X has marked the spot on the Last Frontier.
Okotoks Oilers key trade deadline acquisition Jordan Xavier will make the jump to collegiate hockey next season as the latest commit to the NCAA Division I University of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves.
“When I talked to their coaches I could tell they really wanted me to go there,” Xavier said. “Whereas when I talked to other schools I wasn’t necessarily too sure how bad they wanted me to go. A lot of schools had interest.
“I could hear it in their voices they wanted me to go there. You want to play where you’re wanted.”
The 1997 born forward opted to forego one more season of junior in taking the offer.
“I was kind of playing it by ear. If I got an offer to go away next year I would go, if I didn’t then I would stay,” Xavier said. “It wasn’t in my mind to say I for sure wasn’t going to come back. I had that last year in my back pocket.
“I love playing here and coming back wouldn’t have been the worst scenario for me. They want me to go next year and whatever they see best I’m going to go through.”
He feels he’s ready to make the leap to college hockey.
And with a strong resume in the AJHL with 118 points through parts of three seasons it’s hard to argue with the sentiment.
“You don’t get to watch college hockey a lot here,” the 5-foot-11, 175-pound Xavier said. “I think I’m ready. I’ve got to put in a lot of hard work and get a little bit bigger and stronger. I’m not the biggest guy.
“I’ve got to put in a lot of work this summer to make sure I’m ready.”
Transitioning to a new team won’t be a new experience for the centre.
Acquired in early December from the Calgary Mustangs, the pivot quickly found a home as the Oilers’ first-line centre.
Through 21 games with the club he’s playing at a point-per-game clip with seven goals and 14 helpers.
Work ethic has been the calling card for the slightly undersized forward.
“He’s always giving it his 110 per cent out there,” said Oilers head coach Tyler Deis. “That’s probably the one thing I see. His work ethic, his attention to detail. He’s been awesome for this dressing room and great for the team.”
Xavier plans to study business and marketing at the school.
The Seawolves play in the NCAA’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association against the likes of Alaska-Fairbanks, Bemidji State, Minnesota State and Bowling Green.
Alaska-Anchorage alumni include former Calgary Flame Curtis Glencross and current Washington Capitals faceoff specialist Jay Beagle.
“He’s had a bunch of different offers, but it’s finding the right fit for Jordan and his family,” Deis said. “They felt that was the best opportunity for him. You never can go wrong in the sense of getting an education and playing hockey.”
