NY Islanders make forward looking hire with new mental performance consultant

Detroit Red Wings v New York Islanders | Bruce Bennett/GettyImagesThe New York Islanders made a forward-looking hire this week that speaks less to systems and rosters and more to the unseen layer that increasingly separates good teams from great ones. The organization announced the addition of Siana Sylvester as Mental Performance Consultant, a role that will span NHL, AHL and prospect levels — a signal that the club is investing in cognitive preparation the same way it invests in skill development, analytics and recovery.

Sylvester arrives with uncommon range. She is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, a Professional Certified…