SPOTLIGHT: Isaac Langdon
C’mon b’y– Newfoundland slang meaning “come on buddy.”
Isaac Langdon is no stranger to this saying. Being a Newfoundland native, his family’s vocabulary is riddled with slang. C’mon b’y is a saying Isaac’s grandfather, Ronald, would use on him growing up and even still to this day.
“I remember learning to skate on an outdoor rink in Newfoundland that my Grandpa Ronald made for me. He would go outside in the cold with a hose in hand and make a rink in his driveway or backyard. He would come out, skate with me and watch me grow up. He was always there.”
Now playing for the Kitchener Rangers, it is hard for Isaac to be able to go back to Newfoundland, but his Grandfather is always supporting him even though most of the time he is 2,495 km away.
“He has always been there cheering me on. When I started playing competitive, he would tell me how proud he is of me but would tell me to do better when I wasn’t working hard enough. He would say, ‘c’mon b’y,’ so there is no slacking off for me,” laughed Isaac.
Having a support system is super crucial to Isaac and his success in the OHL. Being able to rely on family—who were in town this week spending some time with Isaac—is necessary, but it is also helpful to have people here who he can go to.
“I look up to Riley Damiani a lot. Not just on the ice but off the ice as well. He works hard all over the ice, he does everything right,” said Isaac. “He is the type of player I hope to be. Riley is responsible in his own end, but he also has a punch in the offensive zone. Then off the ice, he is a good leader, a great team guy and is super easy to talk to. I can always go to him when I’m struggling.”
Riley isn’t the only person on the Rangers Isaac looks up to, Rangers’ assistant coach, Andreas Karlsson, has been a mentor for him as well.
“I connect well with Andreas, and he is someone I look up to. We work on new skill drills to get my feet quicker or my shot harder. Andreas focuses on development, and that is something I can really connect with,” said Isaac. “He is always there for me and is a coach I can go to whenever I need. I like him a lot.”
On-ice development is key to any hockey player’s success. You have to work hard to develop your skills every day and keep pushing yourself. But there comes a time when hockey becomes a mental sport, and you need to have balance. At 16-years-old, Isaac has already figured this out—a rarity in this day and age.
Isaac’s big dream, like most OHL players, is to make the big leagues. But he knows he needs a backup plan should this not happen.
“School is important for me, and I always want to have something to fall back on in case my hockey career doesn’t pan out. But right now, I’m focused on the Rangers and helping them in any way I can.”
Isaac’s efforts in school have not gone unnoticed. Last month, Isaac was named the OHL’s Midwest division’s academic player of the month. Being able to be successful in school and balancing the OHL lifestyle is not easy, but Isaac seems to have found his stride.
“I really enjoy Kitchener, I love my billets, the school is good, and I love the life,” smiled Isaac. “I love waking up, going to school, then heading to the rink every day I really do. Being with all the guys, living the lifestyle of a hockey player is pretty good one.”
