Ric Jackman

112
Ric Jackman bigraphy, stories - Canadian ice hockey defenceman

Ric Jackman : biography

June 28, 1978 –

Richard Jackman (born June 28, 1978 in Toronto, Ontario) is a former NHL Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for Anyang Halla of the Asia League Ice Hockey.

Playing career

Junior career

Jackman played junior hockey for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) from 1996 to 1998. He played alongside future Hart Trophy and Art Ross Trophy winner Joe Thornton.

Professional career

Jackman was drafted fifth overall by the Dallas Stars in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. Jackman has played 231 career NHL games, scoring 19 goals and 58 assists for 77 points. His best offensive season was with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2003–04, after coming over from the Toronto Maple Leafs; he scored 7 goals and 24 points in 25 games. He was traded by the Leafs for veteran defenceman Drake Berehowsky at the trade deadline.

During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Jackman played for Björklöven in the Swedish Allsvenskan.

Returning to the Penguins in 2005–06, Jackman’s blistering slapshot contributed to 6 goals and 22 assists, but did not stop him from being frequently benched. At the trade deadline in 2006, Jackman was traded to the Florida Panthers for Petr Tatíček and draft picks.

Jackman was traded from the Florida Panthers to the Anaheim Ducks on January 3, 2007, for a conditional pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He won the Stanley Cup in 2007 with the Anaheim Ducks.

After parts of five seasons in the NHL, Jackman opted to sign overseas with EC Red Bull Salzburg in Austria in the summer of 2007. He also played for Leksand of Allsvenskan in Sweden and Biel of the Swiss-A league. In 2010, he accepted a special invitation to play for the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL) prior to joining HC Slovan Bratislava in Slovak Extraliga. On December 5, 2010, Jackman signed a 2-year deal with HC Slovan Bratislava, but since the club is struggling financially, Jackman asked to waive the contract. In July 17, 2011, Jackman officially signed with Anyang Halla of ALIH for a 3-year-deal.

Personal

Jackman spends his summers in Barrie, Ontario with his wife, Stephanie and two daughters, Haley & Gracie.

International play

Internationally, Jackman has represented Team Canada. He helped Canada capture a gold medal at the 1997 World Junior Championships. Jackman also won the 2007 Spengler Cup as a member of Team Canada. He also played in 2008 & 2009 for Team Canada in the Spengler Cup.