A new season always brings promise for players new and familiar to the league but for one particular returning forward, the season brings redemption to the top of his mind. Jackson Niedermayer missed a large chunk of the 2018/19 season for the Vees, suffering an injury that made him unavailable for late season and playoff hockey but the 18-year-old is geared up for a strong return to the ice.
“The coaching staff and training staff gave me everything I needed to get back to where I was and I actually feel better than I did last year.” Niedermayer said, “Having Matt Fraser and Evan McIntrye here, training with them and pushing each other has been good and being able to get over the mental aspect of being sidelined and hitting the ice will be good as well.”
The relationship between Niedermayer and McIntyre has a friendly competitiveness about it with both looking to top one another in workouts, “It was always my plan to stay in Penticton through the summer and train here so it was good to have someone else stay in town and have someone who pushes you in the gym and competing in that aspect as well.”
California is quickly becoming a hockey hotbed and the Newport Beach native is excited for the future of hockey from the West Coast, “Growing up, there’s definitely a sense that hockey has grown down there and the NHL teams have done all they can to help the development of the game,” mentioned Niedermayer, “It’s exciting to see coming from California and seeing all of my buddies come up and play at the same level.”
Niedermayer played three seasons with the Anaheim Jr. Ducks program before coming to Penticton and a first season which the 6’0″, 198-pound forward quite enjoyed, “Obviously, being injured isn’t how I imagined my first year to go but the guys welcomed me into the team and made the transition into junior hockey that much easier.”
“Part of the transition was coming to Penticton and seeing how much the Vees meant to the community and how well they are supported,” Niedermayer continued, “You come to Canada and everyone knows who the Vees are and it was pretty cool to get to experience hockey in a town like this and I look forward to getting to live that again this season.”
While with the Vees a season ago, Niedermayer landed a commitment to Arizona State University, where the 18-year-old will further his hockey career with the Sun Devils. A big decision but one that was made easier by the proximity to home and a team that is on the rise in the Grand Canyon State, “When Coach (Greg) Powers as well as Coach (Mike) Field came up, I knew it was the place I wanted to be,” said Niedermayer, “What they did last year in being ranked in the Top 10 in the Nation over the season and making it to the Regional Tournament was exciting too.”
“Living in California, Arizona is right next door and it’ll be like playing at home and I’m excited to get there and create something but at the end of the day, coming back here for another season and trying to win a National Championship with the Vees is where my mindset is at.”
There certainly was no shortage of people to look up to and role models in Jackson’s life growing up while father Scott and brother Rob played on the Anaheim Ducks in the National Hockey League. Niedermayer’s cousin, Jason Strudwick, also carved out an impressive NHL resume of his own and were there every step of the way in helping Jackson develop his hockey skills.
“Growing up, I was very fortunate to have my Dad to talk to and get their aspect on everything and learn from him,” Niedermayer stated, “I take his advice and learn as much as I can from him but at the end of the day, I don’t see him as anything other than ‘Dad’ so it’s nice to have that kind of a person to look up to and help with any questions I have.”
Niedermayer and the rest of the Vees are set to hit the ice in August 19th ahead of the 2019/20 season with the first game of the exhibition schedule taking place on Wednesday, August 21st in West Kelowna against the Warriors. Season tickets are on sale now and are available by contacting Laura Carleton at (250) 493-8337 ext. 4.
