It wasn’t brash. The words didn’t come out as a dare. But Bode Wilde, fresh off of one of the best seasons for any defenseman in Canadian junior hockey, said it quite plainly: He’s ready for the Islanders and pro hockey.



“Whatever the Islanders have in mind for me, wherever they feel I’ll fit in, that’s what I’ll dive into with both feet,” Wilde said. “I’ve proved I can play in the OHL and I’m ready for more of a challenge. I’m ready to take that next step.”



Lou Lamoriello, Barry Trotz and the rest of the Islanders brain trust will have next month’s prospect camp and September’s training camp to make their full evaluation of Wilde, the rangy, right-shot defenseman who slipped to them at No. 41 last June. The 19-year-old had a tumultuous run-up to that draft 11 months ago in Dallas, de-committing from Michigan earlier in the week and then not being picked until the second round...