Across The Sound: Meet Adam Beckman; Isaiah George On NHL Learning Experience

Our Brendan Yerkes caught up with one of the newer Bridgeport players as well as the young blue liner in this Elmonter exclusive.

Stefen Rosner

David Kolb

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The Elmonters

Mar 28, 2025

BRIDGEPORT, CT — On March 7, the New York Islanders dealt defenseman Dennis Cholowski to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for former 2019 third-round pick of the Minnesota Wild, forward Adam Beckman.

In 43 games for the Utica Comets, the Devils’ AHL affiliate, the 23-year-old had 13 goals and 20 assists for 33 points.

Since joining Bridgeport, he has three goals and two assists for five points in eight games.

Our Brendan Yerkes caught up with Beckman on Sunday after Bridgeport’s game against the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins (5-2 L):

Brendan Yerkes: What went through your mind when you found out you were coming to the Islanders organization?

Adam Beckman: “It was a pretty busy day. I had just found out and actually played the next night here. So it was a good turnaround, but I'm just super excited and lucky to be here.”

Yerkes: You were traded once before. Does it make it a little bit easier having already gone through it?

Beckman: "Yeah, in season, it's a little bit different. Just getting situated and just trying to find a routine and stuff like that, but yeah, it's a little different, but still at the same time, I'm used to the experience.”

Yerkes: For fans who don't really know about your game, how would you describe yourself?

Beckman: “I’m an offensive player, but I think that I can be relied upon in any situation. I'm thriving offensively and just trying to bring energy off the ice and on the ice, just trying to be a consistent player, be on the forecheck, stuff like that.”

Yerkes: Talk about your skating. You have a lot of speed. How can you use that in your game?

Beckman: “Being a bigger guy, it's important that you're able to get in on the forecheck and finish checks, be quick and be long. So I think that's a big thing for me, is trying to use my length to break up pucks.”

Yerkes: You've had a lot of success here at the AHL level and had some time in the NHL (22 GP with three assists for MIN). Talk about that.

Beckman: “Yeah, getting the opportunity to play in the NHL a little bit, I think that there's definitely some different parts of the game that I want to improve on to try to give myself an opportunity to be at that level again. Hopefully, I can stick up there. I think it's just continuing to help out in all areas of the game and be ready to go if I get an opportunity.”

Yerkes: Do you have any familiarity with the organization before you came here? Anybody you know?

Beckman: “Not a ton. I just don't have a ton of mutual guys that I played with. I knew a couple of guys. For the most part, it was pretty fresh and new, but everybody's been super good.”

Yerkes: You’ve boosted the offense up since you've gotten here. Talk about your linemates, and how you've helped elevate those guys as well.

Beckman: “Yeah, I think both those players (Brian Pinho, Chris Terry) are pretty dominant players and veteran players in this league. I feel privileged to be able to get on a line with them. Obviously, their resumes speak for themselves. They’re Super smart, skilled players. Like I said, I feel lucky to be able to play with them.”

Defenseman Isaiah George took an opportunity at the NHL level and ran with it after just five AHL games. He skated in 33 games for the Islanders, with a goal and four assists, and will undoubtedly be in the mix to earn an everyday role in 2025-26.

Yerkes had a few minutes to catch up with George.

Yerkes: What can you say about your first NHL stint?

Isaiah George: “When I was up there, it was great. They are great coaches, all the staff, all great guys, and really good to me. They made it easy when I was up there to play and play at my best. It was a great experience, a dream come true to get that opportunity. And since coming back, I’m just trying to round up my game, making plays, play hard and just try and stick with it.”

Yerkes: What do you have to do to get back and stick?

Isaiah George: “For my first time, you know, playing pro hockey, I got to learn what it's like, the day to day. So I took that with me, just how to prepare and recover good. I just saw how I can be effective, and the areas I need to work on. I just write that down, think about it, and I’m just trying to work on it down here.”