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Jason Forward / Abitibi Eskimos – NOJHL

After 80 Games

by: Alex Mondin

18 September 2012

Jason Forward isn’t your typical 20 year old who attends University or College and is challenged with a wide range of arts or sciences on a daily basis. Instead he anchors the special teams for Paul Gagne, GM and head coach of the Abitibi Eskimos, in the Northern Ontario Junior “A” Hockey League (NOJHL).

While killing penalties and taking key face-offs, Forward has established himself as a reliable force in Iroquois Falls, but there’s more going on with him then his polite and courteous demeanor. He’s well travelled for a 20 year old, having played in Europe at 16 for the Luxembourg Huskies in the French League, followed by a stint at Saint Andrews College (SAC) in Aurora Ontario where their JV prep hockey team won a championship. Since then he’s played for 5 Junior teams, including Kirkland Lake and Abitibi, both in the NOJHL. A brief visit to the SJHL with Weyburn never panned out but the bright young Forward bounced back when a transfer of a veteran to the team shortchanged his plans. He’s been to both Green Bay and Chicago in the USHL for tryouts but again missed the mark. At 6 feet 2 inches and 205 lbs he’s still known as one of the fastest skaters on the Eskimos and a punishing checker from the centre position. Last year he was the Assistant Captain in Kirkland Lake with the Blue Devils when ownership problems resulted in the team folding and a new club emerging. Forward explains, “it was difficult to play against my old team mates, but my billet in KL was terrific and I made some good friends while playing there. Here with the Eskimos we have a long winning tradition and the best coach in the league in Paul Gagne.” Gagne brought back fewer than 10 players this year and will have his work cut out for him to teach the systems to a younger group. Forward knows first-hand how the new guys feel, “I was spinning for a couple of weeks before it all calmed down last year. If we play Coach’s system we will be hard to beat.\”

After 80 games of Junior hockey, this friendly giant softly answers the question of what makes hockey special. In Forward’s words, “it’s a sport where, if but for a moment, you can be the best player on the ice. If you put a few of those moments together, you could be great!” When queried about the NHL strike and lockout he offered, “money doesn’t bring Value to the Game but you have to reach down to the Pee-Wee level or lower these days to find a place where it’s not a factor.” Jason’s ambition is to play NCAA hockey for a school in the US where he lived for 5 years as a boy. His priority for an education over a minor pro career mirrors the direction many junior players are taking which has only strengthened the NOJHL and other Tier 1 leagues. For now however, he’ll remain an Eskimo and play a significant role for the club while mentoring the new players. “You have to give something back,” said Forward, “it’s your duty as a player and as a veteran.”

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Alex Mondin is a hockey logistician with Elite Prospects (EP). EP follows junior and professional players throughout North America and Europe providing accurate statistics and player movement information. http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=149015 http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/jasonforwardicehockey/images/b/b9/NOJHL_Jason_Forward_After_80_Games.jpg

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Category: Sports
Keywords: NOJHL, Hockey, Abitibi Eskimos, Jason Forward