| Jackson Dorrington | Des Moines Buccaneers | USHL | L | D | 6’2″ | 192 | Northeastern | 2022 | North Reading, MA | 2004 | 2021-2022: B- |
USHL: Des Moines vs Sioux Falls Stampede, October 30, 2021: In the 4-1 Des Moines loss Dorrington earned 16:26 in total ice time including a 1:20 while short handed. Statistically he finished minus 2, had one minor penalty, 2 shots on goal, 3 hits and 5 giveaways versus 7 takeaways. We liked his presence in the neutral zone while short handed. His stick was down, his angling was excellent and he forced 2 poor decisions at the defensive blueline which led to turnovers and 200′ clears. In the defensive zone we would like to see Dorrington play more consistently with his stick on the ice. As a 6’2″ inside edge skater he has the physical tools to intercept or get his stick on passes and we feel this is a little thing that will aid his two-way game. Something to watch for in our next viewing, Dorrington miss managed a few full ice 2v1s. As his game matures we would like to see him recognize when the opposing players are on their strong sides or off-wing so he can shade to the more dangerous player. On this night Dorrington was caught in the middle and gave up two dangerous one-timers from the dot lane, one of which resulted in a Sioux Falls goal. Offensively he recognized time and space very well, choosing to move his feet after receiving passes and joined the rush whenever possible. One thing of note, when the game was about two seconds over Dorrington fired a shot at the Sioux Falls net. This obviously got the Stampede players fired up and a pretty good sized scrum / mini brawl started. While his teammates came to his aid Dorrington did not engage and skated away leaving his teammates to fight the fight he started.
USHL: Des Moines Buccaneers vs Madison Capitols, September 23, 2021: In the 6-3 Des Moines win Dorrington earned 11:12 of total ice time. He was not a factor on special teams. Statistically he had 1 minor penalty, 2 hits and 3 giveaways versus 1 takeaway. We feel that Dorrington looked more comfortable and the play slowed down for him game went on. In the offensive zone he was active from the opening shift. He looked to pinch whenever possible and was very comfortable rolling off the strong side wall looking for a one-timer. In defensive zone coverage he wandered a little bit and there were few times early where he lost his box out responsibility, but he showed a quick active stick when shutting down the cycle. His skating posture while defending the rush looked controlled with a deep knee bend and his chest was high. Dorrington did cross his feet over while pivoting early in the game, but as we stated the play seemed to slow down for him and we did not notice him crossing over as much as the game progressed. In general it was the first game for the 2021-22 season and a solid game to build on.
Hlinka Gretzky Cup: U18 Team USA vs U18 Czech Republic, July 31, 2021: In the 5-3 Team USA win Dorrington earned 15:19 in total ice time including 2:41 while short handed. Statistically he finished with 1 hit, 1 minor penalty and 2 giveaways versus 7 takeaways. It was a pretty uneventful game for Dorrington and we view that as a positive. Offensively he moved the puck quickly, provided consistent support for his defensive partner in transition and most importantly his passes hit the target. He earned his penalty while trying to box out on an odd man rush and in another game he might not have gotten the penalty. Defensively Dorrington played on his inside edges and was always ready to pounce. His stick was extended, but he looked comfortable keeping his hips low and shoulders back when making body contact. Again, we view a noneventful game as a plus as this is the type of game he will be asked to play at higher levels.
USA Hockey Selects 17’s, July 14, 2021: Dorrington’s game keeps evolving and is headed in a positive direction. He did not run around a lot here which he has tended to do in previous viewings. He looked tall, strong and confident. His stick was heavy and he made some huge hits when defending. Dorrington is highly athletic and has the speed and long stride to take chances and recover. He was a breakout machine as he hit the wing quickly, dished to the mic or snapped long, flat passes to the stretch guy. On one play, he stopped behind his net and started again, lost the forechecker and fired a pass up ice right away. He already knew what he was going to do and baited the opponent into a dumb forecheck. He carried and was strong with possession. He easily absorbed contact and showed the speed and puck control to carry end to end. He ripped a puck top corner with a quick release from the slot for a goal. He scored another from the slot as he settled into a scoring spot with a prepared stick. Along the offensive blue, the positives continued. He moved fluently, made crisp passes to his forwards and fired low shots to the net. His game has matured and the Cushing defenseman screams NHL. he was superb in every aspect here. Hlinka team and NZ All-Star team. Grade: A
MA Festival: Top 100 2004s, 2005s, 2006s, June 9, 2021: Dorrington just continues to shine with every opportunity in a development setting. If there’s one thing we know about his game it’s that you need to keep your head on a swivel when he’s on the ice because he’s not afraid to light you up. In each game we watched across Friday and Sunday he lit up a couple of opposing puck carriers producing a few hoots and hollers from the bench. Aside from his physicality and strength he’s a slick puck possessor and is more than willing to attack the zone with fervor. We liked that he was able to quickly put shots on net looking for his forwards to follow up the rebounds. He also was effective with his stick limiting space and poke checking it away to safety. His game is consistently athletic and strong and it’s one of the main reasons why he will be headed to Amherst in June. National Camp Selection. Grade: B+
NCDC: Boston Jr. Bruins vs South Shore Kings, December 6, 2020: Jackson has a sky high ceiling and it was evident in this one. He has tremendous poise while under pressure and pulse does not elevate when he’s about to get smoked. He consistently passed through player’s triangles with touch. Jackson retrieved pucks with a purpose and his head was on a swivel. He ran the power play from the top of the umbrella and showed the ability to one time pucks with authority.
