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| Tim Jackman played for Minnesota State from 2000-02 before embarking on a pro career that saw him play for six NHL teams in 12 seasons. He's now a student-assistant coach for the Mavericks |
Most
kids who grow up playing the game of hockey in Minnesota dream of one day
making it to the National Hockey League.
Born
in Minot, N.D., Tim Jackman’s father worked for the railroad and was often
transferred all over the nation for work. Following a few years in
Brooklyn Park, Minn., and a year in Texas while Tim was in seventh grade, the
family moved back to Minneapolis, where his hockey career began to flourish. And
following two years of varsity hockey at Park Center High School and a short
stint with the Twin Cities Vulcans of the United States Hockey League, where he
had 11 goals and 19 assists in 25 games following his senior year of high
school, he headed to Mankato for his freshman year of college hockey with the
Mavericks.
“I
loved the opportunity they were willing to give me by taking a chance to let me
play right after my high school season so I thought that it would be a great
step in my development as a player,” said Jackman on his decision to play
college hockey for Minnesota State.
Jackman
played two seasons for the Mavericks where he had 25 goals and 28 helpers in 73
games and it was his after his freshman season in 2001 when he was selected in
the second round, 38th overall, by Columbus in the 2001 National Hockey League
Draft.
He
said he had known Columbus was interested after having a few meetings with them
before he was drafted. “Growing up I wasn’t much of an NHL fan, I watched
the North Stars a little, and was a big Wayne Gretzky fan. But I really watched
a lot of college hockey though, so I never envisioned myself being drafted or
playing in the NHL, I just couldn’t see it. It all just happened pretty
fast.”
He
signed with the Blue Jackets following his sophomore year with Minnesota State,
but looks back fondly of his time as a student-athlete in the Key City. “The
community and the fans were great,” said Jackman. “The buildup of the
weekdays going into the weekend and with the opportunity play college hockey on
Friday and Saturday nights with a great group of guys was special.” He
also noted that the college hockey model was an important ingredient in his
development as a player with the practice to games ratio, along with strength
and conditioning during the year serving in his growth as an athlete.
Jackman
began his pro career with Syracuse, the American Hockey League affiliate for
Columbus. He played there for a year and a half before making his NHL
debut on December 20, 2003 in a game against the Minnesota Wild in St. Paul. By
doing so, he became the first former Maverick to play a game in the NHL.
Last
year, at the age of 33 and going into his 12th pro season, Jackman went to camp
with Anaheim, but was experiencing back problems. Following two games with the
Ducks he was sent to San Diego of the AHL where he played another 22 games
before surgery ended his year. Having forged a professional career and playing
a physical game that saw him tally 32 goals and 43 assists for 75 points in 483
games over a span of 12 seasons with six different NHL teams, it was at this
point where the big forward decided he needed to start turning his attention to
things outside of his hockey career.
Now
at the age of thirty four he decided to return Mankato, starting a new chapter
for his family, which includes his wife, Chelsey, an 18-month old son and
another child on the way.
With
a desire to finish his degree, but wanting to continue on with the game, he
received the perfect opportunity from Mike Hastings and his staff, joining Minnesota
State as a student assistant coach.
“This
is something that I have really gotten excited about,” says Jackman, who
assists with practice, reviewing game tape and strategy. “I just want to
be someone that can help pass the message to the players, and sometimes just
encourage the players when I see something by trying to explain it and help
them out by relating it to what the coaches want. I just want to be a
positive influence to the program as a whole.” By working with Hastings
and the rest of the coaching staff, Jackman characterizes his work as "great
opportunity to learn some new things. I truly admire the way Coach Mike
Hastings carries himself and treats his players. He is very honest with his
players, he really cares. It’s great for the players to know it’s a safe
place to make a mistake because as long as you’re playing hard and learn from
it, and you’re having fun with it that’s all that matters.”
So
in a back-to-the-future kind of way, it’s hitting the books for Jackman. And
while he’s working toward the next phase of his professional career, one in
which he will likely teach and coach, he’s also assisting young
student-athletes prepare for the next aspect of their careers. For Tim Jackman, it’s come full cycle.
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