Every hockey player dreams of winning a Stanley Cup. There are few things that allow someone to experience eternal glory, but a championship in the National Hockey League (NHL) does. Noah Dobson knows this.
The nineteen-year-old defenseman has prepared for this moment his entire life, and after two years of junior hockey, his dreams can finally come true. But first, Dobson must make the New York Islanders.
“I have set myself up the best I could and have put in the work this summer,” Dobson said. “I have more confidence and comfort compared to last year and I am looking forward to giving it a shot.”
Dobson was the anchor on two consecutive Memorial Cup winning teams, cementing himself in junior hockey lore. Last season, he notched 36 points in 28 games following a trade from Acadie-Bathurst to Rouyn-Noranda on Jan. 6. 
His success did not end there. Dobson was named most valuable player of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoffs after tallying 29 points in 20 contests.
“It was a great season,” Dobson said. “I was fortunate to win one championship, but now I have two. I have developed lots of memories that will last a lifetime.”
Dobson has already made history at the junior level. Now, he will attempt to use his experiences to earn a spot in the NHL. 
However, that is easier said than done. On the backend, the Islanders have 10 defensemen with NHL experience. Head coach Barry Trotz will need to decide if he should add Dobson to a group that allowed the least goals in hockey last season.
“I am not focused on anyone but me,” Dobson said. “I have watched a lot of games and have seen how good this unit is. As a young guy, I look at it as a learning experience. I am just trying to focus on learning as much as I can and do whatever I can to be a member of the core this season.”
Dobson has earned the respect of those close to him. In Rouyn-Noranda, he played with fellow Islanders prospect Félix Bibeau, winning a championship together. Bibeau knows more about Dobson than most, and as expected, had nothing but positive to say about the budding talent.
“He is a machine out there,” Bibeau said. “He plays in every situation and is the best skater I have ever played with. You can always count on him in the big moments. He was just a beast and will be on the Islanders real soon.”
Since Dobson is 19-years-old, he is ineligible to play at the American Hockey League level. That means it is NHL or bust for the prospect, making the next few weeks that much more important.
The Islanders have a difficult decision to make with their top young talent. With the regular season just around the corner and a brutal 82-game slate awaiting, this means everything.

David Lazar