El Paso’s newest addition to the NAHL 2021-22 roster is forward Jackson Truchan. Read more about the Michigan forward below.
Hailing from Farmington Hills, Michigan, Jackson Truchan fell in love with the game of hockey when he was only three years old. “I just saw it on tv and when my parents would turn it off, I’d start crying and whining. Then they bought me mini nets and mini sticks and I started playing.” Fast-forward about 15 years and now Truchan is the Rhinos’ newest 2021-22 NAHL tender.
The forward was recruited by former Rhino and Associate Head Coach Vinny Bohn. Recalling their conversations, Truchan explained, “He described the atmosphere of the Rhino fan base and made me love it. He brought me down to the rink and I fell in love. I knew it was the place.” In early December, Jackson traveled to Rhino Country for a four-day visit where he skated with the team during practice and joined Zoom workouts. “I loved it. It was hard. Everyone was competing. Playing with older guys and having guys that are stronger gets you ready for college and higher levels.” From his few days in Rhino Country, Truchan recognized room for improvement: “I knew that I’d have to be way more physical.”
Despite Truchan hoping to improve his physicality, Bohn was impressed by how much he already does at only 5’6” and 150 lbs. “Jackson has been on our radar since day one,” Bohn explained. “He plays a lot bigger than his stature and he proved that when he came down and skated with our team this year. He has been able to provide offense at every level and we believe that’s going to translate into next season. He flies under the radar, but I believe but his blue-collar work ethic on and off the ice is what the Rhinos have always been about and what we’re building for the NAHL team.”
Jackson is the second Honda Victory player, after Jack Franklin, that has tendered with the Rhinos for 2021-22. Jackson said that he and Franklin have spoken about how they’re looking forward to playing in Rhino Country, but Truchan admits that he was committed to playing for the Rhinos before he spoke to Franklin. “I was already convinced when Vinny started talking.”
This season, with Victory Honda 18U AAA, Truchan has tallied 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points in 33 games. Despite currently leading the team in points, he doesn’t make much of it. “I’m just trying to do whatever I can to help the team win,” he said casually.
Bohn and the Rhinos are ready to welcome Truchan’s attitude and talent. “We’re excited to have Jackson, who is playing with Jack Franklin and Coach Burke from Victory Honda this year, on the Rhino team and we’re counting on Jackson to take advantage of his opportunity here in Rhino Country.”
Ten Things with Jackson Truchan
1. If you had three wishes, what would you wish for?
a. 1 million dollars
b. To play a game in the NHL
c. A private jet (and the first place he’d go in that jet is Hawaii)
2. What talent would you want to possess if you could? Singing
“You can make a career with a voice. It could be a backup career.” He said he doesn’t sing now, but he does watch The Voice frequently and Blake Shelton is his favorite judge on the show.
3. When do you feel the most in control on the ice? Offensive zone
“In the offensive zone when I have the puck.”
4. If you could interview a famous person, who would you choose? What’s the one question you’d be sure to ask? Michael Jordan; What did he do everyday to make him a legend?
5. What’s your worst habit? Biting nails
His solution for quitting the habit? “I just try to cut them as quick as I can.”
6. What is the silliest way you’ve been injured? Running into a tree
“I ran into a tree, full speed sprint.” When he was nine, he was playing tag and looking backwards while running. Jackson ended the game with a busted nose.
7. If you had to listen to one band or musician for the rest of your life, who would it be? Drake
Of Drake’s catalogue, “God’s Plan” is Jackson’s favorite song.
8. Biggest pet peeve? Talking behind others’ backs
He hates when people talk behind others’ backs instead of saying it to that person’s face.
9. What’s the phone app you use most? Snapchat
10. What’s the one thing on your bucket list you want to do most? Parasailing
“I hope to go parasailing in Florida soon.”
According to NAHL.com, “A tender is a contract, of sorts, a player signs announcing his intentions to play for that particular NAHL team and that NAHL team only. Once a player signs a tender with an NAHL team, his playing rights belong to that team within the NAHL and he may not be recruited by any other NAHL team. Each team is granted ten (10) tenders – plus or minus any trades – which become active on Nov. 1. Tendered players are not eligible for the NAHL draft.”
