Edinburgh Capitals are excited to announce the return of highly experienced Canadian defenceman James Isaacs for the 2024-25 SNL campaign.
The Rhino became an instant fan favourite when he signed with the club right at the tail end of 2023, playing his first game for the Caps in our Hogmanay Hockey win in front of close to 2500 fans.
Over the second half of the season, Issy slotted in at the back end and showed his class week in and week out. He was able to offer a massive offensive threat from the blue line and grabbed 10 goals and 22 assists in just 22 games.
With nearly 500 games played in the Elite League with Fife Flyers, Dundee Stars, and Coventry Blaze we knew we had brought in a guy that would be a standout in this league.
With James now living and working in the capital we are delighted he is back on board for the new season.
The 34-year-old Victoria, BC native grew up playing in the junior leagues in Canada before stepping up to pro hockey in the SPHL and then the ECHL. He would then arrive on these shores in 2014 to sign with the Dundee Stars.
For the next 10 years, he would play in Britain apart from a summer in Australia and a season back in the SPHL before joining the Caps. His experience is a very valuable asset to the team as well as his leadership both on and off the ice.
Head Coach Steven Lynch worked tirelessly to get Issy signed last season and as you would imagine he is ecstatic to see him return. “James was a massive signing for us last year for many reasons and he didn’t disappoint.
He has brought nothing but professionalism to our team and also to our league since he arrived and quickly stood out as possibly the best defenceman in the SNL.
He makes other players around him better and he’s a very popular guy in the dressing room and around the rink and still has an enthusiasm for the game like a teenager.
He’s been a real asset for us and I expect the same from him again in season 24/25.
Having him back in our line-up again this year is a fantastic signing. Having him in for a whole season will help us dramatically and along with new signing, Rihards Grigors, we now have two difference-making defencemen in our line-up. This will ultimately make us stronger and the pair give us a great foundation to build our defensive group around.”
The Capitals Supporters Club Player of the Year hopes to add to our success in the 2023-24 campaign. “I can’t wait to get back to Murrayfield for another season with the Capitals!
Last year was some of the most fun times I’ve had playing hockey and I can’t wait to do it all again.
I certainly feel like we have some unfinished business as a club, so I hope we can improve and win a couple more trophies.”
The team is slowly starting to take shape and be sure to stay tuned to all our social media platforms for more signing news as it happens.
LET’S GO CAPITALS!
