| Isaac Enright | Pembroke Lumber Kings U18 | HEO Midget AAA | R | D | 6’1″ | 170 | Niagara Ice Dogs | 2019 | Ottawa, ON | 2003 | 2020-2021: C |
Neutral Zone’s Paul O’Hagan, May 2021: Enright is a heads up right shot defender with decent size and above average mobility. Enright was among our favourite two way defenders in his Minor Midget season and was a very good first round pick into the Ontario Hockey League. He was quickly thrown into the fire in his rookie season on a weak Niagara Ice Dogs team. He played in a top 4 defender role for the Ice Dogs and played good minutes as a rookie defender in the OHL. Defensively, Enright shows good foot speed and defensive mobility and can close on opposition forwards quickly. He has both the size and speed to develop into a two way defender at the OHL level. Enright distributes pucks cleanly and shows good composure breaking down the opposition forecheck. He has enough speed to create space on the breakout and can skate the puck to safety if needed. He has an excellent low shot and is able to use his mobility on the offensive blueline to adjust vs any opposition shot blocks. He generally gets pucks through to the net and on target.
Neutral Zone’s Paul O’Hagan, September 2021: In games viewed in March of 2020, prior to the Covid-19 lockdown, he managed pucks well in his zone and minimized giveaways playing vs opposition top lines. He defended well for a young blueliner but showed some areas for improvement. As with all young defenders he needs to continue to improve his gap management and physical presence on the defensive side of the puck. As top 4 defender early in his OHL career he performed well, minimized errors/giveaways, and showed good defensive intensity in front of his net. Enright has the opportunity to be an elite two way defender at the OHL level with his above average skating and mobility. He will be an interesting player to watch as he develops physically and the team he plays on continues to improve. Grade: B
OHL Gold Cup, May 2019: Enright another steady, skating defender who plays with a high hockey IQ. Enright plays an efficient defensive game, uses his angles well, and has enough mobility to take away time and space from opponents. Enright was held off the scoresheet this tournament but he managed pucks well and was very effective at breaking down opposition breakouts. He managed pucks effectively on the powerplay and showed a strong all-around game. We continue to like his physical play for an average sized defender – he competes so well. OHL Team: Niagara Ice Dogs – 1st Round, 17th Overall Grade: A-
HEO Midget AAA Labor Day Showcase, September 2018: Enright is an explosive skater. He has break free speed which allows him to separate from forecheckers after he beats them. He has a hard shot that he keeps low which makes it tough for the goalies to see. He moves well on the blue line to shake the first defender and can snap pucks through with ease. Needs to work on his gap control.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images