The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack have their third prospect committed for the 2012-13 BC Intercollegiate Hockey League season. And this time, they didn’t have to go far to get him.
The WolfPack are pleased to announce that 20-year old forward Tyler Jackson will be joining them in the fall. Jackson was the captain of the Kamloops Storm of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League last season where he had 76 points in 46 games and 78 penalty minutes. He added 10 goals and 10 assists with six minutes in penalty time in 13 play off games.
General Manager Chris Hans: "Tyler had an exceptional junior career with the Storm and we are looking forward to adding his skill set to our lineup. It is great when we can bring a player with his character to our program."
Added coach Don Schulz: "I am very pleased to have Tyler commit to the WolfPack. I've coached Tyler before; he'll bring speed, skill and heart to the program. He's a very unselfish player with a work ethic to match. He brings the type of character that I like in our lineup and should fit in like a glove in the dressing room. Tyler has played with and against a large number of our returnees and should feel very comfortable. I am very excited to be his coach once again and I expect some significant contributions from Tyler's play."
Jackson was already enrolled at Thompson Rivers. He is involved in the Bachelor of Science program as he has designs on being a chiropractor in the future.
"I have been going to school here for the last couple of years," the 5’8” Jackson states. "My association with Don is a big plus. I’ve gotten to know Chris Hans and he seems like a good guy. The hockey program here has been strong. I am honored to keep on playing and becoming a part of the team."
Schulz was Jackson’s coach in Pee Wee “AAA”.
"He was a great coach from what I could remember," Jackson laughed. "I'm looking forward to working with him again."
Jackson played four seasons in the KIJHL for the Storm. He played 184 games scoring 63 goals, adding 117 assists (180 points) with 20 power play goals, five short handed goals and six game winning goals (three of them this past season). His coach this past season was former WHL and NHL player Geoff Smith.
"He is a smaller player and reminds me a lot of Steve Yzerman," the former Oiler, Panther and New York Ranger said. "He is a great skater, plays well defensively and on the power play. Tyler is a well rounded player and was a pleasure to coach."
Like Yzerman, Jackson believes that his strength on the ice is as a face off man.
"I'm small but I am pretty quick. I also love to kill penalties."
Smith says Jackson was a great captain: "When you give someone the “C” you have a lot of respect for him. Tyler was someone who got that from the other players and myself."
He points to Game 6 of the KIJHL playoffs with the Sicamous Eagles as a good example of Jackson’s leadership capabilities.
"We were down 3-2 after the first period,” Smith says. "Tyler pulled the players together and gave them a speech. The result was the teams total demeanor changed in the second period and we wound up winning."
Jackson admits that going to school and playing hockey the last couple of years was a challenge for him: "It was very difficult to go to school and play with the Storm. That is why it was so difficult for me to make the decision to finish my Junior career off instead of going to school right away. It affected my grades. I am happy now that I will be able to continue on my educational path and with the BCIHL revolving around studies, I should get the grades I need to get into chiropractor school in the future."
Jackson has gone to a few WolfPack games in the future and is looking forward to seeing how he does.
"It's good hockey. There are a lot of good players out there. I’m excited to be playing before some good fans as well."
Like his junior team—the Storm—the WolfPack are very involved in community activities like Toys for Kids, Breakfast for Babies and Wendy’s Dreamlift..
Jackson says being a role model is something he relishes.
"I think it’s great. You get fans always supporting you so it’s only fair that you go out and support them anyway you can to give back."
Jackson joins Anthony Delong (6’1” forward, Castlegar Rebels, KIJHL) and Brennan Wright (6’4” forward, Owen Sound/Sarnia OHL-LaRonge Ice Wolves, SJHL) as players committing to the WolfPack for next season.
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