Login

a_canuck · 09-29-2024, 06:09 PM

Rising Tide: Jack Ellul's Journey from Gibsons to the Draft
A report for The Puck Perspective by Elliot Fridgeman

When I first met Jack Ellul in person it was on the topic deck of the BC ferry. The rain was pouring down but he seemed to enjoy it. Personally, I wish I was covering a team and a player with nicer weather but the kid’s carefree attitude helped as I tried to scribble notes without getting my notebook soaking wet. Jack looked off to the side of the vessel smiling, he seemed to sense my apprehension towards the rain “Beautiful weather today! Might have to go tanning later.” This kid always seemed so calm both on and off the ice. I had just watched him play for his local SJHL team, the Gibsons Sea Snakes, where his strong defensive play helped lead them to a narrow 2-1 victory.

“I don’t know about that. Seems pretty miserable to me. Let’s turn to hockey though. How are you dealing with the pressure of the upcoming draft?”

“Oh, I’m not too worried. Things will fall where they will. You can only control so much you know? So, I try to prepare as best I can and see where I land. Not many kids from Gibsons get to make it to the SMJHL let alone the SHL. The fact that I’m in the conversation to be drafted is crazy and I’m just trying to appreciate that.”

Jack Ellul is a thoughtful kid and it shows in his game. His real strength comes from his ability to read the game from both sides of the puck. He is rarely found out of position and is ready to adapt to the game. The kid is a relative unknown though and is entering into a world of big names from big hockey markets. It will be interesting to see how he adapts as the spotlight is thrust upon him.

“So, who is your favourite player? Who’s game do you think you most resemble?”

Jack smiles, “Oh, Tyler Myers of course! The work he has done to allow long necked, hoofed, mammals into the game is an inspiration. He walked so I could gallop you know? I mean between him and Bo Horvat leading the way for bison to play the game is really opening up to a much wider audience. That’s something that is important to me. Being able to lead by example and help inspire a new generation.”

That mix of humour and insightful thoughts and values is what Jack brings to the locker room and to his team. It is a combination of being able to joke around with teammates but also dive into drills and strategy with a keen mind. Talking with those close to him on the Sea Snakes Jack is described as being a strong locker room presence and able to interact well with all those around him in a cheerful and carefree manner. This does not mean he is not competitive though. He has a drive to grow and to win. He is often found in the video room reviewing game tape to learn how he could approach things differently the next time he hits the ice. Often spending hours after practice working on his edge work or his shot to make sure that he is just that much better the next time he is put into a precarious situation. He listens to his teammates and wants to grow and learn from them too. These things make him a great addition to any locker room.

Jack may not be coming from one of the big name hockey schools and isn’t expected by many to go early in the SMJHL draft but does seem to bring an interesting set of skills to the table. He definitely has room to grow and develop but his ability to make a clean breakout pass helped his Sea Snakes compete in their local league. You can not get far into Gibsons without overhearing the team and Jack Ellul as a subject of conversation. He has really helped turn this place into a hockey town.

Jack Ellul performed well during the SMJHL Rookie Showdown recording a number of strong defensive performances where he often logged the most ice time for his Blues. I caught up with him after the tournament to get his reaction.

“It’s a lot faster than Gibsons’ hockey! I’ll tell you that! No, it is good though. I really enjoyed getting out there and being able to show my game. Even though the final scores did not go the way we were hoping I felt that I was able to go play my style of hockey and lock down other teams’ top lines. There is a lot of talent out there though! It is great to see and I am excited at the opportunity to play with and against these guys next year.

I am also glad I was able to contribute on the offensive side of the puck. In the modern game players need to be responsible regardless of where the puck is. Being able to get on the scoresheet is important and I am glad I was able to make some key passes to help break out of our own zone and help the team attack on the counter.”

Jack’s gap control and positioning on the ice point to that measured play. He was rarely if ever caught out of position and was able to pinch when the play demanded it. This kid’s footspeed allowed him to keep pace with forwards breaking into the zone and then use his physical frame to push them wide and into the corners.

This kid may not be the flashiest prospect heading into the final week before the draft but offers a reliable and stalwart defensive option with offensive upside. It seems that some teams are taking notice. I asked Jack if different teams had reached out to him to try and get a feel for the league’s opinion on the young talent. Jack laughed it off at first and did not give too many specifics about which teams had been in contact.

“Yeah, I have gotten some calls. I try to be honest and just let them know who I am and what I can bring to the ice and to the locker room. This whole major junior world is new to me but I am determined to make a run at it. I know I do not come from a prolific SHL town but I am determined to make an impact. You can only go out there and try your best to show teams why they should draft you. At the end of the day though, that is only the beginning. The real work comes during that first practice, that first game. That’s where it all begins. You have got to be willing to put in the leg work.”

Seeing this kid go through the combine and play in the Rookie Showdown it odd to reflect back to that moment back on the ferry. The humble beginnings for this up and coming player who would soon be waiting on bated breath for the SMJHL draft and to find out his future. Whether he goes early or late in the draft, one thing is certain — Jack Ellul is prepared to make an impact in the SMJHL.

(1231 words, 2x prospect showcase)

Navigation

Extra Menu

About us