The Kid Gets A Shot

Every year in U SPORTS men's hockey, there are a handful of players who look like they're a level above everyone else. They make split-second decisions with the puck that usually results in good things, they skate effortlessly up and down the ice, and they always seem to the in the right spot at the right time. That's how Alberta Golden Bears forward Jakin Smallwood played the game, and he won't be touring western Canada this season with the University of Alberta because he's moving on to bigger things. Announced today by the Panthers, Penny DEL team ERC Ingolstadt signed Smallwood to a contract for the 2025-26 season! The Millet, Alberta native will suit up in Germany next season!

Smallwood really hit his stride in 2021-22 in his final WHL season with the Winnipeg Ice where he scored 25 goals and 68 points in 68 games as he anchored a right-wing position in the top-six. He would finish fifth in scoring for the Ice that season while helping the Ice to a 53-10-5 record and first-overall in the WHL. The Ice would rip through the Prince Albert Raiders and the Moose Jaw Warriors in five games apiece before the Edmonton Oil Kings downed the Ice in five games.

Smallwood, though, decided to take the next step by enrolling close to his hometown as he joined the Alberta Golden Bears. Under the watchful eye of former NHLer Ian Herbers, Smallwood exploded onto the Canada West scene with an incredible rookie season where he scored 16 goals and 35 points in 26 games to earn himself the Canada West Rookie of the Year honours. While the Golden Bears fell in the Canada West Final to the Calgary Dinos, Smallwood and his teammates would head to PEI for the U CUP National Championship where they played extremely well in the tournament, but came home with silver medals after falling 3-0 to the UNB Reds in the final.

Smallwood's 2023 kept getting better as the summer hit because he'd finally get a ring while putting one on his soulmate! Smallwood married Caitlyn Mourits in June 2023 in what was described as a beautiful ceremony, and they'd add another member to their team on July 17, 2024 when they welcomed a baby boy to the world!

Without prying too much into Jakin's personal life, his 2023-24 season wasn't as productive as he scored eight goals and 28 points in 28 games as Alberta fell to UBC in the Canada West semifinal, but, as stated above, he might have won the year with the addition to his family. In 2024-25, Smallwood would only score three goals and nine points in 17 games as Alberta fell in three games to the Mount Royal Cougars in the semifinal. Obviously, he had some decisions to make with a young family beside him when it came to his 2025-26 season.

That may be the reason for the move to Germany as Ingolstadt announced the signing of Smallwood today as the final addition to their roster for the 2025-26 season. While I'm not saying that Smallwood couldn't have played for Alberta this season, it's very possible that he can play hockey in Germany while completing his fourth year as a Business major abroad. In this regard, he's be doing what he loves to do and getting paid for it, enjoying European life with his wife and son, and he can earn his business degree. That's not a bad year at all when all things are considered!

He'll also be joining a very good team that has the likes of Kenny Agostino, Austen Keating, Morgan Ellis, and Matthew Bodie on it, and Smallwood will only make them better. Sam Ruopp, who played at the University of Saskatchewan, is one of the team's defenders, and Devin Williams, who spent one season at Acadia University, is one of the netminders. Ingolstadt led the Penny DEL in points last season, and it appears they're loading up for another run with the addition of Smallwood to their squad! I think he's going to do well!

It's easy to cheer for the guys who put the work in at the Canadian university level, and Smallwood certainly was a key piece of Alberta's success. He has a knack for scoring which will help Ingolstadt aim for a Penny DEL title, and I'm hoping his time in Germany will be an incredible experience for his entire family! Best of luck to Jakin, Caitlyn, and Henry as they begin a new chapter of life in Europe!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!