Jansen Harkins seized an opportunity with the Winnipeg Jets
The former Prince George Cougar scored his first NHL playoff goal during Winnipeg’s 3-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Monday, tying the best of five qualifying series 1-1.
During the post-game media briefing, Head Coach Paul Maurice stated Harkins forced an opportunity following injuries to star forwards Patrick Laine and Mark Schiefele.
“I think what you have with a guy like Hark is a guy that’s going to be in the National Hockey League for about 14 years. Young players don’t understand the value of an opportunity but Jansen Harkins is the exception to that rule.”
“He was clearly the first of three (new players) in for us because of his training camp. That goal he scored, he may have scored that goal ten times in the last three weeks, it’s off his stick sooner than you think and it’s bar down.”
Harkins found his groove in the American Hockey League earlier this year with the Jets affiliate the Manitoba Moose where he recorded 31 points in 30 games and was named the team’s MVP.
“What he did was he forced an opportunity. With the Moose, there was no choice but to call him up and then he gets into the lineup and practice and he works so hard that you have to play him.”
“I don’t know if I have had a player that has been given less opportunity and stayed the fight and competed as hard as he has. He doesn’t have ten guys banging on the table for him because he is not the first-overall pick, he’s been given nothing here.”
Game three is today (Tuesday) in Edmonton.
The 23-year-old is the Cougars all-time leader in points (242) and assists (167).
Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) August 3, 2020
? Nikolaj Ehlers and Jansen Harkins speak with the media after both scoring their first NHL Playoff goal in a 3-2 win over the Calgary Flames. #WeAreWPG pic.twitter.com/zy95brdNiH
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) August 4, 2020
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