The greatest joy that Ottawa Junior Senators’ center Isaac Anderson finds in playing ice hockey, is the role of playmaker.
“I’m a pass first guy,” said Anderson, “a 5-10 center.”
Blessed with speed and superb vision, Anderson has a knack for finding an opening in a defense and delivering a pass on the stick of a teammate. It’s pure satisfaction for him when that pass leads to a goal for Ottawa.
But this season, the 20-year-old, now in his fourth year with the Junior Senators, is focusing a bit more on shooting the puck. Listening to the advice from none other an authority than Wayne Gretzky, who famously said you miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take, Anderson is aiming to be more aggressive looking for his shot this year.
“I’m looking to get a few more goals,” he pointed out.
Anderson’s new aggression is paying off for him and the Junior Senators. He’s scored two goals through the first 17 games one of them a game-winner against Pembroke. Ottawa has won 12 of those 17 contests.
While he may be trying to score goals more often this year, Anderson will remain a playmaker. He’ll still be looking for the open teammate.
Anderson was 17-years-old and in high school when the Junior Senators drafted him out of Petawawa, Ontario.
“I was kind of shocked,” he said of being drafted.
It was off to the big city for Anderson leaving behind his small town that was two hours away from Ottawa.
“It was humbling,” he said of his move away from home. “It was a big adjustment.”
But, four-years later, it’s been a great learning experience for the Junior Senator.
“I came from a small town, I met people from all over Canada and the United States,” he noted. “It helped me socially. I matured as a man. I learned the professionalism of the sport.”
Joining the Junior Senators, one of the best organizations in the Central Canadian Hockey League (CCHL) also helped the 20-year-old Anderson become a better player. It was the right Junior A league team for him to join. Anderson was able to see playing time right from the start.
“They play four lines,” the center explained. “That helped me play right away and gain confidence.”
Anderson’s point totals have improved with every season.
Besides joining a team that utilized its depth, Anderson was hooking up with an organization with a rich tradition. The Junior Senators have finished in first place in the Yzerman Division of the CCHL the last three years.
“We have a winning culture,” Anderson noted.
As one of the veterans on the team, Anderson and the other older players are the team leaders passing on the winning culture to them.
“The veterans let them (newcomers) in on the system we run, drills and what is expected of them,” Anderson said.
Despite all of the Junior Senators success, there is one thing missing during Anderson’s tenure, a league championship. They have reached the playoff finals the last two years, falling to the Carleton Place Canadians each year. Anderson wants to get back to the finals and win it all this time.
When the 2017-18 season concludes, Anderson hopes his hockey career is just starting. His goal is to play Division I hockey in either the United States or Canada.
