We normally just report on news about Long Island sports associated with the high school and college ranks, but since the New York Islanders are very much a part of Long Island’s sports culture, we’ll share interesting bits of info from time-to-time.

Today, the team sent last year’s fifth overall pick, Nino Niederreiter, down to Portland of the Western Hockey League. This is a much different tale than the treatment John Tavares, the 2009 first overall pick, received last year. Perhaps it’s because Tavares was light years ahead of El Nino.

The Chur, Switzerland, native scored one goal and one assist in his first nine career NHL games. Last year Niederreiter, 18, played his rookie season in the Western Hockey League, leading the Portland Winterhawks in goals with 36 and registering 24 assists for 60 points in 65 games.

On the international stage, Niederreiter represented Switzerland at the 2010 World Junior Championships, where he lead the team with 10 points in seven games (6 goals, 4 assists) and was named to the tournament all-star team. He also played in four games with Team Switzerland at the World Championships.