New York Islanders sign defenseman Isaiah George to entry-level contract
The New York Islanders have signed defense prospect Isaiah George to a three-year, entry-level contract, the club announced Wednesday afternoon.
George, 19, collected seven goals and 22 points in 54 games with the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights during the 2022–23 regular season. The 6′ left-handed defender added three assists in 20 playoff contests with the Knights.
The Islanders originally selected George in the fourth round (No. 98 overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. The Oakville, Ontario product had until June 2024 to sign his ELC with the Islanders before he would become eligible to re-enter the draft.
Through 121 career OHL games with the Knights, George has racked up 13 goals, 45 points, and a plus-46 rating.
#Isles Transaction: The New York Islanders have signed defenseman Isaiah George to a three-year, entry-level contract.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) September 13, 2023George is the fourth member of the Islanders’ 2022 NHL Draft class to sign an entry-level contract with the team, following second-round pick Calle Odelius, fifth-round pick Matthew Maggio, and sixth-round selection Daylan Kuefler.
That leaves only third-round pick Quinn Finley, a 6′ left wing who is set to attend the University of Wisconsin beginning in the 2024–25 season. The Islanders have plenty of time remaining to assess Finley’s trajectory before they make a decision on whether to sign him.
George is one of dozens of Islanders prospects and other young players set to attend the team’s annual rookie camp, which opens on Thursday. After that, George will be eligible to return to the Knights for the 2023–24 season.
The Islanders qualified for the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the first wild card team after posting a 42–31–9 record and 93 points in 82 games during the regular season. They ultimately fell to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
A new season beckons, and the Islanders will begin their 2023–24 slate of games on October 14 when they take on the Buffalo Sabres at UBS Arena.