The Janesville Jets, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), are pleased to announce that defenseman Jordon Halverson has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for the University of St. Thomas Tommies of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.
“It means the world,” Halverson said. “To work so hard and to dedicate so much time into pursuing the goal of playing Division I hockey, it feels great for it to come full circle.”
Halverson’s is the second Division I commitment for the Jets this year, and the second in just two days.
The defenseman is currently playing in his third season with the Jets, and has tallied three assists in five games. The Hudson, Wis. native had 22 points (5G/17A) in 36 games last season to tie for fifth-best on the team. As a rookie, he saw action in 51 games and registered three goals and 16 assists.
“Jordon has been a staple of our blue line for the past three seasons and has been a thrill to work with every day,” A statement from associate head coach Lennie Childs and head coach Parker Burgess said. “He has elite puck skills and skating that makes him a threat both in the defensive zone and on offense. St Thomas is getting a dynamic player that will strengthen their D-corps from day one.”
St. Thomas, a perennial Division III powerhouse, will make the jump to Division I hockey in 2021-22 as it joins the revived CCHA conference for its first season with St. Thomas, Bemidji State, Bowling Green, Ferris State, Lake Superior State, Michigan Tech, Minnesota State and Northern Michigan as member schools.
The Tommies have made 17 NCAA Tournament appearances since 1984 and have played in two Frozen Fours. The team has also won 34 MIAC regular season championships dating back to 1923, and won it six of seven seasons from 2012-2018 under head coach Jeff Boeser.
Jets head coach Parker Burgess played at St. Thomas for two seasons from 2008-10, was a two-time All-MIAC selection and also served as captain in his senior year. Burgess also began his coaching career at UST, as assistant coach from 2010-13 and associate head coach from 2013-15.
Several Jets alumni have gone on to play for the Tommies, with Johnny Pesek (2017-18), Jack Vincent (2016-19), Logan Ommen (2016-20), and Vincent Weis 2018-19) all on the current roster.
“The campus and culture to go along with it [at St. Thomas] were second to none,” Halverson said. “The coaching staff and I built a great relationship, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to start something special at such an amazing university.”
As his junior hockey days begin to wind down, Halverson looks back fondly on his time in Janesville so far and will carry much of it with him to the next level.
“I’ll take the growth not only as a hockey player but also as a human,” Halverson said. “You learn a lot about yourself and how to handle adversity, and the Jets organization as a whole is tremendous in developing us as players.”
2020-21 College Commitments
Shane Ott (F) – Niagara University, DI
Jordon Halverson (D) – University of St. Thomas, DI