The Islanders signed their 1997 fourth-round pick yesterday, 6-foot-4 center Petr Mika of the Czech Republic, days before losing his rights.

Mika, 20, played last winter in the World Junior Championships for the Czech Republic and also for Slavia Prague. Mika will attend Isles’ training camp and likely play in Lowell (AHL) next season.

After getting drafted, Mika played one season in juniors for Ottawa of the Ontario League, scoring 10 goals and 18 points in 41 games in 1997-98.