Earlier this week, Jordan Power signed his NLI to play his college hockey at Clarkson. Originally a St. Lawrence commit, the 2001-born defenseman has 13 points (all assists) in 16 games for the Lincoln Stars (USHL) this season.
Neutral Zone scouts have praised his abilities on the breakout.
“He’s a polished skater with four-way mobility and the agility and quickness to play tight defense and control his gaps,” our scouts said. “He was excellent on puck retrievals showing the ability to win races to pucks, turn up ice and move the puck quickly and accurately. A lot of young defenders get tunnel vision and work the boards on the breakout, but Power has great vision and poise with the puck and isn’t afraid to hit the center in the middle of the ice or even go across ice to the weak side winger.”
NZ: There were a lot of changes at St. Lawrence since you originally committed there, including a coaching change, but what was the reason you decided to re-open your recruitment?
Power: “For me, it was just a hockey decision. The coaching change played a part, but for me, I think the decision was just based on Clarkson being a better opportunity for me to try something new.”
NZ: When you did re-open your recruitment, what about Clarkson made it stand out?
Power: “Going through the process before, I wanted to learn from the first time and I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted. I wanted to go to a top program, a program that is competitive and I love the coaching staff there. They’re doing an excellent job and I want to go there and hopefully win a national championship. The cherry on top is that it’s only an hour and a half from home. The campus is a great fit for my personality and for me as a person as a hockey player.”
NZ: Have you been following their progression as a program? They’ve really come on the last few years.
Power: “I’ve definitely followed them. Every year they’ve been getting better and better and inching their way closer to a national championship. The coaching staff has done an excellent job building the whole program. I really like the way they play and their system.”
NZ: How do you feel like your game will blend in with the Clarkson style?
Power: “I can definitely improve more in my D-zone, and the coaches there will be excellent help. I hope I can come in and bring some of my offensive traits and help score some goals as a young defenseman. I can learn a lot from the coaches and especially the other players there. Everyone who goes there has gotten better, so I know the coaches will help me develop and improve.”
NZ: You were drafted by Mississauga in the OHL. Was there ever a thought of playing OHL for you? Or did you know you wanted to go the college route? Obviously there are pluses to both.
Power: “I didn’t have my mind made up when I was 14 or 15 years old. A lot of Canadian kids want to play Major Junior, but college hockey has done a great job recruiting more Canadians. There are a lot of presentations and opportunities to learn about college hockey when we’re younger.
“I had the opportunity to play in the OHL, but I thought that Jr. A and then college was just a better fit for me.”
NZ: Last time we spoke to you, back in 2017, you hadn’t yet played in the USHL. Now you’re in your second year. Where are the areas you feel your game has grown the most over the last two years?
Power: “I have worked a lot on my skating and all the fundamentals. I feel like my hockey IQ has always been there, but I was definitely slower when I was younger and playing in the Jr. A level. Coming to the USHL, I’ve been trying to get better and better every year and play more of a major role.
“Making the move to the USHL was a great move for me, but I couldn’t have done it without playing Jr. A hockey back home at 16 years old and getting used to the older, more physical play.”
NZ: You were named captain in Lincoln this year. How much of an honor is that for you?
Power: “It’s a huge honor. It’s a player vote, too, which makes it even cooler. It’s awesome to know the guys voted for you. I always try to lead my example, sticking up for my teammates and working hard every day in practice and in the gym. We have so many great leaders in our group, so to be named captain is special.
“I think moving forward, I want to try to show leadership no matter what age I am. Maybe I’ll have a bigger role in the leadership group when I’m older, but the traits of being a good leader you need to have all the time, even as a freshman. You need to work hard and do the right things all the time, not just when you’re a captain.”