Laurila is American, not Finnish, despite the surname. He completed his freshman year at North Dakota with 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in 36 games, a modest line that underrepresents his impact. The offensive breakout came the year prior with the Fargo Force in the USHL (41 points in 57 games as an overage finalist for USHL Defenseman of the Year). EP’s draft guide highlights his puck moving instincts: he jumps into the play constantly, leads rushes, and looks for slot passes rather than forcing low-percentage shots from the point. At 6-0, 184 pounds, he is a right-shot defenseman with strong lateral skating and hockey sense. The Islanders took him at 138th overall in 2025 after he went undrafted in 2024, and the development camp reports from Long Island were positive. The NCAA path gives him two or three more years before a pro decision. Fantasy relevance is minimal. He projects as a depth puck-mover with second or third-pair upside if the offensive instincts continue to develop.

Laurila is a smooth-skating, right-shot defenseman known for his hockey sense and poise under pressure. Though not physically dominant, he makes smart decisions with the puck and plays a mature, positionally sound game. Laurila’s ceiling is as a puck-moving, second-pair defenseman if his offensive instincts continue to blossom. More likely, he’ll settle into a depth role with strong transition value.

Selected 138th overall, Sam Laurila is now a member of the New York Islanders.

After heading home undrafted in 2024, Laurila took a big step forward for the Fargo Force of the USHL. He scored eight goals and added 33 assists for 41 points and tacked on 46 penalty minutes in 57 games. His hallmark is his defensive ability, but it appears that he has worked on adding another tool to his toolbox. This should see him head home wearing a jersey, perhaps on day two, of the draft this year.