Flexible, reliable, and supportive are some of the many qualities of a team player.
A team needs those types of players to experience success. There has to be the “glue” guy in the locker room, too, so you know who is going to have your back.
The Wheeling Nailers have a few players that come to mind that fit that mold, and David Jankowski is one of them.
He comes from a family with a good hockey pedigree. With multiple family members who were or are currently in the NHL, life might be daunting what with his brother Mark being one of the most recent currently with the Nashville Predators and once formerly of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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Slap Shots
Name: David Jankowski Position: Forward Career Games: 117
Points: 66 Favorite Pittsburgh Penguin: Mark Jankowski
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David, meanwhile, continues to forge his path in Wheeling.
Jankowski started his hockey career with the Chilliwack Chiefs in the British Columbia Hockey League. He played in only seven games with the Chiefs and scored four points. During that same season, he spent most of it with the Hawkesbury Hawks of the Central Canada Hockey League. He would succeed more with the Hawks, scoring 41 points in 40 games, 20 of which were goals.
Jankowski would spend his last season of junior hockey with the Hawks again the next season. This time around he was named captain for Hawkesbury and went on an offensive tear. Jankowski played in 60 games that season, and he finished with 90 points. His 38 goals and 52 assists were both team highs as he was the Hawk’s leading scorer. The next closest player to Jankowski’s total was 38 points behind him with 52 points. The Hawks would make the playoffs but were eliminated in the second round.
After junior hockey was over, Jankowski decided to go to college. The Dundas, Ontario native chose to attend St. Lawerence University in upstate New York. During his freshman season, Jankowski played every game for the Saints. He finished with 14 points, eight of which were goals, and was tied for fifth in scoring for the team. However, the Saints struggled on the ice, only winning six games all season.
The next year saw Jankowski’s numbers dip slightly – he played only 25 games, he finished with 11 points. However, he was still among the Saints’ top six scorers that season. St. Lawrence had the same struggles, only winning four games.
Jankowski’s junior season was certainly off to a better start. He contributed 12 points in 15 games and was the team’s second-leading scorer. Jankowski had four goals and had a plus-one rating. The Saints were off to a better start too, winning six of their first 17 games. The season was cut short.
The COVID-19 pandemic shut down the rest of the season and most of the world.
The 2021-2022 season saw Jankowski hit a couple of career highs. In 33 games played, he finished with 16 points, 12 of which were assists. Jankowski was the team’s third-leading scorer and second in assists. He was also named the team captain. St. Lawrence had a much better season, too, finishing with 11 wins—the most in Jankowski’s time at St. Lawrence and more than his first two seasons combined.
The 2022-2023 season saw Jankowski in a new place for his last season of college hockey. Michigan Tech was the destination for him. As for many college athletes who had a season cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jankowski was granted an extra season of eligibility. He played in 28 games as a husky and put up nine points. Jankowski played with now Nailers teammate Logan Pietila at Michigan Tech too.
At the end of his college season, Jankowski decided to turn pro, signing with the Nailers and debuting on March 31st, 2023, in a game at the Indy Fuel. Jankowski would get his first professional point the next week in a home game against the Iowa Heartlanders and netted his first professional goal the following night against the Fort Wayne Komets. He would finish his first taste of pro hockey by having points in his final five games.
The Nailers and Coach Derek Army would bring back Jankowski for the next season for his first full professional season. (David’s brother Mark played with Coach Army during Army’s time at Providence College.) He would pick up where he left off from the season before scoring a goal in the first three games of the season. Jankowski would wind up playing in 69 games for Wheeling last season and finished with 37 points 11 of which being goals.
He would also suit up in seven playoff games, scoring a goal and having three assists.
“It was cool to make the playoffs. It came down to the wire in the regular season; we had that late push. A few teams are going for those last few spots in our division, so, it made it a little more special to come down to the wire there and go through that with the guys, staff, and everybody. Then being able to win that first series that had a lot of adversity it was just a cool grind with the guys,” Jankowski mentioned.
This past offseason saw Jankowski return to the Nailers where he’s been off to a good start. In 41 games, he has six goals and 17 assists with a plus-12 rating. Jankowski has been asked to do a multitude of things this season including playing a handful of games at defensemen.
“I’m just trying to do anything I can to help the team. Whether that be at forward or like uh I was at the beginning of the year a little bit on defense. Just trying to do whatever I can and do whatever’s asking of me and do it to the best of my ability,” said Jankowski when asked about his time on the blue line.
Wheeling continues a stretch of eight different opponents in eight games this upcoming weekend. On Friday, the Nailers hit the road and visit the Indy Fuel before coming home on Saturday for Pittsburgh Penguins night. It’s a BIG 6 promotion night that honors the Nailer’s affiliation with the Penguins. The team will wear specialty jerseys that will be up for auction during the game.
Get there early as former Penguin and two-time Stanley Cup champion Kevin Stevens will be the night’s special guest. There will be a Nailers trading card giveaway along with a trading card showcase in the lobby.
For more information or the purchase tickets call 304-234-GOAL or visit wheelingnailers.com.
The Nailers, considered one of the top things to do in Wheeling, W.Va., provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Ohio Valley.
