Daylan Kuefler at the Center of Bridgeport’s Team-First Identity
Jan 22, 2026By: Tucker Terranova
Bridgeport, CT – With the Bridgeport Islanders heading to the penalty kill in the second period of their January 19 contest against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Daylan Kuefler pickpocketed a Phantoms defenseman at the point and chipped the puck from his knees to Liam Foudy. Foudy broke in alone and eventually buried a shorthanded goal, putting the game out of reach and giving the Islanders their first five-game winning streak in seven years.
It was the type of play Islanders teammates and coaches have come to expect from Kuefler. The third-year pro is in the midst of a career season, but his focus remains on doing whatever it takes to help the team win.
“It’s less about the points and more about setting my teammates up for opportunities,” Kuefler said. “Everybody loves scoring goals and getting assists, but winning also comes from things like killing penalties and doing your job.”
Kuefler embodies an Islanders team that has fully bought into first-year head coach Rocky Thompson’s system. The 23-year-old from Alberta has recorded a point in each game of Bridgeport’s season-long winning streak as he and his teammates continue to settle into their roles. Through 34 games, Kuefler has four goals, 10 assists and 14 points, which are all career highs, while ranking second on the team in plus-minus at +8. This season has also given him consistent playing time for the first time in his professional career.
After missing time with injuries during his first two campaigns, Kuefler has suited up for all 34 games he’s played with the club in 2025–26, including multiple appearances while sporting a black eye. It’s part of the no-nonsense identity Thompson has brought to the organization, something the players have embraced.
“Rocky expects a lot out of us because he believes in us, which has been exciting,” Kuefler said. “We know nothing is personal with him and it’s all business. It’s tough love, but we know he trusts us and cares about us.”
That professionalism is something Kuefler learned early on. As a young player, he met Shane Doan and saw firsthand what it took to become a professional. The longtime NHL captain served as a mentor, leaving a lasting impression.
“Seeing how he carried himself both at and away from the rink was special,” Kuefler said. “He’s an unbelievable person, so I learned how to treat people, along with getting a glimpse into professional hockey.”
Kuefler carried those lessons to the WHL, spending four seasons with the Kamloops Blazers from 2019–23 and recording 144 points in 184 games. Selected by the Islanders in the sixth round of the 2022 NHL Draft, he found the transition to the professional game challenging at first but quickly adjusted, producing 15 points in 39 games between Bridgeport and the Worcester Railers during the 2023-24 season.
“Getting used to the size of everyone and having to put on strength was the biggest thing,” Kuefler said. “Everyone here can skate, and everyone is physical.”
Joining Bridgeport for his debut on February 2, 2024, Kuefler quickly gelled with the group, which included current Islander Matthew Maggio. The two, both born in 2002, are among eight players from the 2023–24 squad still with the club, along with 19 overall carryovers from last season. While developing alongside a young core has come with growing pains, Kuefler believes enduring the lows of the AHL has helped unite the group.
“We’ve become brothers and built that relationship,” Kuefler said. “We went through a couple of tough years, but to be coming out on the other side and playing as well as we are right now has been very exciting.”
Part of that growth has been a willingness to embrace new roles. A natural winger, Kuefler transitioned to center earlier this season and has provided reliable two-way play, earning time on both the penalty kill and power play.
“It definitely took some time to get used to the position, but I’ve worked on it a lot with Marty Reasoner and feel good about it now,” Kuefler said. “The biggest adjustment was knowing where I need to be after the draw, but everything feels natural now.”
He’s not alone. Maggio has also made the switch to center, while other players have been asked to line up on their off-hand sides. The collective buy-in has paid dividends, with Bridgeport holding the final Atlantic Division playoff spot at the time of publication.
“I think there is a lot of belief in our room, and that’s such a crucial thing,” Kuefler said. “Belief and confidence can do so much for a team. When you have those two things, everything else clicks.”
For Kuefler, the opportunity to contribute is what matters most. Growing up in a hockey family and idolizing the Edmonton Oilers, the game has always been central to his life.
“Hockey was 24/7 for me growing up,” he said. “Mini sticks, street hockey: it’s all I wanted to do. I love everything about it.”
That grit and tenacity developed in Western Canada have followed Kuefler to Total Mortgage Arena, where he has become a fan favorite. With plenty of games remaining, he hopes to keep building momentum and help the Islanders return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021–22.
“I’ve loved playing here and feel really comfortable with where I’m at,” Kuefler said. “Finding confidence in tough situations and continuing to grow over the past three years has been really rewarding.”