Jay Pandolfo tells The Post that Cole Eiserman is a ‘special’ prospect as Islanders questions remain

Jay Pandolfo watched it for two years from his perch behind the Boston University bench. Cole Eiserman, he said, wants to score. Loves to score. Thinks it’s the way that he — as a 19-year-old and 2024 first-round pick now officially in the Islanders organization — can help. 

Eiserman possessed a shot that goalies just couldn’t find a way to stop. “He’s special at scoring goals,” Pandolfo, the BU head coach, told The Post. He collected 25 as a freshman, produced a clutch one in the Beanpot title game, anchored the Terriers’ run to the Frozen Four and collected six more in six games to open his encore as a sophomore. But then he sustained a lower-body injury in October 2025 after getting crunched into the boards from behind, forcing him to miss three weeks.

Then, goal droughts followed — one three games long, one that was six games, and another three-game drought across the rest of the year. Eiserman looked human. 

Cole Eiserman of the Boston University Terriers celebrates his goal against the Boston College Eagles in the third period during the championship game of the annual Beanpot Hockey Tournament at TD Garden on February 9, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. Getty Images

But months later, as Pandolfo reflected at the onset of an important summer ahead of a critical first training camp, he referred to those stretches as a “learning experience.” Eiserman handled it well, Pandolfo said, and that consistency, that ability to still contribute even when the goals don’t string together, will be a key variable as Eiserman pushes for a chance with the Islanders. His strengths have become obvious.