EXCLUSIVE: Prospect Isaiah George Applying Pressure on Islanders Defense
At just 19 years old, New York Islanders defenseman Isaiah George is impressing at his first-ever training camp. He spoke with our Stefen Rosner after day two about the experience.
At just 19 years old, New York Islanders defenseman Isaiah George is impressing at his first-ever training camp.
Due to his age, the Islanders fourth-round pick in 2022 can either make the NHL squad or return to juniors for his third season with the OHL's London Knights.
The latter is more likely, but that doesn't mean it's the automatic result once camp ends.
"I've really liked him. He's confident, even from rookie camp. He passes the puck hard. It's on the tape," Islanders head coach Lane Lambert said after day two of camp. "That's the key to being a defenseman, a breakout defenseman. He's young, but he doesn't necessarily play to his age. He seems to be pretty seasoned."
As for when George would be heading back to London, Ontario, Lambert had no answer.
"That's what training camps are for," Lambert said. "People take opportunities, and we'll see what they do with them."
Again, making the NHL roster is a long shot for George, but he's doing all the right things to keep himself in the NHL conversation.
"He looks solid. I think he's got good poise, offensively and defensively," NHL staple Ryan Pulock told The Hockey News. "Watching him for a couple of days here, off rushes and defensive zone ending plays, he looks like he's got a lot of confidence in all areas of his game."
Pulock has skated with George through the first two days of camp.
When asked about what the young defenseman can take out of his first training camp and bring back with him to juniors, Pulock had something to say before answering.
"I mean, you never know," Pulock said on George cracking the roster. "If he can push somebody out, I'm sure he's gonna have a spot, so you never know.
"I think for him, he's just coming in here and putting his best foot forward. He keeps working on every area of his game and pushing the veterans, myself, to be better and fight for our jobs. So it's great to see that."
We saw prospects on both sides of the puck, paired or on lines with NHL regulars, and that's not by accident.
When Lambert was asked why he chose Pulock as a partner for George, he spoke on the Islanders' culture.
"It's communication, and that's the reason why we have some young guys [with veterans]. It's about the culture," Lambert said. "Those guys have created the culture, and they are the culture, and having them pass it down through their communication and through their work ethic, I think, it's important."
There is no information yet on whether or not George will play in a preseason game or when (if) he will head back to juniors.
For George, skating with NHLers at his first training camp has been an incredible experience.
"It's pretty cool. I watch a lot of hockey," George said. "It's cool. It's pretty surreal to just be out on the ice with all those guys."
Skating with Pulock has been an experience.
"He's a top defenseman. He's very smart and good positionally. And then, obviously, I feel like he's good with the puck," George said. "He has a lot of poise and just makes a lot of good plays."
As a defenseman, George has had to go up against some pretty tough forwards, starting with Jean-Gabriel Pageau.
"He was the first guy, NHL guy, last practice that I was playing up against. So that was a pretty cool moment," George said.
Confidence, as Lambert and Pulock mentioned, is not lacking from the youngster George, and it's what has allowed him to be productive.
"I think just having confidence in myself [has been key]," George said. "Knowing that I put in the work to be able to compete and then just staying focused and trusting everything I've learned throughout my entire hockey career."
As for what George has learned so far and what he can take back to juniors, barring an NHL gig: "I think the biggest thing is just the compete and just the pace of play and physicality, and that's something I can always bring back and just have that reminder every time I'm out in practice in games, just to always make sure I'm skating hard, playing physical and just trying to emulate what it's like at the next level."
The Islanders' first two preseason games are coming up next Tuesday and Wednesday, and after not getting a chance last training camp, look for George to take the ice for one of those.