Born and raised in the Cayman Islands, Jaxon Cover took one of the most unconventional paths to major junior hockey. In this episode of My Hockey Hero, Jackson joins Dean to share how roller hockey on a Caribbean island led him all the way to the London Knights and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL).
Jaxon reflects on:
- Discovering roller hockey at age three and representing the Cayman Islands in travel tournaments across the U.S.
- Moving to Canada at 12, learning ice hockey from scratch at St. Andrew’s College, and his first tryouts with the Aurora Tigers.
- The coaching and mentorship that propelled him to the U16 York Simcoe team and ultimately being drafted in the 4th round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection.
- His first games and first hat trick in the OHL, the challenge of adapting to the size, speed, and physicality of the CHL, and the importance of teammates and mentors like Ben Wilmot.
- How idols like Sidney Crosby and rising NHL star Macklin Celebrini inspire his work ethic, mindset, and goals for the future.
Jaxon also shares his pregame routines, the mental side of dealing with slumps, and offers heartfelt advice for young players chasing big dreams from unlikely places.
What is My Hockey Hero?
Stories of hockey's diverse heroes, from early trailblazers to rising new talent. Their own stories in their own words, featuring players from all levels of the professional game. Together, we will bring the cards to life to understand the personality and the drive that allowed them to break down barriers.Hosted by Dean Barnes.