Jackson McLlwain looks for his niche in the OHL

South Huron Minor Hockey product joins the Windsor Spitfires in their run for a chip.

On his first few shifts in the Windsor Spitfires’ home opener against the Sarnia Sting Oct. 1, Jackson McLlwain (Exeter, Ont.) tried to calm his jitters and dive into the flow of the game.

The South Huron Minor Hockey and Huron-Perth Lakers product had been around elite players his entire life, thanks to family connections — his mother Kathy works with blue-chip NHLers as a powerskating coach, and his uncle Dave played over 500 games in the League.

Still, opening night at the WFCU Centre in a Spitfires jersey was an entirely new experience.

“It's definitely a feeling I'll never forget, being out there — definitely a thrill,” said McLlwain, a third-round Spitfires draft pick (53rd overall) in 2020.

“I was a little nervous during warm-ups and first few shifts in the first [period], but definitely — it sets in. I just try and play my game and do what I can out there.”

The game ended in a 2-1 overtime loss, and McLlwain was kept off the score sheet. But Windsor has been arguably the best team in the OHL’s Western Conference since then.

On a team that pushed the Hamilton Bulldogs to seven games in the 2022 OHL Championship Series last season, McLlwain is simply looking for a way to contribute.

“I’d definitely say I'm a playmaker — a power forward that's hard on the forecheck, sets up plays,” he said. “But definitely a big aspect of my game is my skating. I’m fast, good edge work, and I can score goals when I need to.”

At age 19, McLlwain has already mastered the hockey interview talking points. He says all the right things.

But he’s not bluffing or bragging when he points to skating as a trait that sets him apart.

He’s fielded advice from Kathy from the moment he first wore skates as a child, the same guidance she gives to household names like Bo Horvat and Corey Perry.

This past summer, when Kathy put Horvat and Perry through their paces, Jackson skated along with them, trying to glean the habits, technique and mentality he’ll need to climb into the pros.

“It’s definitely special, being able to skate with NHLers and pros all summer long,” he said. “Just to be on the ice with them, definitely it's a great experience, and it shows what it takes to get to the next level.”

This is McLlwain’s first time on the Spitfires’ opening day roster, after spending the bulk of the last two seasons with the Jr. B Komoka Kings.

In Komoka, he primarily skated on a line with his older brother Carter, registering seven goals and 17 assists in 47 regular season games last season. He was also called up for two games with the Spitfires before making the club in training camp this year.

“I try to listen to what my mom has to say, as much as I can,” he said.

“And it just shows how big a jump it is, even from Junior B to the OHL and then the OHL to the NHL — how good these guys are, and how big a commitment it is, trying your best every day and coming to the rink ready to work.”

Carter was team captain with Komoka last season, and a more prolific scorer. He’s since graduated to professional hockey in Germany while Jackson tries to find a role in the OHL.

If Jackson manages to stick in the Spitfires organization, he’ll join Ty Bilcke (Elimville, Ont.) as another South Huron product who helped them find a way to win.

“Just keep moving forward, keep getting better,” he said, rattling off another set of talking points that double as genuine goals for the year ahead.

“Try and get points out there, play my game on the ice, and contribute as much as I can for our team.”

Jackson McLlwain is the son of Kathy and Mark McLlwain of Exeter.