting that the NHL asked Rick DiPietro to change his pads during the first intermission of last night's 4-3 overtime loss to the Panthers at the Coliseum. DiPietro, as we know, played the first period in new white leg pads, then returned for the second period wearing his old orange and blue pads.

More to come if I feel like it!!

DiPietro & Martinek Updates; Okposo signed!

Greg Logan is reporting that the results of Rick's MRI showed that there was "no significant structural damage" to his left knee. We'll see if he plays tomorrow night vs. the Devils.

Also, Shawn Bates' season is over after two games. Bates had hip surgery before Christmas and is out for the year. First I had heard of the surgery, too. The Isles take the line Bill Belichick does with the Pats and don't offer much regarding injuries.

Radek Martinek is also listed as day-to-day (but aren't we all) and is rocking a walking cast on his right leg. I guess this means more lessons from Professor Witt for young master Bruno Gervais.

The big news today is that Kyle Okposo signed his entry-level contract and will be with the Isles at the end of the World Junior Championships. Okposo has, from all accounts, been playing well for the US team, with a goal and two assists. American teammate (and Islander prospect) Rhett Rakshani scored in the US opener and is playing on a line with Okposo.

Robin Figren of Sweden has 3 goals and an assist for four points. Sweden faces tournament overlord Canada tomorrow at 1:30 eastern time. Check out his freakish goal below.

Isles' prospect Robin Figren at the WJC