By: Riley Pollock – 10.04.25
Whether it be his 6-foot-2, 210-lb. frame, his constant smile, or the feverish pace he plays at during practice and games, Riley Isaacs is hard to miss out on the floor with the Roughnecks.
The second-year pro picked up his first NLL goal last Friday in Saskatoon. He described how the play shook out.
“It was a fortunate loose ball situation,” explained the Calgary product. “I was breaking up the floor and saw (Tanner Cook) coming off the bench so I was hoping I was going to be able to dump it to him but they never really slid off him. I let one go and fortunately it went in.
Many members of Isaacs family were able to be in attendance with some driving from Calgary, and others living in Saskatoon.
“My mom was able to make the drive over from Calgary,” he said. “My grandparents, my great-aunt and uncle and my god-mother all live in Saskatoon and had a cousin at the game, too. There were lots of family that were able to come out and watch. It was pretty neat.”
Isaacs’ brother, Hudson, is now following in Riley’s footsteps and will play Jr. A with the Calgary Mounties this summer. Riley says he thinks he could be playing with, or against, his little brother very soon.
“I absolutely believe that (he could be in the NLL),” said Isaacs. “He’s 6-foot-5 at 16 years old so that certainly helps. He’s a smart, big, defensive player so I could definitely see it.”
Isaacs has made the transition from offence to defence this season to try and crack the Riggers roster and it has worked out for him. He’s played in two games this year after spending the majority of the year on the practice roster last season.
“It’s been a lot of learning, switching to a new position,” he explained. “I think I’ve just tried to work hard and listen to the coaches and a lot of the veteran guys who have good insights. I think I’m starting to settle into it but there is still a lot to learn.”
The Riggers have two massive games to end the season next weekend. If they can pick up wins against Las Vegas and Colorado they are all but guaranteed a playoff spot. Any other result and there are a few things that will need to go right for the group to make the postseason.
“It’s a group that has high expectations of ourselves,” said Isaacs. “There are a lot of veteran guys that are proven winners in this league so us young guys are trying to follow behind them. I think everyone is working really hard this bye week so that we’re ready for the double-header weekend.”
