His stellar junior hockey career on Long Island led him to the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in Michigan, where he played two seasons. He had 34 points (eight goals, 26 assists) in 58 games with the NTDP Under-18 team in 2018-19 and was ranked No. 61 among North American skaters in the NHL Central Scouting final rankings for the 2019 NHL Draft. But it wasn't until the sixth round (No. 166) that the Minnesota Wild called his name.
17 players were selected from the NTDP U-18 team. Warren ranked 17th.
The message that night from NTDP Director of Player Personnel Rod Braceful?
“I just told him, 'Hey, don't get down on yourself. You should enjoy this moment and don't get disappointed.' He's going to go a long way and he can play in the NHL.”
Warren spent four seasons of his career at Boston College starting in the draft. But the Wild chose not to sign him, making him an unrestricted free agent after the 2022-23 season. In the 2023-24 season, he used his fifth season of NCAA eligibility to play at the University of Michigan, scoring 18 points (4 goals, 14 assists) in 41 games.
After the season, Warren got the call he'd always wanted. The Islanders signed him to a two-year entry-level contract on April 16, 2024.
He played in 53 games with Bridgeport of the American Hockey League last season, scoring 17 points (4 goals, 13 assists). The experience gave him some comfort when he arrived at training camp this season.
“The first year you learn everything, and then the second year everything slows down a little bit,” he said.
Warren performed well in training camp and was one of the last players sent to the AHL before New York's season opener on Oct. 9. But he's impressed Islanders head coach Patrick Roy, tallying five points (two goals, three assists) in his first four AHL games this season.
With New York placing guard Alexander Romanov (upper body) on injured reserve Thursday, Warren was the first to get the call to take his place.
“He's been really good in training camp,” Roy said Friday. “I thought he played really well. He was [AHL] Bridgeport Player of the Week. … It’s nice to see him get rewarded for what he’s done.” “
That reward came just before noon Saturday, when he finished his spotlight skate as friends and family looked on.
He then made full use of the opportunity, dishing out two assists in 11 minutes and 20 seconds of playing time. Warren crossed the penalty area and scored on a penalty kick from Anthony Duclair at 6:15 of the second quarter, and then at 4:21 of the third, Maxim Tsyplakov fired the ball into the net from the blue line.
