ST. JOHN’S, Newfoundland and Labrador – No player on the St. John’s IceCaps roster is more excited about Friday’s home opener against the Hamilton Bulldogs than right winger Jason King.
King grew up in Newfoundland and Labrador, in the west coast city of Corner Brook, making him the lone local player on the 2011-12 edition of the IceCaps.
Jason King of the St. John%27s IceCaps. Photo by Jeff Parsons/Courtesy St. John%27s IceCaps
“It’s awesome, no question about it. It’s pretty exciting to play pro hockey at home; it’s great for me and my family. This is something every player dreams about,” said King. “To do so with such a great organization makes it even better. Management here in St. John’s is treating us really well, and we’re part of a first-class organization in Winnipeg. They’ve put us in a situation to succeed.”
King is a veteran professional hockey player, having begun his pro career in 2002. He has played 59 career NHL games between stints with the Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks, with 12 goals, 11 assists and 23 points to show for his efforts.
He has also played in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose and Portland Pirates, and in the Swedish Elite League with Skelleftea HC.
King spent the past three seasons in the DEL, the top league in Germany, including the past two years with the Hamburg Freezers. According to IceCaps head coach Keith McCambridge, King’s experience is obvious every time he steps on the ice and is a definite asset to a young team such as the IceCaps.
“Jason is a very intelligent player. He sees the ice very well and he’s got a great skill set. He’s played at a high level for a long time, so he has a great presence in the dressing room,” said McCambridge.
As the only player on the IceCaps roster that grew up in Newfoundland and Labrador, King has become an instant fan favourite in St. John’s. Fans recognize him on and off the ice and he has quickly become a willing and positive ambassador for the team.
McCambridge says the fact King is a local boy helps the rest of the IceCaps realize how important the team is to the hockey fans of St. John’s and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
“He has a lot of pride in being from this province and he knows what this team means to the City of St. John’s. To have guys like that in the dressing room is really important because they really drive home the passion that is in this city and this province,” said McCambridge.
King is expected to play a top-six forward role with the IceCaps, a job he has flourished in throughout his career. Armed with a quick release and a heavy, accurate shot, King has proven to be a goal scorer and playmaker at every level he’s played.
He hopes to use these skills to put up solid offensive numbers for the IceCaps and possibly earn a call up to the Winnipeg Jets at some point in the season.
“I hope so. That’s my ultimate goal. I can’t be satisfied with just playing in the AHL,” said King. “I want to play well here and help this team win. But my ultimate goal is to play in the NHL and I hope to get back there.”
After playing professionally in a number of leagues since 2002, King recognizes a good team when he sees one. After practicing and playing with the IceCaps since early September, he is confident the team will more than hold its own in the AHL this year.
“I think we’re going to be really competitive,” said King. “We’re going to have a deep roster. It’s a new group that hasn’t played together before and we have things to learn, but we’re going in the right direction.”
Contact Darcy.MacRae@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.