'A Force To Be Reckoned With': Jan Jenik's Showcase Season

Coyotes prospect Jan Jenik put together an OHL season filled with promise -- and full of points.
Indeed, the 19-year-old Hamilton Bulldogs forward strung together a point streak that lasted 26 games, from September 27 to December 6.
The 6'1", 180 lbs. Jenik was selected by the Coyotes in the third round of the 2018 draft, number 65 overall, and was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract in March 2019.

"The thing I liked about him the most this year] was his consistency," Assistant General Manager Steve Sullivan said. "He has an identity to his game, he knows what it is, and he sticks to it. He's heavy and he's hard to play against. He mixes in some skill, and his 'compete level' - his 'compete level' doesn't change. Having the mindset to be your best every single night is hard to find, and we're really excited that Jan has that."
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Jenik's aformentioned 26-game point streak was one game shy of tying John Tavares (TOR), Connor McDavid (EDM) and Alex DeBrincat (CHI) for the third-longest OHL point streak of the century. He was named the OHL Player of the Month for November, when he put up an astounding 31 points (11G, 20A) in 12 games.
"I had great teammates around me which really helped," Jenik said. "It was really fun to play around those guys, make those points and do something for the organization of the Hamilton Bulldogs."
Jenik totaled 56 points in 27 games and was on pace to contend for the Ontario Hockey League scoring title, before suffering a season-ending injury at the 2020 World Junior Championships on December 30.
Born in Nymburk, a town of 1,500 in the Czech Republic, Jenik
had a most memorable moment
at the World Junior Championship tournament -- which took place in his home country - before being sidelined: he wristed home the game-winning goal for his host-country Czech Republic's 4-3 win over Russia in the opening game.
He registered three points (2G, 1A) in the tournament, before going down with a lower-body injury in the third game.
"Jan is a unique player that blends high-level skill with competitiveness," said General Manager John Chayka. "He's willing to go to the hard areas of the ice, and that really translates well to the NHL game. Regardless of his injury, he was going to have to spend time on his body and mature physically. He's been working extremely hard at rehabbing, and we believe he has a bright future."
"He had an outstanding (OHL) season," Sullivan added. "He definitely became one of the - if not the most - dominant power forwards in the OHL. Just a force to be reckoned with every single night."
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He made an impression even before that. During the preseason rookie tournament in September, he led the Coyotes' prospect-laden roster with three goals.
"This all started for me last June when I came to Arizona to do my summer workouts, and it really helped me in all aspects, even in learning [English], just to get comfortable," he said. "So. I was really confident after last summer. I felt really good, and then I just went to [the rookie tournament] and I played my best."
He's maintained close contact with Coyotes development coach Mark Bell, especially during trying times the past few months with the injury. "It's great to have someone to talk to that I can be really comfortable with."

Jenik currently still is rehabbing, spending much of his time in Arizona working with team medical and training staff. "I'm feeling better every day and I'm working out every day, though I take time off on weekends, but it's been great so far."
The hope is that his next hockey, too, will be taking place in Arizona.
"The future is always in the player's hands," Sullivan said of Jenik. "We don't preach any positioning for the player or where they're going to play. It always unfolds and the player makes that decision by what kind of training camp he has and what kind of summer he has.
"I know it's going to be difficult for him to fight for a spot for the big club. When you're returning from an injury like that it's very difficult. But most likely he'll start in Tucson. How long he stays there will be up to him."

Lead Photo Credit: Richard A. Whittaker - Icon Sportswire via Getty Images // Second Photo Credit: Norm Hall - Arizona Coyotes // Footer Photo Credit: Norm Hall - Arizona Coyotes