Defenseman Pelletier will bring smooth skating, puck-handling skills to DI Lady Flames this fall

Incoming defenseman Isabelle Pelletier will bring an offensive side to her game, with the ability to skate the puck through the neutral zone.

Defenseman Pelletier will bring smooth skating, puck-handling skills to DI Lady Flames this fall

4/12/2024 6:45:00 PM | Women's D1 Hockey

Isabelle Pelletier, from New Brunswick, is the first defensive recruit in a class that already includes three forwards and one goalie.

Isabelle-Pelletier-signing — Isabelle Pelletier, who plans to study Exercise Science with a Therapeutic Science cognate, signs her letter of intent to play at Liberty.

Liberty University ACHA Division I women's hockey Head Coach Chris Lowes announced defenseman Isabelle Pelletier as the newest commitment of the Lady Flames' Fall 2024 incoming class this week.

Pelletier is from Moncton, New Brunswick, just East of Maine across the Canadian border.

Isabelle-Pelletier-portrait — Pelletier made the Rookie All-Star Team New Brunswick's MMFHL

She scored 9 goals and distributed 11 assists in 38 games for the EDZA East Rockets and was selected to the Rookie All-Star Team in her first season in the Maritimes Major Female Hockey League (MMFHL).

"Isabelle is a kid our scout saw at Stoney Creek in the fall and was very high on from the start," Lowes said.

With the Lady Flames graduating Aislyn Stretch and Priscilla Ziefle, they have the need to replenish their defensive ranks.

"We worked off a very short list of defensemen for this class as it was imperative we found the right girls that make us better and fit in our locker room," Lowes said, noting that he and his staff and Liberty's players had the opportunity to meet Pelletier during a visit to campus in February.

"We were immediately impressed with her as an athlete and person," Lowes said. "I am excited for her to arrive on campus and get the season going."

Pelletier, who plans to pursue a B.S. in Exercise Science — Therapeutic Science, was equally impressed with the hospitality she received during her stay and the family atmosphere the Lady Flames have created in their locker room.

"Liberty gave me a feeling of home," she said. "I loved the campus and what the school offers to the students and how happy I was during my visit. I look forward to spending my university path at this wonderful university and being able to play the sport I always loved."

Lowes favorably compared Pelletier's playing style to that of Lady Flames senior Peyton Carle, who will be returning as a graduate defenseman this fall.

"Isabelle is a smooth skater who possesses soft hands which should make the transition to the college game smooth and quick," he said. "She has some similarities with Carle, which is a huge compliment, as she sees the ice well, makes a great first pass, and will (skate the puck out to the) red line on her own. I wouldn't be surprised to see her contribute offensively early in her career as well."

Going on the attack happens to be one of her favorite things to do on the ice.

"I am a defensive player that loves to take care of making a good first pass and then being able to go have fun in the offensive zone and create scoring opportunities," Pelletier said.

Over the next four months, as she prepares to make her collegiate debut, Pelletier will ramp up her strength and cardio-vascular conditioning.

"I have started doing personal training in July of last year and absolutely fell in love with working out in the gym with my trainer," Pelletier said, noting that she also enjoys play soccer in the summertime with her friends.

She is looking forward to forming lifelong friendships with her new teammates, including a sizable incoming freshmen class.

"I am excited to be able to expand my skills set and meet new people along way and new friends, and to be able to travel with my teammates and best friends," Pelletier said.

She is the fifth recruit in the Lady Flames' incoming Fall 2024 class that also includes forwards Presley Ellis from Ontario, Hayley Lee from British Columbia, and Chloe Lownsbury from Minnesota, as well as goalie Brooklyn Adams from Ontario.