DEFENCEMAN James Isaacs is determined to help turn Coventry Blaze’s poor season around after moving to the Skydome on an initial short-term deal.
The 26-year-old has been drafted in by head coach Chuck Weber this week to provide more experience and depth to his struggling Blaze side who remain rooted at the bottom of the Elite League table.
The 6’1”Canadian spent last season with league rivals Dundee Stars where he posted 11 assists and 3 goals in 44 appearances.
Isaacs originally joined the Stars mid-way through the 2013/14 season where he played a pivotal role in helping the Scottish side clinch the Gardiner Conference title.
Prior to his time in the Elite League, Isaacs won a championship at junior level in the British Columbia Intercollegiate League (BCIHL) with Simon Fraser University in 2010/11 before turning pro with the Mississippi Surge of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) in 2011/12.
A season and a half later he signed in the ECHL with Idaho Steelheads where he played over 50 games primarily as a shutdown defenceman before moving on to Greenville Road Warriors and then to the UK, the birthplace of his Father.
Isaacs said he is relishing the chance to make his Coventry debut against his former side at the Skydome Arena this Saturday night.
“I appreciate the opportunity,” said Isaacs. “I’ll work hard and then we’ll go from there.
“I can’t wait to get back on the ice and get playing again. I enjoyed my time in the Elite League and in Scotland previously. It was pretty good to me.
“It’s kind of fitting that my debut will be against Dundee. It should be a good game and give me a little extra motivation as well.
“I’ve recently attended a training camp in the ECHL but unfortunately the coach I signed with left to coach juniors in the WHL and I had some bad luck but since then I’ve been skating with the local junior team at home in Victoria and waiting for the right opportunity.”
