Aatu Raty Talks Islanders Hockey Earlier than Dealing with His Outdated Membership For First Time Since Being Half Of Bo Horvat Commerce

VANCOUVER —  On Jan. 30, 2023, the New York Islanders traded high prospect Aatu Raty, Anthony Beauvillier, and a conditional 2023 first-round choose to the Vancouver Canucks for his or her captain Bo Horvat.

On Thursday night time, Räty will play towards the Islanders for the primary time.

After Canucks morning skate, we had the possibility to meet up with the previous Islanders prospect to get his ideas on the commerce, his profession, and enjoying towards the crew that gave him his begin.

Let’s begin with the commerce.

“Actually, I had no thought. I really feel prefer it’s one thing that if you have not been traded, you are feeling prefer it’s not gonna occur,” Räty stated. “It’s not like I take a look at the rumors, however I do not assume individuals massively talked about me getting traded. None of my associates had been saying something about that or something. So it was positively a shock. I wasn’t on my cellphone, like, I wasn’t within the room with my cellphone. So I believe I came upon three hours later.”

Not solely is Thursday night time Räty’s first recreation towards the Islanders, however it’s additionally his twenty second birthday.

“Being my birthday, too, and enjoying my previous crew, this recreation was positively marked on my calendar,” Raty stated. “I at all times discover it enjoyable to play groups the place you understand the gamers personally too and know their recreation. I am simply actually excited. I do not know. It would really feel a little bit bizarre, hopefully, however it’s been so lengthy.

“I do not assume I’ll really feel like their jerseys are ours. If I make a foul go, I would blame it on that, however it should not be an issue.”

On Dec. 23, 2022, 19-year-old Räty made his NHL debut, scoring towards the Florida Panthers in a 5-1 win:

Räty added his second profession aim towards the Canucks on Jan. 3, a 6-2 win.

Räty solely performed 12 NHL video games with the Islanders, having simply these two objectives.

In 29 video games with Bridgeport, enjoying two on the finish of the 2021-22 season, Räty recorded 15 factors (seven objectives, eight assists), including a aim and three assists in six playoff video games.

“I liked being there, enjoying my first NHL video games, and having my dad and mom there. Every little thing was simply simply unbelievable,” Räty stated. “I had a good time with Bridgeport and the Islanders, after which enjoying that one playoff with Bridgeport, it was nice. First time in North America, so I really feel like [my time in the Islanders organization] gave me so much, and I discovered so much from there.”

After the Islander made the commerce, the previous second-round choose (No. 52) performed three video games with the Canucks earlier than being despatched to Abbotsford of the American Hockey League.

He by no means noticed NHL motion throughout the 2023-24 season, scoring 18 objectives with 34 assists for 52 factors in 72 video games earlier than scoring 4 factors (two objectives, two assists) in 5 Calder Cup playoff video games.

He shared that enjoying within the AHL final season was enormous for his growth.

“I believe my recreation has positively grown [since joining the Canucks organization]. I am nonetheless engaged on the identical issues, skating and making an attempt to turn out to be a very good, full participant, however I believe that, particularly in the summertime, I felt like I made some good jumps with skating, and I believe final 12 months within the minors was good to develop my recreation and prepare for this.

“I really feel like my recreation has developed, however I am not gonna be glad now. So I believe each single day, I am simply making an attempt to try to simply get higher, and I believe that is the best way to go about it.”

Up to now in 2024-25, Räty has only one help in seven video games, centering the membership’s fourth line.

The final time the Islanders had been in Vancouver, Räty was in Abbotsford.

“He is a very good participant. He is nonetheless younger. He is nonetheless obtained a lot ceiling,” Horvat stated when requested if he had been retaining tabs on the most important piece the Islanders gave up for him. “I am wanting ahead to seeing him.”

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