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Jackson Niedermayer has already heard the taunts and insults from opposing players whenever he hits the ice.
It’s just part of the game when you’re the son of one of the greatest players in NHL history.
Niedermayer, 17, is the son of Scott Niedermayer, the four-time Stanley Cup champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist and NHL Hall of Fame defenceman.
His parents have been his biggest supporters throughout his early career and he knows he’s going to hear “a lot of chirping” from opponents because of his father’s legendary career, but it’s not going to stop him from carving out his own niche in hockey, said Jackson.
“He’s my dad and I’ve taken as much as I can from him because he’s been through everything that I’m going to go through,” he said. “My attitude has always been to take in as much as I can and learn as much as I can from him.
“At the end of the day, he’s just my dad and I treat him as my dad. I don’t look at him in any special way as I know others do. I just try and keep learning from him and take it all in.”
The well-adjusted teenager just smiles when asked if opponents try to get under his skin. Because he’s only 17 years of age, Jackson knows opponents are going to continue to try and throw him off his game by mentioning his father whenever things might not go his way on the ice.
“Every game, I get something,” he said smiling. “It really doesn’t bother me too much. I’ve already learned to deal with it in my own way. I actually like it because it motivates me to do something good out there.”
His father was one of the best-skating defencemen in NHL history and could break a game open with his blazing speed and incredible offensive talent.
Jackson plays forward and admits his style of play is nothing like his father’s.
It’s much more in line with his uncle Rob, who enjoyed a stellar NHL career himself and played more than 1,100 regular season games over 12 years and played with his brother and Jackson’s dad on the 2007 Anaheim Ducks team that captured the Stanley Cup.
“I play forward, so I guess I’ll take after my uncle on that one I guess,” he said laughing. “I just try and do my own thing out on the ice.”
Jackson said he’s excited about signing up for classes at Penticton Secondary School beginning next week and completing his high school education in Canada.
Besides being part of a winning team that will again be chasing a British Columbia Hockey League championship, Jackson said his biggest goal in his rookie season is to obtain an NCAA Division 1 hockey scholarship.
“I’m going to wait and see what kind of offers I can get, but the recruiting process has been good so far,” he said. “I like it. I’m going to play it by ear. I’m looking to develop here in Penticton and take as much time as I need to improve as a player. This league is all about development and I know the best place to do it is right here, so I hope to have a good season and see where I’m at after this year.”
Less than two weeks after the start of training camp, Jackson said the group has already bonded and he’s looking forward to a fantastic season individually and with his teammates.
“It’s been perfect so far,” he said. “The older guys have been great in bringing the group together. Being one of the younger players on the team, it’s been good and they’ve helped out a lot.”
The fact the Vees draw some of the best crowds in Junior A hockey anywhere in Canada is exciting and a big reason why he chose to pursue his junior career with the Vees, he said.
“It’s a city that loves their hockey team, so the amazing fan support was definitely a big thing when I was looking at where I wanted to play,” he said. “Having a packed house every night is just awesome and being able to play in front of a crowd that wants to watch and hopes you do well is important.
“It’s definitely something I looked into before deciding to commit to the Vees. It’s amazing to see the way they treat the team and welcome the players into everything the city has to offer.”
Niedermayer grew up in Newport Beach, California and played the last two seasons with the Anaheim Ducks junior program. Last season, he was the team’s leading scorer with 23 goals and 19 assists in 34 games.
The transition to moving away from California and playing for the Vees is going to be much easier as his father and mother (Lisa) and his two younger brothers have moved from California to live here in Penticton.
His younger brother Josh is going to play this season with the Okanagan Hockey Association program.
He has one older brother attending university in California.
When he was looking at his hockey future after last season, the first place he and his family looked at was Penticton and the Vees, said the five-foot-ten, 195-pound winger.
“The winning culture here is known across the hockey world,” he said. “It’s second to none and really pulled me towards them. It was a no-brainer in my mind. They brought me here for a visit and it was awesome, so it was an easy decision.”
Jackson and his family arrived in Penticton three weeks ago and he got to meet several of his teammates and got back on the ice several times before training camp started early last week.
The adjustment to life in Penticton and hockey at a higher level has been seamless so far, he said.
“I got up here early because I wanted to skate with some of the guys and kind of started to fit in and it has been easy,” he said. “We’ve really bonded well and connected. It’s been easy and it’s been awesome.
“Penticton is a really nice town. It’s awesome and I love it up here. It’s like home already.”
For more on the Penticton Vees, click here.
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