Jordan Harris (ice hockey) explained

Jordan Harris
Birth Date:7 July 2000
Birth Place:Haverhill, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height Ft:5
Height In:11
Weight Lb:179
Position:Defense
Shoots:Left
League:NHL
Team:Columbus Blue Jackets
Former Teams:Montreal Canadiens
Draft:71st overall
Draft Year:2018
Draft Team:Montreal Canadiens
Career Start:2022

Jordan Harris (born July 7, 2000) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the third round, 71st overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

Early life

Harris was born on July 7, 2000, in Haverhill, Massachusetts,[1] to Ginny and Peter Harris, a nurse and physical therapist, and is both biracial and Jewish.[2] [3] [4] Harris' mother is white and non-Jewish.[5] His father is half-black and Jewish, having been adopted from a Jewish orphanage.[5] [6]

Being an African-American Jew, as of March 2024 he was the only Black Jewish player in the NHL.[2] His father played ice hockey for UMass Lowell, and Jordan almost became a goaltender like his father and older brother Elijah, but he "liked being able to skate and play out of the net too much", so he became a defenseman.[7]

Harris attended Haverhill High School for one year before transferring to Kimball Union Academy, a boarding school in New Hampshire. In his three years at Kimball, Harris had 18 goals and 64 assists in 111 games, and he was the team's captain during the 2017–18 season.[8] That season, he had six goals and 29 assists in 37 games and was also a star on Kimball's lacrosse team.[9] Harris also played five games with the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League during their 2017–18 season.[10]

Playing career

College

The Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL) selected Harris in the third round, 71st overall, of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. At the time of the draft, he had committed to playing college ice hockey at Northeastern.[11] He was joined at Northeastern by another prospect in the Canadiens organization, goaltender Cayden Primeau.[12] Harris picked up his first collegiate goal on October 13, 2018,[13] opening the scoring for Northeastern in their 5–0 shutout win over Sacred Heart.[14] Harris had one goal and 12 assists in 39 games during his freshman season with Northeastern, which won both the 2019 Beanpot and the 2019 Hockey East Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.[15]

Harris collected a point at least once in the first four games of Northeastern's 2019–20 season, doubling his goals total from the previous season.[16] By the Huskies' holiday break, he had established himself as a playmaker for the team, with three goals and 13 points through 18 games, fifth among Hockey East defensemen. Harris won the 2020 Beanpot for Northeastern in double overtime, breaking their 4–4 tie against Boston University to give the Huskies their third title in a row.[17] Harris's sophomore season came to a premature end due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Huskies presented him with the Unsung Hero Award for his accomplishments.[18] He finished the season with three goals and 21 points while averaging between 25 and 30 minutes of time on ice per night.[19]

The Huskies named Harris an alternate captain for the team's 2020–21 season.[20] His performance in the first half of the season won praise from sportswriters who were impressed by his hockey IQ,[21] and he was named the Hockey East Player of the Week on December 14 after scoring two goals and three assists in Northeastern's opening-weekend sweep of Merrimack.[22] With six goals and 19 points for the season, third in the conference,[23] Harris was a semifinalist for the Walter Brown Award,[24] a Hobey Baker Award finalist,[25] and he was named to the Hockey East Second All-Star Team.[26] Harris declined to sign with the Canadiens after his junior year, fueling speculation that he would attempt to become an unrestricted free agent after graduating, but he told reporters that he was more invested in finishing his degree.[27]

The Huskies named Harris their captain for the 2021–22 season.[28] He was named the Hockey East Defender of the Week on November 1 after scoring one goal and recording three assists in a two-game sweep of Maine.[29] In his senior season, Harris scored five goals and 20 points in 38 games.[30] This included five goals and 14 points in 20 conference games, for which Harris was named both a Hockey East First Team All-Star and the conference's Best Defensive Defenseman.[31] He finished his collegiate career with 15 goals and 73 points in 130 games across four seasons.[32]

Professional

Shortly after the end of his college hockey career, Harris signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Canadiens and joined them for the end of their season.[33] He debuted with the team on April 2, 2022, finishing the game with a plus–minus rating of +1 with three blocked shots in Montreal's 5–4 shootout win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.[34] Playing ten games with the Canadiens to close out the season, he scored his first NHL goal in the April 29 season-ending game against the Florida Panthers. The Canadiens won the game 10–2.[35]

On August 19, 2024, Harris was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets, in exchange for Patrik Laine and a 2nd-round pick in 2026.[36]

