WHEELING, W.Va. - The Wheeling Nailers, ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, announced the team has signed forward Christian Isackson to a contract for the 2018-19 season.
Isackson, 26, returns to North America after spending the last two seasons in Europe, suiting up for Gap HC in France and the Milton Keynes Lightning in the United Kingdom. His professional career began in the ECHL during the 2015-16 campaign, when he split the season between the Colorado Eagles and Wichita Thunder. After producing five points in 28 games with the Eagles, Isackson ramped up his offensive game, tallying 24 points (11g-13a) in 42 contests with the Thunder.
Prior to turning pro, the Pine City, Minnesota native attended the University of Minnesota. Isackson's best season with the Golden Gophers was his sophomore year of 2012-13, when he compiled 20 points in 40 games. The Golden Gophers reached the NCAA Tournament all four years that he was in the lineup, which included two trips to the Frozen Four. The University of Minnesota also won the Big Ten Tournament championship during his senior year of 2014-15. Isackson also played one season with the United States Hockey League's Sioux Falls Stampede, after being selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.