Ex-Islanders GM reveals right when he knew that he had made a mistake in drafting Josh Ho-Sang
When the New York Islanders decided to select Josh Ho-Sang with the 28th pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, the prevailing thought was that the Isles were getting a potential top-5 talent, but that they'd have to work with him on his attitude if he ever wanted to play in the NHL.
Ho-Sang had a tremendous amount of skill, but couldn't seem to get out of his own way in terms of his off-ice behaviour, his mouth getting him into trouble and, overall, just really not taking things seriously enough. He believed he'd be a star and that his behaviour wouldn't matter because he was such a good player. He was wrong.
Former Islanders GM Garth Snow was on the Cam and Strik podcast recently and revealed the thought process for drafting Ho-Sang:
"I was the only one on my staff that wanted him at 28," said Snow "I was the only one on my staff that said, 'Alright, we're drafting this guy.' And they all looked at me like, what are you doing? ... They were right."
"He had top five talent. It was more of a homerun swing that didn't pan out"
"He had top five talent. It was more of a homerun swing that didn't pan out"
Snow was asked the question "when did you know that drafting Ho-Sang was a mistake?" His answer revealed more than just the sum of the words. It revealed that he knew right then and there that Ho-Sang's NHL career was over before it started.
"Day one of training camp when he showed up late, I made him run every stair in the colosseum and sent him back to his junior team."
Obviously, Ho-Sang had his chances. He was up and down with the Islanders a few times before eventually venturing off to Sweden - an experience that Ho-Sang admitted had helped to humble him. He also had a shot a couple of seasons ago on a PTO with the Leafs, eventually signing an AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies and playing in the Beijing Olympics in 2022 before heading to the KHL last season.
Ho-Sang announced his retirement from pro hockey earlier this year, an unfortunate early end to what should have been a very promising career. There's a lesson here, kids. No matter how good you think you are, your attitude will take you further than your talent.
| POLL | ||
Which Islanders' draft mistake is the worst? | ||
| Griffin Reinhart (4th 2012) | 36 | 32.4 % |
| Michael Dal Colle (5th 2014) | 19 | 17.1 % |
| Robert Nilsson (15th 2003) | 16 | 14.4 % |
| Josh Ho-Sang (28th in 2014) | 40 | 36 % |
| List of polls | ||
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