At only 18 years of age, Charlottetown Islander Daniel Sprong has made an unprecedented impact in the NHL.

Sprong is only the second player in the post-lockout era to score a NHl goal as an 18-year-old who wasn't drafted in the first round.

“I think there are probably a lot of teams who would like a do-over on the draft because Daniel has proven them wrong,” said Charlottetown Islander coach Daniel Sprong.

Sprong was picked up by the Pittsburgh Penguins 46th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft, then earned a spot on the roster just months later.

“I said, 'I'm going to show every team they made a mistake not taking me,'” said Sprong, “and I was one of the few guys to make the NHL at 18.”

While his first stint with the Pens only lasted 18 games, the Dutch winger managed to score twice, getting a taste of the big leagues.

“Guys like Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Fleury, I remember watching them play when I was little, and I'm playing with them all of a sudden, it's pretty cool,” said Sprong. “I remember my first shift with Sid. I was so nervous, just tried to get him the puck to do whatever he wants.”

Sprong has since been sent back to his major junior team for further development, something Charlottetown Islanders fans were thrilled with.

“He can score goals, he can shoot, he can skate. He brings all those elements and his hockey sense is very good,” said Mark Recchi with Penguins player development. “You can't teach that stuff. You can teach kids how to play defense, but a lot of kids don't have those abilities like he does.”

But the season still had more highs and lows in store for Sprong. After taking part in AHL playoffs, he rejoined the Penguins as a reserve player available in case of emergency during playoffs.

Sprong was hurt in practice during the Penguins’ cup run, requiring surgery that sidelined him for more than eight months.

“When the injury happened, I was heartbroken. Couldn't believe it actually happened,” said Sprong.

But he remained with the Pens until the very end, clutching the Stanley Cup shortly after his 19th birthday.

Sprong wasn't healthy enough to play again until the first week of January. Now he's scoring at a feverish pace, with 31 points in 19 games. He’s also become the franchises' all-time points leader and goal scorer.

As his junior career draws to a close, his focus is to bring Charlottetown its first championship.

“I've never made it past the second round. Last year we were close, losing to Shawinigan in six games, but this year we have a team that could go all the way, and it would be pretty cool to end my junior career with a least a chance to win,” said Sprong.

The Islanders are among the top teams in the league as the season enters its final stretch, with Sprong and his teammates prepared for an all-out battle on the road to the President's Cup

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Cami Kepke.