PHN Profile: Allen Americans’ Jarret Lukin

ALLEN, Texas – The Allen Americans of the Central Hockey League have experienced some incredible successes in their first three seasons – a trip to the President’s Cup Finals in just their first season, winning the Governor’s Cup in their second season and currently in their third season, they’re in an ongoing, night-to-night battle for first place in the Berry Conference with the Wichita Thunder.
 
A hockey team is only as good as its’ foundation and right at the heart and soul of the Americans foundation is one of only two players remaining that have been with the team since its founding, and the clubs first captain, forward Jarret Lukin.
 
The soft spoken, 5’ 11”, 185 lb Fort McMurray, Alberta native is a hockey player’s, hockey player who leads by example on and off the ice. As great as his efforts are on the ice at frustrating opposing teams, his geniality with Allen fans has inspired a relationship between the player and the Allen faithful that has developed into a strong bond.
 
Night after night, shift after shift, the speedy winger is a blur of red streaking across the ice like a whirling dervish, disrupting opposing teams’ power plays and frustrating even-strength breakouts as one of the league’s premiere fore checkers and penalty killers.
 
Lukin has been one of the main components in the Americans’ habitually strong penalty killing unit. It is a role that Lukin has performed since he began Junior hockey, and one that he takes great pride in.
 
“That started my first year of Junior,” Lukin said. “Coach Dean Evason (Kamloops Blazers of WHL), had confidence in me to play in those situations when I was 16, and I just kept going from there. I think my speed and other coaches along the way have definitely helped out. Macker and Mully have faith in me to do the job and it shows by our stats (Americans are ranked 2nd in the penalty kill at 85.11%). It’s something to take pride in – you need specialty teams to win hockey games.”
 

Lukin has also been a potent offensive threat for the Americans in all three seasons. Last year he bested his first season numbers of 32 points (14 G, 18 A) in 47 games with a tally of 43 points (21 G, 22 A) in 40 games  despite being plagued with injuries. This year he’s stayed healthy and is looking to continue to increase his offensive production for the club, but above all, his team’s success is what drives him.
 
“First and foremost is that the team wins and helping out the best I can is the most important thing but yeah, I do feel good (about his offensive numbers). It’s one objective each year to get better and better, it’s a lot more fun when you see yourself succeeding.” Lukin observed.
 
When asked about this season’s Americans squad, Lukin was upbeat and positive.
 
“Each year in hockey’s different; one thing that stands out is that in the first year we didn’t have as much pressure as we do now. Now the expectations are high because we’ve done so well and that’s where we want to be, to be a winning hockey club. I think the coach’s have done a good job in getting the right guys together and now it’s getting our team game and our system that we’ve been working hard on down solid, not only for now but for the playoffs to help us win a championship.” Lukin said.
 
Lukin credits his father for getting him his start in hockey, lacing up his skates when he was a toddler at the age of two, in an area that has had its fair share of hockey alumni.
 
“My dad got me into hockey,” Lukin reminisced. “I can’t really remember, but I know I started skating when I was 2 years old and started playing organized hockey when I was 4. Where I grew up, we had a good group of hockey players. One guy went to the NHL, one guy played in the NCAA and a year in the ECHL. Then there’s me, so yeah it was a good place to grow up.” Lukin said.
 
Due to Lukin’s style of play that is as relentless as it is tireless, in playing the game with a tremendous passion evident for all to see along with his easily approachable demeanor, he’s become a huge fan favorite. Jarret feels the same enthusiasm for his second home in Allen, Texas.
 
“I love Allen, it’s my third year back and I fall more in love with it every time I come back. Especially with all the sun shining and my hometown is buried in snow.” Lukin said with a chuckle. “I love the people; they’re very nice and polite and it feels just like home”. 
 
When asked about how he felt the team would fare the remainder of the season, Lukin didn’t hesitate to make his forecast.
 
“Last year we talked about how good a team we had and we were beating everyone all year and came up short, so I’m not going to predict anything but let’s just say we’re going to have a strong finish this year.” Lukin said.
 
The Americans do look to be on track for a strong finish, could the third time be the charm for a club still looking for that first Cup victory? With players of the caliber and character as Jarret Lukin, the Americans can not be counted out.  
Much attention is always paid to the high-profile goal scorers, often overlooked are the core role-players on a team. It is the role-player whose actions on the ice are the genesis of the team’s strength that allows the prolific scorers to shine in the spotlight. Jarret Lukin is just that type of player, a hockey player’s, hockey player.
 
Contact the author at maurice.fitzgerald@prohockeynews.com

Contact the photographer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com