Jayden Harris’ days as a junior hockey player are slowly coming to an end.
After two years with the Yorkton U18 Maulers, Harris joined the Dauphin Kings in the 2020-21 season as an 18-year-old and he played his first five games with the team that season before the campaign was cut very short because of the pandemic.
Back last year, Harris played an instrumental role in the team winning the Turnbull Cup which saw them ultimately advance to the national semi-final against the Pickering Panthers. He played 38 regular season games and 18 playoff games as well.
Harris then suited up in 42 regular season games with Dauphin this season as he has now played 104 games with Dauphin, including the playoffs.
“My time in Dauphin has been amazing,” said Harris. “The community has been awesome, the coaching staff is incredible, and I have had so many amazing teammates.”
Harris was putting together a career year with the Kings as he had 29 points, 12 of which were goals in the 42 games he played. Unfortunately, Harris’ regular season came to an end early in February as he missed Dauphin’s final 14 regular season games with an upper-body injury. Harris has been skating for quite some time, but he was held out of action for nearly two months.
“It was really frustrating not being able to be out there with the guys,” said Harris. “Just watching and not being able to help the team win games was very tough for me, but it happened.”
Harris also missed the first two games of the team’s first-round playoff series against Swan Valley, but when he did return, what a return it was for the 20-year-old.
Harris was in the lineup on Tuesday night as Dauphin looked to get back in their series with the Stampeders and while on the power play late in the first period, Harris tipped in a shot past Kobe Grant for his first playoff goal of the year. Harris also had one playoff goal last year.
Harris says being back on the ice battling with his brothers was an incredible feeling.
“It felt awesome, it was my job to be ready to go when I was healthy,” offered Harris. “I did what I could out there. My timing was off for the first few shifts so I just tried getting my feet under me and playing simple. Getting one to go was nice and I thought it was a pretty solid showing from me for my first game back in a long time.”
Following Tuesday’s 6-3 win, Dauphin can now tie the series with a win on Friday night as the series returns to Credit Union Place for game four. Dauphin has scored 11 goals in the past two games after scoring just once in the first game.
While the team didn’t win the West Division this year like they did last year, Harris has complete belief in the team as they look to tie the best of seven up at two apiece.
“I’m really confident in this group,” said Harris. “We have so many different guys that can play so many key roles for us. We’re all focused on one common goal and we’re pushing ourselves to get the job done.”
You can hear Jayden’s full conversation with Darnell Duff during the team’s power play show after the 4:00 p.m. news, weather, business, and sports on Friday on 730CKDM.
Game four between Swan Valley and Dauphin is pegged for 7:30 on Friday night at Credit Union Place.