The Islanders have recalled defenseman Isaiah George from AHL Bridgeport, per the NHL’s media site (hat tip to Stefen Rosner of NHL.com/The Hockey News). It’s the first-ever NHL recall for the 20-year-old, who could make his NHL debut tonight against the Penguins.
George replaces Samuel Bolduc on the active roster. Bolduc, 23, was summoned from Bridgeport before Sunday’s 5-2 loss to the Rangers after the club lost defensemen Adam Pelech, Mike Reilly and Alexander Romanov to injuries in their win over the Sabres on Friday. However, Bolduc played just 5:56 against the Rangers, posting a -1 rating, and was returned to Bridgeport yesterday. The organization evidently doesn’t view him as a legitimate NHL option for now after he played a career-high 34 games last year, so George comes up to get his first chance at NHL minutes.
George, a left-shot defender, was a fourth-round pick (98th overall) in 2022. He spent the following two seasons finishing out his junior career with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League before making his professional debut with Bridgeport this season. The “effortless puck-carrier,” as described by Elite Prospects, has a goal and an assist with a -1 rating through his first four games with the Baby Isles.
For now, Romanov remains day-to-day with the upper-body injury that’s cost him four of the Islanders’ last five games. He skated alongside Noah Dobson in line rushes in practice yesterday, though, per Denis P. Gorman of Newsday. He appears likely to play tonight, but if he can’t go, George will slot into the lineup with Ryan Pulock and Dennis Cholowski ahead of him on the Islanders’ left defense depth chart.
George only played three junior seasons instead of the typical four prior to aging out, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic wiping out what would have been his rookie campaign with London. He still totaled 19 goals, 56 assists, 75 points, 100 PIMs, and a +72 rating in 189 appearances for the Knights. He posted career-highs across the board last season with 24 assists, 30 points, and a +26 rating before adding 12 points in 18 playoff games as London won the OHL championship. He’s still in the first year of his entry-level contract, so he isn’t eligible for restricted free agency until 2027.