Isaiah George Fueled By First NHL Stint

Feb 25, 2025

By Brian Germinaro | Bridgeport Islanders

 

Every hockey player, regardless of age or experience, dreams of reaching the top. But it’s not easy. Some marinate in the minor leagues longer than others. Some never make it.

 

For Isaiah George, his dream came true before his 21st birthday.

 

“Going out for my rookie lap was a pretty big realization,” George said. “I tried to soak in that moment, and when I got to play, it was super fun. Once the game ended, you get a chance to reflect and relax, it was a special feeling.”

 

The New York Islanders’ fourth-round draft pick (2022) showcased a wide, contagious smile, while describing the emotions from his NHL debut on Nov. 5 against the Pittsburgh Penguins at UBS Arena. He had played just four games with Bridgeport to begin his rookie season.

 

“It was surreal because it happened so quickly,” George said, reflecting on his first NHL recall. “We had practice in Bridgeport that day, and I was getting ready to play a couple of night later. Then around like seven or eight o’clock, I got a call that they wanted me to come down, and I was playing the next day. I didn’t get a chance to process what was going on until the next day.”

 

George, who recently celebrated his 21st birthday on Feb. 15, played 15:41 of ice time and registered one shot in his debut. Patrick Roy was so impressed with his first showing that he promoted George to the first pairing alongside Noah Dobson. He played 23:59 two nights later in Ottawa.

 

“All those guys are great and made it easy,” George said. “I could go up to any of them, or they came to me, and helped me with different stuff, like travel coordination and dinners along with everything on the ice.” 

 

George recorded his first NHL point on Nov. 25 against the Detroit Red Wings, which started a streak of three straight games with an assist. Yet the moment that sticks out most came almost exactly a month later on Dec. 21.

 

“Going back home to play the [Toronto Maple] Leafs, and scoring my first goal there in front of family and friends, that was really special,” George said. “I grew up going to Scotiabank Arena to watch hockey games, so to get my first goal there was something I’ll never forget.”  

 

George played 33 games during his first NHL stint, tallying one goal and four assists. He was returned to Bridgeport on Jan. 31, but that experience gave him loads of confidence. He is motivated to make it back.

 

“Just the professionalism,” said George, discussing what he learned from his first NHL recall. “I’m obviously a young guy so I got to see how older guys go about their day-to-day. How they treat their bodies and prepare for games. I saw how my game works at the NHL level, what I’m good at and what needs work at this stage.”

 

The lessons he learned in the NHL aren’t just beneficial for him, but for everyone who wants to play in the greatest league in the world one day. 

 

“Keep working and have fun,” George laughed. “Hockey has gone by so quickly, so enjoy every moment. Every moment is special in its own way and if you try to have fun every day you come to the rink, you’ll have a lot of success.”