The All-Star Break is here and although there is no ECHL all-star game this season, all team’s players get a three-day break.
That means no practices, community appearances, or games. During this time, some players might head for warmer weather or go home and see some family and/or familiar faces.
For Nailers forward, Kyle Jackson, he’ll see some familiar faces right after the All-Star Break, too.
Jackson’s hockey career before juniors started with him playing for his hometown, the Ottawa Jr. Senators. The Jr. Senators play in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL), a circuit that’s one of the many steps hockey players can play before major junior hockey. Jackson only played one season for Ottawa, but he made it count.
Averaging a point per game, Jackson had 54 points in just 51 games. That led to the forward being named the CCHL Rookie of the Year, and the Jr. Senators would go on to win the CCHL championship that season. Jackson had 13 points in their 14 playoff games.
To conclude the 2018-2019 season, Jackson would go to the team that drafted him in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft. The North Bay Battalion selected Jackson in the third round of the 2018 OHL’s Priority Selection Draft and he would finish the 2018-2019 season for Battalion with three points in 12 games played.
_____________________________________________
Slap Shots
Name: Kyle Jaskson Position: Forward Career games: 89
Points: 76 Favorite ’80’s Band: Guns n’ Roses
_____________________________________________
The 2019-2020 season would be Jackson’s first full season in North Bay. In 62 games, he finished with 22 points. Jackson was the team’s sixth-leading scorer and was one of two players to play in every game that season. The “19-20” season was cut short in the OHL due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The 2020-2021 season also was not played due to the COVID-19 Pandemic guidelines throughout Canada.
When the hockey world resumed for the 2021-2022 season, Jackson would have an offensive outburst.
He finished that regular season with 62 points with 30 of them being goals in just 45 games. Jackson finished fourth in North Bay’s team scoring and goals. The Battalion would make the playoffs that season but was eliminated in the third round by the Hamilton Bulldogs. Jackson played in 12 postseason games that season and had 14 points.
Before playing his last season in Major Junior, Jackson was drafted in the 2022 NHL Draft by the Seattle Kraken in the 7th round. This was Seattle’s second-ever draft class in team history.
“Probably my first year of junior, I was playing in the CCHL. Junior A when I was drafted to the OHL and had a really good year there. That was a really good year and (we) had lots of lots of success, so, you know, moving next year into the OHL, had a good year and kind of just, you know, realize you have the skill, you have to potentially, you just kind of put in the work at that point,” said Jackson on when he realized professional hockey was on the table.
Jackson finished his major junior career with another dandy of a season. In 67 games, he scored 83 points, 31 of which were goals. Jackson was the second-leading scorer for North Bay and second in goals. The Battalion made the playoffs again but fell in the third round again, this time to the Peterborough Petes in seven games. Jackson played in 20 games in the postseason and finished with 18 points.
That offseason saw Jackson start his professional career. He signed an American Hockey League (AHL) contract with the Coachella Valley Firebirds the affiliate of the Seattle Kraken. Jackson, though, never suited up for a game with the Firebirds.
He was assigned to their ECHL affiliate the Kansas City Mavericks, and his rookie season saw him accumulate 44 points in 53 games, 14 of which were goals. The Mavericks would go on to win the Bradham Cup which is given to the team with the most points in the regular season.
Kansas City would make it to the Kelly Cup Finals before falling to the Florida Everblades in five games. Jackson appeared in five postseason games.
This past offseason saw Jackson sign with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins on an AHL contract, and before the season started, Jackson was assigned to Wheeling. He has had a great start to the season. At the halfway point of the season, Jackson has 32 points, 15 of which are goals. The goals are already better than in his first season of professional hockey. The Nailers are also off to a great start as they are in first place in the North Division with a record of 26-8-2-0 for 54 points.
The Nailers and Jackson’s first game back from the All-Star Break was last night against Jackson’s former squad, the Kansas City Mavericks, and he scored two goals in Wheeling’s 4-3 win.
“They’re a good team. They’re fast and they’re a skilled team. They can move the puck well and have good goaltending. That was one of the big things last year and seeing here (in Wheeling), but you know, they’re deep too. Should be a fun three games,” said Jackson when asked about what fans should expect out of Kansas City.
Kansas City and the Nailers have two more matchups at Wesbanco Arena this evening and tomorrow afternoon. Tonight is “’80’s Night” with a postgame concert on the ice with cover band “Tongue and Cheek” performing. Then to close out the weekend, Sunday is a postgame skate with the players with odd jersey numbers. For more information or to purchase tickets call 304-234-GOAL or visit wheelingnailers.com
The Wheeling Nailers, considered one of the top things to do in Wheeling, West Virginia, provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Ohio Valley.
