Goaltender Isaac Poulter was recalled from the American Hockey League on Tuesday and now joins close friend and former teammate Nico Daws in New Jersey.
Goaltender Isaac Poulter was recalled from the American Hockey League on Tuesday and now joins close friend and former teammate Nico Daws in New Jersey.
Tuesday started as just another run-of-the-mill day for Isaac Poulter. He had a list of errands and chores that needed to get done, but that all changed when he received a phone call from Utica Comets' head coach, Kevin Dineen.
"He asked what my plans were for the day, and I said just cleaning my apartment and probably doing some laundry and getting some groceries," Poulter said. "Dineen said I was not going to be doing that and that I had to come here."
"I'm a little disappointed I didn't get to the do the laundry, but even more excited to be down here," he continued with a smile.
Fast forward several hours, and he was on the ice at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House for his first official NHL practice with the New Jersey Devils.
He has also reunited with his former roommate and good friend, Nico Daws.
"It is great having a guy that I've grown to become really good friends with," Poulter said of Daws. "To have him here, it is kind of nice to have someone I'm comfortable with and can ask those random questions that I think of throughout the day."
During the Devils 2023 Development Camp, Kristy Flannery of The Hockey News sat down with Poulter and discussed his relationship with Daws.
"We were roommates last year at (Devils) Development Camp and again at rookie camp, so we got to know each other pretty well," he said. "He brought me over for dinner quite a few times and took me out for lunch. He is a really good cook. I can tell that (he has) high standards for his own food. I was happy to get a home-cooked meal when I was there."
The 22-year-old continued to say that Daws helped him out with his game as well.
Daws found out his friend was recalled from the American Hockey League on Wednesday morning.
"I had no idea he got called up," Daws said. "He called me this morning at 9:30 A.M. I had just woken up. He said, 'Where do I park?' I said, 'First of all, you got called up? Second of all, why are you here so early?'"
Daws did not participate in Wednesday's practice; he was given a day to rest but was at the rink.
He said that Poulter, who he describes as an unbelievable guy, has grown a lot over the past year and a half and works extremely hard.
"I think he was very nervous last year and just trying to find his (footing). Over the summer and coming into the season, he's been unbelievable, " Daws said.
"I know he is super pumped, and I'm happy for him."
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