New York Islanders: NHL Rookie Sensation Nino Niederreiter Has Finally Arrived

Nino Niederreiter came into the league last season with little expectation as an 18-year-old. In fact, the Swiss-born rookie was the youngest player to play, not only in the NHL last season, but in the history of the New York Islanders organization. And when he scored his first NHL goal on October 13th, 2010 last season, he became the youngest Islander to ever score a goal. Through those nine games at the beginning of the season, Niederreiter would go on to tally an assist and 16 hits. 

"El Nino" was sent back to his WHL club, the Portland Winterhawks, to hone his game and develop physically.

Set to start the season with the big boys, Niederreiter started in his first 2011 preseason game alongside John Tavares and Matt Moulson, which illustrates how highly the Isles think of this young gun. Unfortunately, Niederreiter suffered a groin injury that would keep him out of the first 14 games of the season. But, as of Tuesday night, he is now back in action in an Isles sweater, set to help turn this struggling club around, which, mind you, is no easy task.

In his debut, which head coach Jack Capuano and crew certainly kept a watchful eye over, Niederreiter logged 11 minutes of ice time, along with some power play time, four hits, and a shot on goal. For a young rookie looking to find his groove, that's about all you could ask for.

As he gets into a few more games in the coming week, look for the 2010 5th overall draft pick to make his mark in the league. His six-foot-two, 201-pound frame will provide a very skilled and big body to the Islanders' offensive forecheck, one that will certainly make defenders' lives tough, especially around the net. Given the Islanders' current last-place position in the Eastern Conference, Niederreiter will no doubt be given every opportunity to shine, including power-play time, which he already saw in his debut.

The Isles host the Montreal Canadiens tonight at home on Long Island. It will be interesting to watch, not only how Capuano decides to utilize Niederreiter, but also how he performs in his second game. Again, not much is expected, but hopefully we'll see him take bigger strides.