It didn’t take long for Jacob Kvasnicka to make his mark in the WHL.

The New York Islanders prospect, 18, is flying out of the gate in 2025-26, amassing 19 points in 14 games as a rookie to lead the expansion Penticton Vees to a 7-5-1-1 start.

“We’ve gelled as a team,” said Kvasnicka, a seventh-round pick of the Islanders in 2025. “People expect us to come in soft and skilled, but we’ve shown how physical we can be. We’re not here to come lightly.”

A native of Burnsville, Minn., Kvasnicka’s fast start to his major junior hockey career was recognized league-wide when he took home WHL Rookie of the Week Honours on Oct. 6, following a seven-point outburst in three games.

“He’s a smart player, has a high compete level,” said Fred Harbinson, the Vees’ head coach, general manager and president, about Kvasnicka. “He’s got a really crafty stick, and whenever there’s a 50-50 puck, he seems to keep plays alive.”

Before coming to Penticton, the 5’11”, 172-pound winger spent two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP).

Sandwiched between those campaigns was an appearance with Team USA at the 2025 World U18 Championships in Texas, where he scored five points in seven games en route to capturing a bronze medal.

Kvasnicka could also don the stars and stripes this season, as he vies for a spot on the United States’ roster at the 2026 World Junior Hockey Championship, beginning on Dec. 26 in his home state of Minnesota.

“It’s definitely something I’ve dreamed of playing in, and if it happens, it happens, but my main focus is (the Vees),” Kvasnicka said, as he recalled his fondest world junior memory of watching Team USA beat Canada outdoors in front of 45,000 people on Dec. 29, 2017, in Buffalo, N.Y.

Kvasnicka’s transition from the NTDP to major junior hockey has been seamless, he said.

Both played “at a high pace,” the NHL draft pick added that he looks forward to taking his experience with the Vees to the NCAA next season, where he’ll suit up for the University of Minnesota.

“I came here to produce on my offensive game more and it’s definitely showing,” the Vees’ leading scorer said. “I just hope that carries over to the U (of Minnesota) next year.”

Still, Kvasnicka hasn’t lost track of his task today as he looks to bring Penticton to the playoffs in the club’s first year as a franchise.

“Definitely a WHL championship, and then a Memorial Cup as well,” the winger quickly replied when asked about his goals for this season.