BC Hockey Preview of Champions: Travis Jeke, #8

We already have two Pittsburgh natives on this Boston College hockey team, and they’re pretty good, so why not add another? That might not have exactly been Jerry York’s line of thinking when recruiting Travis Jeke, a freshman defenseman from the ‘Burgh, but nevertheless, here he is.

It should be noted, however, that this 19-year old newcomer to the Eagles has bounced all over the place. Jeke apparently attended middle school in Michigan before going to Lake Placid, New York for high school. He played for the Northwood School, just like senior defenseman Patch Alber before him. Last year, Jeke had a productive season, notching 31 points (including ten goals) in 43 games, but had 39 points (19 goals) the year before. For a defenseman, that’s pretty good, especially in terms of the goals scored.

There was hope that Jeke might be a late selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft earlier this year, but the thirty clubs passed on him.

If Jeke is in fact a defensive player with a respectable offensive game, then he will find his way onto the ice without too much of an issue. He will, of course, have to earn whatever playing time he gets, but all indications are that he is a talented young man and could catch on at some point during his stay at Boston College. I would personally expect him to get a fair amount of ice time in the 2012-13 season.

Now go follow him on Twitter.