Leahy family and friends heading to Petes game to cheer on one of their own
Niagara IceDogs rookie is a member of talented, musical Lakefield clan
As a member of one of Canada’s most famous musical families it’s no surprise Niagara IceDogs rookie Isaac Enright’s talents aren’t limited to the ice.
His mother, Agnes, is one of 11 siblings from Lakefield’s renowned Leahy family. As a youngster Isaac was introduced to piano and dance and gravitated toward accordion. Also from a large family of eight siblings, Isaac’s real passion, as it has become for the family’s five boys, became hockey.
The Leahy family will be well represented Thursday night when Enright makes his first OHL visit to the Memorial Centre to face the Peterborough Petes.
“I’ve always wanted to at least expose them to music because it was such a big part of our lives,” said Agnes. “What they choose to do with that ultimately becomes what they choose to do with it.”
Agnes and her husband, Mark Enright, who runs a highway construction business in the Ottawa area called Bonnechere Excavating Inc., live in Cobden, Mark’s hometown, in the Ottawa Valley. They also exposed their children to sports. Isaac first picked up a hockey stick at age four.
“We got him involved on a recreational level,” said Agnes. “Sport of any kind build good character and hockey happened to be what they seemed interested in.”
Growing up on a dairy farm, Mark never played minor hockey but he loved the sport.
“We would play on every patch of ice,” Mark said. “There was a little outdoor rink not far from where we grew up and we’d play there constantly. I’ve been a fan all my life, but I can’t claim the talent.”
Isaac started in Cobden’s Muskrat minor hockey program and in peewee joined the Ottawa Valley Titans. In minor midget he was a teammate of Petes rookie Mason McTavish on the Pembroke Lumber Kings U18s.
Agnes said there are parallels between excellence in music and sports.
“If you want to be good at anything you really have to put time in and get serious about it,” she said. “That choice was left to Isaac.”
And he put in the work.
He was selected to Team Ontario for the Canada Winter Games in February. He was Niagara’s first-round draft pick in April. He just returned from representing Canada at the World U17 Hockey Challenge.
“He’s been so fortunate to have amazing opportunities come his way,” said Agnes. “He’s worked hard. We’re very proud of him. Where it goes from here is really up to him.”
While Isaac never lived in the Peterborough area Thursday will be a special night for the family.
“There are a lot of supportive family and friends in the area, and I’m sure there will be a good turnout,” said Agnes.
NOTES: Nick Robertson will not return this weekend as his broken finger heals, said Petes coach Rob Wilson. Matt McNamara could return from a lower body injury, said Wilson. The Petes also welcome Mason McTavish and J.R. Avon back from the World U17 Hockey Challenge. The Petes also visit the Barrie Colts on Saturday night. McTavish practised this week with Semyon Der-Arguchintsev and Liam Kirk. Avon was with Max Grondin and Cameron Butler.
Peterborough’s J.R. Avon is tied up by Niagara IceDogs defenceman Isaac Enright as goalie Tucker Tynan covers up the puck during OHL pre-season action on Sept. 14 at the Cavan Monaghan Community Centre. Enright was selected to Team Ontario for the Canada Winter Games.