A little over a week after signing his contracts with the Canadiens and The Rocket, Jayden Struble will make his professional debut tonight. The 21-year-old left-handed defenseman will take on the Milwaukee Admirals at Place Bell Rink. Here are six things you need to know about him.
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As the Canadian’s second-round pick (46th overall) in the 2019 draft, he soon impressed Marc Bergevin by winning five of the 18 physical events at the Combine in Buffalo. “This guy is a Greek god,” the Canadian’s general manager said at the time.
The Rhode Island athlete made the leap into the world of hockey, but could have made it in other disciplines as well. He also grew up playing lacrosse, basketball, and baseball. In the latter discipline, he even took part in the Little League World Series.
ARCHIVE PHOTO, AGENCY QMI
He was born to an African American father, whom he never knew, and a Caucasian mother. In a post on Twitter in June 2020, he took a stand during the events following the death of George Floyd by speaking out against police brutality, systemic racism and racial injustice in the United States.
In four seasons with the Northeastern University Huskies, the six-foot-tall, 194-pound guard has never averaged more than 14 points (in 34 games). He is more of the physical type, good at defending his territory and starting the attack with a good first pass.
Photo: AFP
Jayden Strebel #3
Kent Hughes was Strubles’ agent until he was succeeded by Marc Bergevin as general manager of the Canadiens. At Northeastern, Struble was a teammate of Jordan Harris for three seasons.
In 2017 he was in the 12th round (214th overall) of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.