Arizona State ice hockey has signed 20-year-old Left Winger Jackson Niedermayer ahead of the 2021-22 season. Niedermayer hails from Newport Beach, California and is the son of former NHL star Scott Niedermayer. For the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, Niedermayer played for the Penticton Vees of the Junior-A British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). During the 2018-19 season, Niedermayer collected two goals and four assists for six points in 36 games. During the 2019-20 season he collected 23 goals and 22 assists for 45 points in 52 games. In the playoffs that season, Niedermayer snagged two goals and four assists for six points in five games.
This season, the BCHL took part in an exhibition season where Niedermayer played five games before dislocating his shoulder forcing him to go for surgery. This resulted in him missing the regular season when the BCHL chose to go to a pod format. However, he said if there was one year to have it happen, it’d be this covid season.
“We’re just doing everything I can to get back healthy and do everything I can to make sure that I’m ready to go for next year,” Niedermayer said.
His time with Penticton
Niedermayer had great success during the 2019-20 BCHL season with the Vees after bouncing back from his shoulder injury. He explained that they had an unreal team last year and how it was easy to play with anyone. Niedermayer touched on the confidence he had in putting pucks in the back of the net and making plays.
“Just having that confidence to put the puck in the back of the net and make plays and I think that’s key for anyone, is just having that confidence that you’re capable of what you’re supposed to be doing out there,” Niedermayer said. “Yeah, it was a good year for me, it was fun playing, as long as I’m having fun, I think that’s when I’m at my best.”
He also touched on the winning culture in Penticton and lessons he’ll bring to the Sun Devils. Niedermayer said the biggest thing is that they know how to win and have a winning mentality. He originally started playing minimal minutes on the fourth line his first year with the Vees. Niedermayer said the season he had last year helped him a lot to work and put in all the effort that he needed to.
“What it takes to win is something I’ve kind of learned over my time here and the mentality that nothing is given to you, you have to work for everything,” Niedermayer said.
Transition to college hockey
Niedermayer touched on the challenges he’ll face going from the Junior-A rank with the BCHL to the collegiate level. He explained how he’ll be playing against grown men at the college level. Niedermayer noted how this being especially true with seniors getting an extra year of eligibility.
“I know we have a great group of guys that are coming back and it’ll be awesome to play with all those guys next year,” Niedermayer said. “But I think the biggest thing is those guys are older, they’re stronger, they’re bigger and coming in as a freshman it’s not going to be easy, you got to put the work in and get ready for it.”
Niedermayer said it won’t be easy facing older, stronger and bigger guys going in as a freshman and that you have to put the work in to get ready for it. Niedermayer said the size and speed of the game ramps up a little bit at every level explaining that it’s important to be prepared for that.
Why he chose ASU
Niedermayer first started talking to schools during his midget years and ASU was one of the first schools to get in contact with him. When he got to Penticton to play for the Vees, he continued to stay in touch with ASU.
“It was always in the back of my mind that that’s kind of where I would end up going and fielded some other offers, but the end of the day, everything that Coach Powers and Field and Mike are doing down there is incredible,” Niedermayer said. “The way they’ve started that program and the way they built it is something I want to be a part of.”
Niedermayer will join the team for their last season at Oceanside in 2021-22. He’s excited to play in the new building, but touched on what it’ll mean playing during their last season at Oceanside. Niedermayer said once the new rink is built, it’ll be a college hockey powerhouse for sure.
“Yeah I think it’s a cool opportunity to kind of shut down the rink that they’re playing at now in Oceanside,” Niedermayer said.
Moving venues and team culture
When the team moves into the new 5,000 seat arena, Niedermayer will be a sophomore. He thinks it’ll be cool to be able to say they were the first group of guys to open up the new building. Niedermayer touched on the new rink and the layout they have, calling it special. He talked about how they’ll be able to have fans and play in front of their own school since they haven’t been able to fully experience that yet with Oceanside.
He touched on how the guys there now and those coming in know the work that it takes and how that’s the mentality they all have. Niedermayer said Coach Powers preaches that if you work hard everything will be given to you.
“Yeah, I think the group of guys that we got down there, it’s going to be special to open up that new rink,” Niedermayer said.
What fans should look for
Niedermayer said he likes to score goals, get in around the net in the gritty areas and get under other players’ skin a little bit. He emphasized his ability to score, move the puck, play a 200 foot game and use his size to his advantage.
“I’m a powerful skater, I can move, I got a shot, I think my offensive game is there,” Niedermayer said.
Niedermayer tries to take in as much as he can from his dad who he said he’s learned a lot from him and taught him everything he knows. Niedermayer said the player he most models his game after is Auston Matthews. There are certain elements of Matthews’ game that Niedermayer says he thinks he has in his own.
“The way he can shoot the puck and generate and the way he buys time and opens up space for himself and the release he has is incredible,” Niedermayer said.
Getting to ASU and preparing for the season
Once he gets to Tempe, Niedermayer will start taking summer classes to get ahead of the eight ball and get school rolling a little bit. Niedermayer said it’ll be a little different getting back into the groove of things since he’s been out of school for the last couple years. But he’s excited to get to Tempe, get working and meet his teammates.
“I think it’s going to be something that’s going to definitely be a highlight in my life for sure,” Niedermayer said.
Niedermayer explained when he gets back to the US and transitions to ASU that an important element for him will be to stay true to himself. He said he’s going to do everything he needs to get back scoring goals and help the team win a national championship. Niedermayer is also pretty confident in the group of guys the team has assembled for this next season.
“I think a national championship is everyone’s goal and I think we got the group to do it.”