International play

Harris represented the United States internationally at the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in the Czech Republic.[37] He scored his first goal of the tournament on the second day, taking a pass from Trevor Zegras to tie Team USA 1–1 against Germany; the US took the game in a 6–3 victory.[38] The US team was eliminated during the semifinals with a 1–0 loss to Finland, the first time they failed to advance to the medal round since 2015.[39] In five games, Harris scored one goal and finished with a +4 plus-minus.[40]

Personal life

Harris's brother Elijah is also a hockey player. After goaltending at Austin Preparatory School, he enrolled at Endicott College to play for the Gulls. Harris, his brother, and father (all being Black) have spoken about the challenges experienced by Black hockey players.[41] Speaking at a screening of the documentary Black Ice, he said "I’m really proud of my heritage and the way I grew up. I feel extremely lucky to have been raised the way I was; biracial and Jewish, and raised to love hockey for what it is."

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Team LeagueGP PIMGP G A Pts PIM
2014–15 Islanders Hockey Club 16U AAA USPHL 16U10 0 1 1 23 0 0 0 0
2015–16 HS-Prep35 5 16 21
2016–17 Kimball Union Academy HS-Prep39 7 19 26
2017–18 Kimball Union Academy HS-Prep37 6 29 35
USHL5 0 1 1 0
HE39 1 12 13 8
Northeastern University HE33 3 18 21 20
Northeastern University HE19 6 13 19 8
Northeastern University HE39 5 15 20 14
NHL10 1 0 1 8
Montreal Canadiens NHL65 4 13 17 26
Montreal Canadiens NHL56 3 11 14 22
NHL totals131 8 24 32 56

