You don't often hear about 26-year-old rookies in the NHL, but Cole Bardreau's story to the NHL is anything but ordinary.
A call-up to the Islanders in October, the Fairport, New York product is living the dream playing in his home state of New York following parts of six seasons in the AHL before finally making it to the big leagues.
Bardreau scored his first NHL goal on Tuesday night on a penalty shot in the Islanders' 4-1 over the Sens.
It was a special moment for the rookie that surely make any hockey fan smile. Scoring your first goal is a dream come true for any player, but for Badreau, it had all the more meaning. An undrafted player, Badreau never had the chance to fully showcase his talent and sign as a college free agent out of school. Back in university when he played at Cornell, Bardreau suffered a broken neck and was forced to spend three months in a brace before rehabbing for an additional three months.
Following five years with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Philadelphia Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Islanders signed him to a two-year contract with the club on July 1st."
Seven games into his NHL career, he was hauled down on a breakaway. The ref pointed to centre-ice, awarding him a penalty shot. With the game tied 1-1, Bardreau showed no sign of nerves, beating Anderson with a wrist shot. You can watch the goal here.
What a way to score your first NHL goal, after an excruciating journey. He worked his behind off to get to the NHL, and it's great to see him get rewarded.
You know he'll never forget that one.
No. 34 in your programs, but No.1 in the "feel-good" hockey stories of the night. The Islanders won 4-1 for their 10th straight win in a row.