Beantown Classic Pro Division, September 24, 2020: Dorrington is a big, mobile, highly athletic, multidimensional defenseman who is smooth and poised with the puck. He plays mean and physical in the tough areas and showed the ability to close quickly on opponents and take smart pursuit angles to take away all time and space and finish checks. He has the dual ability to knock an opponent off their line, then steal the puck and then headman the puck the other way with a stretch pass or carrying it end to end. He moves well laterally along the offensive blue line, he keeps his head up and uses good shot selection and has the skill to hit the backdoor pass on the power play. He has the size, the confidence, the toughness and the athleticism to play any role and his versatility makes him a blue chip prospect with major NCAA/CHL upside and potential beyond. He is coming off of a strong season at Cushing and is listed as Boston Jr. Bruins (NCDC) for this fall. Grade: B+
NCDC: Futures Draft, June 17, 2020: NZ’s take: “Has all of the tools. Is a big, tough, skilled defender that is used in all situations. He has an unusual skating style but gets around the ice quickly. He is confident for a younger player with and without the puck. Plays physical and attacks opposing players at his blueline. Uses a strong base and an active stick to cut down time and angles. Makes smart, efficient passes to get out of his end quickly. He sees the ice well and anticipates where plays are going. Retrieves pucks well and turns the puck quickly up the ice.”
USA Hockey Select 15 Development Camp, August 24, 2019: Dorrington looked taller than his 5’9” listed height. He is a talented two-way defenseman who made our All-Star report as a high pick on the blue line. He jumps rapidly to defend his end. If a forward moved laterally, turned from the net or fumbled with the puck, Jackson was on him creating turnovers. When forwards had control of the puck and could drive the net, Dorrigton took smart angles and forced to his help in the defensive zone. His stick is active and quick and he made a few hard hits on the wall to finish off plays. With the puck, he snapped passes all over the ice, went D to D like a pro and wheeled to create space and passing lanes. His gaps were tight and he slammed a couple forwards to stop the rush. He has the speed to lead or join the rush. He created plays and was a lot to handle for opponents when Dorrington had the puck at top speed along the wall. Jackson scored a goal against Team Navy where he pounced on a rebound and fired it home. Showed a real burst. He created along the offensive blue line and liked to jump in and out of the high slot. In the zone, he had some puck possession time and would even stop and start to manufacture time and space. His line play was smart and he has a cannon for a shot. He is listed at 140lbs but played much stronger. He is a strong, athletic player who has a high ceiling. All three scouts liked his game a lot and he should be interesting to watch against older players in Prep. He must add more weight. Grade: A-
Mass Festival 2004s, May 16, 2019: Dorrington was quite impressive in this viewing which should come as no surprise as he played up against older players in prep hockey for Cushing. We liked his smoothness in all four directions and how calm he was in every situation. No moment or odd man rush really fazed him: he felt prepared no matter what. He was well aware of his surroundings and kept his head up. He knew when to attack the zone and when to pull back to look for reinforcements. Was willing to lay the lumber by knocking a player off his feet but also was able to make the finesse plays using a nice touch on a centering feed. Hard to find any one area of his game that is really lacking. He can do a lot of things for your team. Grade: A-
Lawrence/Groton Holiday Tournament, January 2019: Jackson had a strong showing here. He is a big defender that will need to fill out. He plays a physical, aggressive game and wants the puck on his stick. He is confident and makes strong reads and quick decisions in his own end. He is smart through the middle of the ice and gets to puck to forwards with room to operate. He is still raw and will need to round out but a 2004 playing at this level is worth noting. Grade: B+
STX 68 Combine Report, August 20, 2018: Real strong weekend in all areas of his game. Played a very physical game and was really aggressive on puck carriers. Maintains real tight gaps and smothers zone entries at the blue line. Good feet and smooth transitions, gets to top speed quickly. Very evasive with the puck and does a great job uses his feet and hands to get himself out of jams and into open ice.
2004 Crimson Combine, August 7, 2018: Big left shot D man that moves well and can handle the puck. Makes a good first pass to jump start the attack. Uses his body and plays physical down low to win battles. Going to Cushing this coming fall.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
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