Island players thriving as Americans

They are Canadians first and Islanders second, but they’re looking pretty good in the stars and stripes of the Tri-City Americans.

Jordan Topping of Salt Spring Island and Dylan Coghlan of Nanaimo are both in their second campaigns with the Western Hockey League club and both have fit in well, says general manager Bob Tory.

Topping, a six-foot-one, 200-pound winger, is second in team points with 15 goals and 19 assists in 38 games, following up on his rookie campaign in which he produced 10 goals and eight helpers in 56 appearances.

“Jordan’s had a really good season. Last year he came in as a rookie and found his way. He was in and out of the lineup, made adjustments in his game to try and solidify a spot,” said Tory. “He continued to get better and better in the second half.

“He plays a physical game, goes to the net and has good offensive skills. This year he’s responded, taking on a leadership role, and I couldn’t be happier for him. He was a late-round draft pick who came in and made our team and earned everything he’s got.”

Coghlan, a six-foot-three, 190-pound defenceman, is a stayat-home type with one goal and nine assists in 36 games this year after playing 55 games last season, collecting two goals and three assists.

“With Dylan, he made our team as a 16-year-old defenceman, which is very difficult in this league. We had even considered, at one point, sending him back, but we decided to keep him and he ended up becoming a regular on our rotation,” said Tory.

“Now he’s a top-four defenceman on our club, and as a 17-year-old, has done exceptionally well. They are two great kids and we’re happy to have them. They just continue to get better and both should get interest in this year’s draft, we’re hoping.”

Topping was selected in the eighth round of the 2012 WHL bantam draft, while Coghlan was chosen in the third round in 2013. Coghlan is a C-ranked player for the 2016 NHL entry draft.