Year 18, Day 1: Monday notes

Camp Day 1 is in the books, a hard-working day for a group of 14 forwards, nine defensemen and two goalies — which will change tomorrow.

“Very happy with the first day,” Brent Thompson said. “Obviously establishing that we’re a hard-working team. Guys are going to commit to the process. With the core guys coming back, it’s a step in the right direction.”

The group included four tryouts on Worcester Railers contracts, forwards Woody Hudson, Dylan Willick and Nick Sorkin and defenseman Tommy Panico. It also included defenseman Chris Casto, who turns out to be on an AHL contract. Casto is an AHL veteran, but with 306 AHL games, he qualifies as that one vet a night with under 320 games, which teams can use as an exemption. Didn’t catch up with him today; will try tomorrow.

The Big Club sent eight guys to Bridgeport just as the Sound Tigers were stepping onto the ice, and then at noon, five more went on waivers. Assuming they send down those waived, that leaves the Islanders with, at least by our count, 18 forwards (including the injured John Stevens and Matt Lorito), nine defensemen and two goalies (not including the rehabbing Linus Soderstrom).

Stephen Gionta remains with the Islanders on a tryout. His brother, Brian, announced his retirement this morning.

Michael Fornabaio