JANESVILLE, WI – The Janesville Jets, proud members of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), have signed forward Ian Malcolmson to a tender contract, securing his services for the 2017-18 season.
A tender is a contract a team offers a prospect to reserve his rights for the upcoming NAHL season. When a player signs a tender, his rights belong to that team within the NAHL, and he may not be recruited or drafted by any other member club. Each team is granted 10 tenders, which became active on November 1, and which they can either use on a prospect or trade to another NAHL club.
Malcolmson (5-9/161) is a ’99 forward who is currently finishing his senior year with the Waukesha Wings. The captain has tormented opposing goaltenders this year to the tune of 43 goals and 70 points in 20 games. The Wings ranked fifth in Monday’s coaches poll, and have their eyes on a state title.
“The group of guys here at Waukesha is great,” said Malcolmson. “They’re some of my best friends and it’s been an absolute pleasure to play with them the last four years. This program, the coaches, and the staff have helped me get where I am today and I really appreciate what they’ve done for me.”
“Ian’s a player who plays hard in all three zones,” said Jets head coach and general manager Joe Dibble. “He has an elite skill set that we believe will transfer not only into junior but into his college hockey career, as well. He has a high hockey IQ, which, when you consider his skills and work ethic, makes him an extremely well rounded player. He’s a great human being, too, and we feel he continues the culture we’re shaping here. He’s a complete character player.”
Malcolmson also plays a “before-after” split season with Team Wisconsin, with whom he scored 26 points in 21 games last fall.
“Those coaches really care,” Malcolmson said about the TW program. “With Luke Strand and Brad Byce and coach [Craig] Johnson and all those guys, they sit down with you personally and walk you through what you can work on. They always have game film ready. They just have everything you need to be successful and have helped me move on to the next level.”
Malcolmson said he was excited to sign his NAHL tender with a team that was close to home and one with a proven track record of player advancement.
“Obviously [the Jets] are great at moving players on, and my goal is to play hockey for as long as I can,” said Malcolmson. “The atmosphere when I practiced with them was really special. The group of guys there seemed really great and there seems to be a lot of confidence in the coaching staff. When you’re choosing to go somewhere, you need to pick a place where you think you’re going to be successful, and I believe that’s Janesville.”
Malcolmson is the sixth tender the Jets have signed this season (F Nick Bink, Shattuck; D Chase Blackmun, Hudson High; F Benji Eckerle, Little Caesar’s; F Trey Rooney, Euless Jr. Stars; F Sam Renlund, Omaha U16 AAA).
After a week off, the Jets return to action next Tuesday for a Valentine’s Day visit to the Nelson Ice Arena as they take on the Springfield Jr. Blues, and follow up with an away-and-home series versus the Coulee Region Chill on Friday and Saturday. Tickets and group rates are still available for next Saturday’s game by visiting www.janesvillejets.com/tickets or by calling the Jets ticket office at (608) 752-JETS. Stay connected to the Jets through Facebook (/janesvillehockey) and Twitter (@JanesvilleJets1).