What’s it like for a coveted prospect to have to sit around and wait to hear his name called at the NHL Entry Draft?
“A little nervous, for sure,” said Kimball Union defenseman Jordan Harris. “You go through the teams and your interviews and try to think about what connections you have. You definitely feel the nerves.”
Fortunately, Harris didn’t have to wait long. The Haverhill, Mass., native was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the third round with the 71st overall pick.
“It’s a whirlwind right now. It’s a tremendous honor to be drafted by a team like Montreal with its past. I’m extremely grateful,” said Harris.
It didn’t take long for Harris to get acquainted with the Montreal media, either. After putting on a Canadiens hat and jersey, he was whisked away to the media area, where he took the podium in front of lights, cameras, microphones and recorders.
“It was surreal. You definitely try to be as honest as you can. Montreal is known for their hockey,” said Harris.
Committed to Northeastern University, Harris had his mom, Ginny, his father, Peter, and brother, Elijah, with him at American Airlines Center in Dallas and throughout the weekend in the Lone Star State.
“It meant the world. All those people have done tremendous things for me as a player and a person. Their support and their presence made me feel more comfortable. I was really appreciative,” said Harris, who also was greeted by Northeastern coach Jim Madigan (Milton, Mass.) when the selection was made. In addition, Nick Martino and Eric Quinlan, his family advisors from Boston Management Group, accompanied him to the draft.
His brother, three years his elder, is committed to playing college hockey for Division 3 upstart Endicott College in the fall. Elijah also played at Kimball Union before playing junior hockey in the USPHL with the Boston Junior Bruins.
“We both push each other. I definitely look up to him as a player and a hard worker. He has the drive to get better. We always tried to do stuff together,” said Jordan.
With his brother being a goalie, Jordan had the chance to improve on his shot while he tested his brother’s glove hand in the backyard.
“He’d put on his glove and I’d take some shots. He chipped my tooth once,” Jordan joked.
His father played college hockey at UMass Lowell and is now an athletic trainer, while his mom is a nurse case manager at Massachusetts General Hospital.
“He’s coached me forever. He consistently comes from right place even when I’d get mad at him. I always trusted him,” said Jordan of his father’s mentoring of his hockey abilities.
Jordan arrived in Dallas on June 21 and was able to enjoy some of the local flavor of the city, including eating at the world-renowned Pecan Lodge, a Texas barbecue joint.
He spent Saturday night at a post-draft banquet hosted by the Montreal Canadiens where he was able to meet more of the organization’s development staff.
Throughout the season, he developed a relationship with Bobby Kinsella, head of U.S. scouting for the Canadiens.
Harris also enjoyed watching fellow New Englanders Oliver Wahlstrom, Jay O’Brien and Jake Wise get drafted.
Harris is now off to Montreal Canadiens Development Camp, where he’ll have the opportunity to compete against and learn with the organization’s other top prospects.
“Taking it all in,” said Harris of what he’s looking forward to at camp. “Learning more about the history of their organization and what their goals are as an organization. Learning from guys who have gone through it.”
A future Northeastern teammate, goaltender Cayden Primeau, Montreal’s seventh-round pick in 2017, also will be at the camp.
What can Northeastern and Montreal fans expect of Harris in the future?
“I’m a two-way defenseman. I like to contribute on both ends of the ice. I like to be responsible in my ‘D’ end and use my skating to get sticks on pucks then join the rush coming back up the ice,” Harris said of his game.
