Healy was traded to the New York Islanders for future considerations. He will become an unrestricted free agent unless he signs a deal with New York before Aug. 15, 2026.

Healey’s third year in the NCAA was a step back offensively, going from nine goals and 13 assists in 29 games to four goals and nine assists in 33 in 2024-2025. As players age through collegiate hockey, and become in the larger and older members of the cohort, one would expect that age and experience to allow them to grow their game. A positive to take from the year is the fact that Healey was a minus 26 two seasons ago, and managed just a minus four last season. We’ve seen no shortage of offensively talented defensemen flame out at the NHL level due to bad defensive habits. If Healey can hone his offensive talent, and build a defensive floor, he has a shot to be relevant at the NHL level. At present, the likelihood of that is anyone’s guess.

Healey is a recent fourth round pick from the 2022 NHL Draft after playing for the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL. In the 2022-23 season, he played his first season as a rookie for Harvard University putting up eight points in 34 games. Healey projects as a puck-moving defender and can one-day become an NHL player, but will need to work on translating his offence to higher levels. Healey will continue to play in the NCAA for the next couple years before he is ready to turn professional and it will be interesting to see if he can build on his point totals during the 2023-24 season for Harvard to help his development.

Healey has been selected by the Minnesota Wild in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Draft.

Healey’s production this past season didn’t match his potential as an offensive creator from the back end. He registered just 18 points in 59 games but he was a consistent play driver for Sioux Falls. He controls the offensive blue line with poise and has slick hands to maneuver around pressure to open up lanes from the point. Healey keeps his feet moving to force opposing defenders to make tough decisions and he has the ability to string plays together and facilitate quickly. His shot comes off his blade with power and he does a good job of finding lanes to get it through to the net as well. He defends well enough in transition and will finish his checks along the wall but he can also make poor decisions when faced with pressure in the defensive zone. He will need to improve his mobility and round out his game away from the puck but I expect Healey to put up solid numbers when he joins Harvard next season.