ANYANG, Republic of Korea – Following the announcement of defenseman Brad Fast’s retirement after the past three seasons with Anyang Halla, the team announced on Tuesday that another blueliner, Ric Jackman, has been signed to a multi-year deal. 
After being pursued by the team for several years, Jackman has agreed to a three-year contract, committing himself to Halla’s continued success on the ice. The veteran defenseman has no doubt that he will be able to make a big contribution to the club.
“I can bring leadership, experience and some offense, as well as a physical presence on the blue line,” Jackman said. “I have heard nothing but great things about the City of Anyang and the hockey club. I expect (Halla) to be a top team in the league and to compete for a championship every year.
The 6′ 2”, 180 pound native of Toronto, Ontario is expected to arrive in Korea on August 7th. Jackman, 33, was drafted in the first round (fifth overall) by the Dallas Stars in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. During his 14-year professional career, he registered 77 points (19 G, 58 A) and 166 penalty minutes playing with the Stars, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Florida Panthers and the Anaheim Ducks, where he contributed to the their 2007 Stanley Cup Championship.
Ric Jackman
His 231 career NHL games, is the second most among Halla import players since Esa Tikkanen (877) and is the seventh most among the league’s full-time imports (all-time), following Tikkanen, Shjon Podein (699), Derek Plante (450), Tyson Nash (374), defenseman Steve McKenna (373) and goaltender Jamie McLennan (254).
Respectively, he is the highest NHL draft pick player ever to join the Asia League and is one of only four import players (including Tikkanen, Podein, Plante) with a Stanley Cup Ring. After parts of five seasons in the NHL, Jackman opted to sign overseas with Salzburg EC in Austria in the summer of 2007. He also played for Leksand IF in the second highest league in Sweden, HockeyAllsvenskan as well as EHC Biel (Swiss-A). Jackman split last season with HC Slovan Bratislava in the Slovak Extraliga and the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL) posting a combined 27 points (7 G, 20 A) in 39 games.
On the international stage, Jackman helped Team Canada capture a gold medal at the 1997 World Junior Championships as well as the 2007 Spengler Cup. Halla’s scout & interpreter, Samuel Kim, who strongly recommended Jackman, believes he will be a strong addition to the club’s roster.
“He is a offensive defenseman with a bomb of a shot and is excellent on the power play,” Kim said. With Jackman’s addition, we are able to beef up the blue line. He is very physical…and that’s what we wanted.”
He becomes the fifth North American import (all-time) to join Halla, following forward Brock Radunske and defensemen Brad Fast, Jon Awe and Dustin Wood. Meanwhile Fast, 30, announced that he is hanging up his skates after an eight-year professional career. He plans to run a hockey school and start coaching.
Brad Fast
A third-round pick (84th overall) of the Carolina Hurricanes in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Fast played the majority of his career with the American Hockey League’s Lowell Lock Monsters, Manchester Monarchs prior to heading across the pond for three seasons with Langnau (Swiss A), Salzburg EC (Austria) and Ingolstadt ERC (DEL).
Fast signed with Halla in May of 2008. He originally signed a one-year deal and later became the first import player to be named assistant captain in franchise history. In February 2009, Fast re-signed for two more years.
During his time with the team, Fast registered 70 points (17 G, 53 A) and 64 penalty minutes in 73 regular-season games and contributed to consecutive Asia League championships in 2010 and 2011.
“I would like to thank the Anyang Halla Ice Hockey club for the past three seasons. I am very appreciative of Chairman Chung, team management, the office staff, my teammates, and the fans for their friendship and professionalism during my time in Korea,” Fast said. “I had a great time playing and living in Korea and will miss being a part of the team and the wonderful culture. ”
Updates: Jon Awe signed a one-year deal with HC Valpellice in Italy’s top division, Serie A1. He is schedule to report the club early September. Dustin Wood , who had signed ‘try-out’ deal with HC Ceske Budejovice in the Czech Extraliga, has reportedly waved-off the contract and is searching for another option.
Contact the writer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com
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Photo Credits: Anyang Halla Hockey Club
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