International

Awards and honours

AwardYearRef
College
All-Hockey East Second Team2020–21[42]
All-Hockey East First Team2021–22[43]
Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman2021–22[44]
AHCA East Second Team All-American2021–22[45]
New England Best Defenceman2021–22[46]
New England D1 All-Stars2021–22[47]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jordan Harris Stats and News . Montreal Canadiens. NHL.com . April 3, 2022.
  2. Web site: Black Jewish NHL player Jordan Harris has a goal: To diversify hockey. March 9, 2024. The Jerusalem Post. Gurvis. Jacob.
  3. Web site: “Black Ice” Q&A ft. Jordan Harris. Montreal Canadiens . NHL.com . February 29, 2024 . July 18, 2024.
  4. News: Godin . Marc Antoine . 'The best defenceman in the country': Who is Jordan Harris, the prospect the Canadiens must do everything to keep? . . November 24, 2021 . April 3, 2022 . subscription.
  5. Web site: Gurvis . Jacob . Black Jewish NHL player Jordan Harris has a goal: To diversify hockey . . 10 July 2024 . en . 9 March 2024.
  6. Web site: Gurvis . Jacob . The Jewish Sport Report: Meet Jordan Harris, the Black Jewish NHL player on a mission to change hockey . . 10 July 2024 . 8 March 2024.
  7. News: Willis . David . Around the Horn with ... Northeastern recruit Jordan Harris of Haverhill . . July 30, 2017 . April 3, 2022.
  8. News: Sumas . Alex . Beanpot hero Jordan Harris looks beyond individual success, appreciates supporters . . April 12, 2020 . April 3, 2022.
  9. News: Braverman . Dan . Tim Whitehead: Jordan Harris an 'exceptional young man' . Montreal . NHL.com . November 18, 2018 . April 1, 2022.
  10. News: Yauger . Brian . Phantoms players popular in recent NHL draft . . June 25, 2018 . April 3, 2022.
  11. News: Cudzinowski . Matt . 2018 NHL Entry Draft: Day 2 . NHL.com . Montreal Canadiens. June 23, 2018 . April 3, 2022.
  12. News: Braverman . Dan . Catching up with... Jordan Harris . NHL.com . Montreal Canadiens . February 18, 2019 . April 3, 2022.
  13. News: Cudzinowski . Matt . NCAA Roundup: Cayden Primeau, Jordan Harris shine for Northeastern . NHL.com . Montreal Canadiens . October 14, 2018 . April 3, 2022.
  14. News: Men's Hockey Falls to #15 Northeastern in Series Finale . Sacred Heart Pioneers . October 14, 2018 . April 3, 2022.
  15. Web site: Jordan Harris – Men's Ice Hockey . Northeastern Huskies. April 3, 2022.
  16. News: Mercier . Pierre-Antoine. Braverman, Dan . Canadiens future watch . NHL.com. Montreal Canadiens . October 21, 2019 . April 3, 2022.
  17. News: Braverman . Dan . Harris: A Huskies hero for life . Montreal Canadiens . NHL.com . March 8, 2020 . April 3, 2022.
  18. News: Men's Hockey Holds Virtual Banquet . Northeastern Huskies . April 10, 2020 . April 3, 2022.
  19. News: Dumont . Marc . Harris: The upward trajectory continues . NHL.com. Montreal Canadiens . September 5, 2020 . April 3, 2022.
  20. News: Northeastern Men's Hockey Selects Captains for 2020–21 . Northeastern Huskies . April 20, 2020 . April 3, 2022.
  21. News: Dumont . Marc . Weekly prospect roundup: Harris starts off strong . NHL.com . Montreal Canadiens . December 18, 2020 . April 3, 2022.
  22. News: Harris Named Hockey East Player of the Week . Northeastern Huskies . December 14, 2020 . April 3, 2022.
  23. News: Huskies Finish with Eighth Straight Winning Regular Season . Northeastern Huskies . April 5, 2021 . April 3, 2022.
  24. News: Solow, Harris Named to Walter Brown Award Semifinalist List . Northeastern Huskies . March 3, 2021 . April 3, 2022.
  25. News: Mercier . Pierre-Antoine. Cudzinowski, Matt. Caufield, Harris candidates for Hobey Baker Award . Montreal Canadiens . NHL.com . February 14, 2021 . April 3, 2022.
  26. News: Solow and Harris Named Hockey East Second-Team All-Stars . Northeastern Huskies . March 12, 2021 . April 3, 2022.
  27. News: Hickey . Pat . Newest Canadien Jordan Harris gets first taste of life as a pro . . March 30, 2022 . April 3, 2022.
  28. News: Jordan Harris Named Captain for 2021–22 Season . Northeastern Huskies . March 24, 2021 . April 3, 2022.
  29. News: Jordan Harris Named Hockey East Defender of the Week . Northeastern Huskies . November 1, 2021 . April 3, 2022.
  30. News: Canadiens agree to a two-year contract with Jordan Harris . Montreal Canadiens . NHL.com . March 26, 2022 . April 3, 2022.
  31. News: Levi, Harris, McDonough Named First Team All-Stars . Northeastern Huskies . March 11, 2022 . April 3, 2022.
  32. News: Jordan Harris Signs with Montreal Canadiens . Northeastern Huskies . March 26, 2022 . April 3, 2022.
  33. News: Willis . David . From Haverhill to NHL: Top prospect Jordan Harris of Haverhill thrilled to join the Montreal Canadiens . . April 1, 2022 . April 3, 2022.
  34. News: Long . Corey . Canadiens win shootout, drop Lightning into tie for second in Atlantic . NHL.com. April 3, 2022 . April 3, 2022.
  35. News: Canadiens rout Panthers 10-2 in regular-season finale . ESPN.com . April 29, 2022 . October 13, 2022.
  36. Web site: Laine traded to Canadiens by Blue Jackets for Harris . nhl.com . August 19, 2024 . August 19, 2024.
  37. News: Harris earns spot on 2020 U.S. National Junior Team roster . Northeastern Huskies . December 23, 2019 . April 3, 2022.
  38. News: Lafleur . François. Cudzinowski, Matt. Day 2 of the WJHC: Harris stars . Montreal Canadiens. NHL.com . December 27, 2019 . April 3, 2022.
  39. News: Lafleur . François. Braverman, Dan. Day 7 of the WJHC: Romanov, Norlinder bound for semis . NHL.com. Montreal Canadiens . January 2, 2020 . April 3, 2022.
  40. News: Jordan Harris staying at Northeastern University next season . Montreal Canadiens . NHL.com . March 22, 2021 . April 3, 2022.
  41. News: Willis . David . NHL prospect Jordan Harris of Haverhill reflects on challenges African Americans face in hockey . . September 6, 2020 . April 3, 2022.
  42. Web site: HOCKEY EAST NAMES 2020-21 MEN'S ALL-STAR TEAMS. Hockey East. March 12, 2021 . July 18, 2024.
  43. Web site: HOCKEY EAST NAMES 2021-22 MEN'S ALL-STAR TEAMS . Hockey East . March 11, 2022 . March 16, 2022.
  44. Web site: HOCKEY EAST NAMES MEN'S PRO AMBITIONS ALL-ROOKIE TEAM. July 18, 2024. Hockey East. March 9, 2022.
  45. News: Four players return to 2021-22 Division I men's All-American teams, led by three-time pick Dryden McKay . USCHO.com . April 8, 2022 . April 8, 2022.
  46. Web site: Awards - NCAA (New England) Best Defenceman . Eliteprospects.com. July 14, 2024.
  47. Web site: Awards - NCAA (New England) D1 All-Stars . Eliteprospects.com. July 14, 2024.