Rookie of the year. Mid-America All-College Hockey First Team. Defenseman of the Year. Most points scored by a KSU defenseman. What do these four of his accomplishments have in common? They were all accomplished by one relentless player with a force to be reckoned with: JJ Creighton.
21 year old Kent State University freshman JJ Clayton He has taken a long journey throughout his life to get to where he is today.
As a kid, the Canfield native was inspired by his closest professional hockey team, the Youngstown Steelhounds. After these games, free skating sessions were held, where Clayton and his family discovered his brilliance and passion for ice skating, which quickly transferred to the hockey world.
Following this discovery, he began taking figure skating lessons to learn how to cope with new areas such as ice. This was immediately associated with the beginning of Clayton's hockey career, but it was just the beginning.
While attending Ursuline, a Catholic high school, Clayton played for the Cleveland Barons in the Elite Tier 1AAA League, the highest level of youth hockey in the United States. Although he had about 30 offers to play in the NCAA during his college years, Creighton wanted to take a few years off from school to further develop his skills.
During the two-year hiatus, Creighton played as follows. team maryland, part of the Eastern Hockey League, and stayed with a host family.In his second year with the team, he captain. Although he was extremely grateful for this opportunity, the young athlete decided it was time to move closer to home and pursue the life as a student-athlete, which includes but is not limited to several professional offers. I declined the offer.
The freshman said Kent State was the obvious choice, considering the school's size, “sick” downtown, and proximity to his hometown and hockey team.
“The important thing was to play closer to home because we have a family business around here and that's what I wanted to do after college,” he said.
The family business, Austintown Dairy, was a big part of Clayton's decision to major in business administration. During the off-season, he plans to return home and work at his family's company. This degree will help him further expand the Austintown dairy industry.
Clayton said it took time for him to come into his own as a student-athlete.
“It was a little tough going from just playing hockey to playing hockey and going to school and getting into everyday life,” Clayton said.
Nevertheless, he was named to the dean's list in his first semester. The lack of free time proved a bit difficult as he needed to “keep his life disciplined, both academically and on a personal level.” Besides his own discipline, it's his teammates who have helped him stay on track.
Clayton said having several teammates in his class makes it easier to maintain a schedule, but one teammate in particular that Clayton has had the opportunity to become very close with is the Maryland Boys' 3. They say it's a person.
The four boys, Clayton, TJ Avelino, Matt Parker and Nick Falkowski, have a history together, having played together on Maryland teams and still living together. This little herd is always together, especially since they share many of the same classes.
Clayton said the three boys were very supportive and meant a lot to him.
“They're like brothers. They're great roommates and good friends. I couldn't ask for better friends,” he said.
Other than his teammates, Creighton's biggest support system was his family, especially his parents. He said he quickly recognized the sacrifices his parents made to build him a successful future in hockey and college. From buying a jersey with his name and number on it to playing in nearly every game, Clayton knows his family is extremely devoted to him.
“They give up their free time and their money just for me to go play hockey and have fun,” he said.
Additionally, Creighton was able to become part of the brotherhood on the ice.
“It's just a big family. We look out for each other. No matter what someone needs, someone is there for them. Some of our players have been through something this year. But we were right there for them,” Clayton said.
Saying goodbye to the seniors was especially difficult because the team was so close. His younger students love him like an older brother. They show them the ropes, make sure the young players are ready for the role, and lead the incoming players toward a national title.
Throughout this past season, Creighton broke records for the most points by a defenseman and was named Rookie of the Year, Defenseman of the Year and First Team All-CHMA. An incredible feat for a first-year player. The freshman finished the season with 45 points, including the playoffs. He made the point that “we couldn't have done it without it.” [his] teammates, coaches, and [wants] To guide the program in the right direction. ”
The team's head coach Zach Nowak and assistant coach Alex Sanchez both said the coaching staff strongly believes Creighton has set the standard necessary to win a championship. They said he is a leader among his teammates and his relationship with them shows he has the potential to be a captain in the future.
“From my point of view, [his future] It's promising. As a freshman, he helped steer the program in the right direction. If you look at his resume and his history in hockey, he's been a leader everywhere he's played,” Sanchez said.
Clayton said he has big ambitions for next season because he knows this team has potential.
“We're going to win a national title,” he said.
Jess Davis is a reporter. To contact her, [email protected].
