OJS Player Profile: Jaren Burke
Ottawa native Jaren Burke enters his final CCHL season, continuing his role as a leader on the ice, but also as a veteran.
Early last season, Burke was traded from the Gloucester Rangers to the Junior Senators for whom he played 51 games. Scoring 12 goals and 14 assists, Burke helped the team win an Yzerman Division title, which also came with the hopes of a CCHL championship.
Previously, Burke’s only other playoff experience was with Gloucester in 2014-15, where they won their first round play-in series 2-0, before getting swept by OJS 4-0. In the small sample size of those six games, Burke scored four points (2G, 2A), but this form translated well in last year’s run to the CCHL Final. Playing in 16 games, Burke had 14 points (6G, 8A), showcasing his worth as a player who can get it done no matter the game or pressure.
Burke has always played forward, but before becoming a left winger, played center. “I played center until I got to junior hockey,” said Burke. “But my coach moved me over because he said I fit more of a power forward role, which is easier to play from the wing.”
Thus far in 2015-16, the ’96 born Burke has seven points (3G 4A) in nine games, continuing to not only be an intimidating power forward standing at 6-3 and weighing in at 215 pounds, but also a dangerous player who can net points for head coach Martin Dagenais.
“It was his size and his willingness to drive the net,” said Dagenais, on why he traded for Burke. “He also has deceiving speed. Now that he is on our side, we realize that he is also a quality individual who has a relentless work ethic.”
Burke’s play has done the talking for him thus far with OJS. But his hard work has also earned him a place as one of OJS’ three alternate captains this season. With this bigger role and additional avenue to help the team, Burke feels the goals of the team and his own, which are intertwined, can be achieved:
“My personal goals, I’m just looking to try and improve all the time. I’d really like to try and give myself the opportunity to get a Division I scholarship. I think I can do that this year, but winning, having a good team, and playing well, will help me with any personal goals I have. As long as the team does well, everything else should fall into place.”
Burke has generated interest and visited schools in his hopes for a Division I scholarship, but he also looks forward to getting his degree, with a few ideas for his major:
“I’m at Carleton right now, taking criminology. Business, some entrepreneurships I’d like to look into, maybe English, which I was really good at in high school. A big draw of college hockey is getting your degree, so that’s never a bad thing.”
Ottawa native Jaren Burke enters his final CCHL season, continuing his role as a leader on the ice, but also as a veteran.
Early last season, Burke was traded from the Gloucester Rangers to the Junior Senators for whom he played 51 games. Scoring 12 goals and 14 assists, Burke helped the team win an Yzerman Division title, which also came with the hopes of a CCHL championship.
Previously, Burke’s only other playoff experience was with Gloucester in 2014-15, where they won their first round play-in series 2-0, before getting swept by OJS 4-0. In the small sample size of those six games, Burke scored four points (2G, 2A), but this form translated well in last year’s run to the CCHL Final. Playing in 16 games, Burke had 14 points (6G, 8A), showcasing his worth as a player who can get it done no matter the game or pressure.
Burke has always played forward, but before becoming a left winger, played center. “I played center until I got to junior hockey,” said Burke. “But my coach moved me over because he said I fit more of a power forward role, which is easier to play from the wing.”
Thus far in 2015-16, the ’96 born Burke has seven points (3G 4A) in nine games, continuing to not only be an intimidating power forward standing at 6-3 and weighing in at 215 pounds, but also a dangerous player who can net points for head coach Martin Dagenais.
“It was his size and his willingness to drive the net,” said Dagenais, on why he traded for Burke. “He also has deceiving speed. Now that he is on our side, we realize that he is also a quality individual who has a relentless work ethic.”
Burke’s play has done the talking for him thus far with OJS. But his hard work has also earned him a place as one of OJS’ three alternate captains this season. With this bigger role and additional avenue to help the team, Burke feels the goals of the team and his own, which are intertwined, can be achieved:
“My personal goals, I’m just looking to try and improve all the time. I’d really like to try and give myself the opportunity to get a Division I scholarship. I think I can do that this year, but winning, having a good team, and playing well, will help me with any personal goals I have. As long as the team does well, everything else should fall into place.”
Burke has generated interest and visited schools in his hopes for a Division I scholarship, but he also looks forward to getting his degree, with a few ideas for his major:
“I’m at Carleton right now, taking criminology. Business, some entrepreneurships I’d like to look into, maybe English, which I was really good at in high school. A big draw of college hockey is getting your degree, so that’s never a bad thing.”
