NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Islanders on Wednesday signed forward Cole Eiserman to a three-year entry level contract, getting one of their most NHL-ready prospects in the fold for the near future.
Eiserman's contract begins next season and runs through 2028-29. He is expected to report to Bridgeport of the American Hockey League for the rest of this season on a tryout agreement and would then be set to audition for a spot with the big club in training camp in September.
The 20th pick in the 2024 draft, Eiserman is the career goal-scoring leader at the U.S. National Team Development Program with 127 in 119 games. His 193 points at the program are the second-most behind only Milan Olympic golden goal-scorer Jack Hughes, the 2019 No. 1 pick who's already the first-line center for the New Jersey Devils.
Eiserman, who turns 20 on Aug. 29, just finished his second college hockey season at Boston University. He had 64 points in 71 NCAA games.
The Newburyport, Massachusetts, native has helped the U.S. win gold at the under-20 (world juniors), under-18, and under-17 world championships.
New York on Tuesday signed defense prospect Kashawn Aitcheson, a 2025 first-round pick, to his entry-level contract. Aitcheson, because he turns 20 on Sept. 21, is eligible to play in the AHL next season.
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FILE - United States forward Cole Eiserman (34) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship quarterfinals game against Finland, Jan. 2, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, File)
FILE - Cole Eiserman heads to the podium after being selected by the New York Islanders during the first round of the NHL hockey draft, June 28, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus, File)
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts signed two more free agents Wednesday, reuniting linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and adding Nick Westbrook-Ikhine to the team's receiving group.
Terms of the deals were not immediately available.
The Colts have been busy in the secondary free agent market, signing eight free agents since Monday while also re-signing free agent tight end Mo Alie-Cox.
Davis-Gaither has played in 88 games over six seasons and could compete for a starting job in a linebacking group that has been thinned by the trade of Zaire Franklin and the loss of Segun Olubi in free agency.
Davis-Gaither spent his first five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals where he worked with Anarumo before moving to Arizona last season and posting the best stats of his career.
“I have a relationship with him, I trust him, I trust his system, I trust in his ability to call a good defense, so I mean, it made it easy to want to be here, play under his play-calling,” Davis-Gaither said. "Then just the organization, the owners have a great history. I've heard a lot of great things about the organization from former players and current players. It was a no-brainer.”
He started a career-high 13 games and finished with 117 tackles, two for loss, with five passes defensed. He also had one interception, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble.
Davis-Gaither has 321 tackles, nine for loss, with 16 passes defensed, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and a half sack in his career. The Bengals drafted him in the fourth round of the 2020 draft. He's expected to compete for a starting job.
Westbrook-Ikhine grew up in Indianapolis and attended Indiana University before making the Tennessee Titans roster as an undrafted free agent in 2020. The Colts think he can help fill the void left by Michael Pittman Jr., who was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers to clear salary cap room after Alec Pierce signed a four-year, $116 million contract extension.
Westbrook-Ikhine signed with the Miami Dolphins last season where he had 11 catches for 89 yards in 15 games. In five seasons with the Titans, he had 126 catches, 1,773 yards and 19 TDs, including several big games against his hometown team. He's also eager to get to work with recently re-signed quarterback Daniel Jones.
“It’s a team I’ve always been a fan of just being at IU and growing up watching Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison,” Westbrook-Ikhine said. "I’ve kind of always been a fan of the team, but then just the season they had last year, I can see what they’re building. It just worked out. It was definitely — going into free agency this year I told my agent, ‘Look, if Indy is an option, I’d love to be there.’”
Indy's other signings this week were defensive tackle Jerry Tillery, tight end Carson Towt, safeties Juanyeh Thomas and Jonathan Owens, the husband of Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles, and cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, who also played previously for Anarumo in Cincinnati.
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FILE - Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (18) runs onto the field during player introductions before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Nov. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray, File)
FILE - Arizona Cardinals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither looks on before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Nov. 23, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Samantha Chow, File)
