Ottawa Senators management and fans alike have reason to feel excited about the dynamic potential of their 2026 first-round draft pick, forward Jaxon Cover.
Cover, selected by the Senators 32nd overall in the NHL draft, is coming off a solid rookie season with the OHL’s London Knights, which saw this dynamic 18-year-old, 6’2 “, 185-pound left winger finish second in team scoring with 52 points (20 goals, 32 assists) while showing his aggressiveness on the ice by racking up 48 PIMs.
Ranked 29th among North American skaters by Central Scouting, Cover has had quite the unorthodox path to hockey stardom, given that he didn’t even start playing ice hockey until age 13.
In a scenario that reads like an inspirational movie script, five years after taking up ice hockey, Cover made hockey history when, on June 26 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, he became the first player from the Cayman Islands to be drafted into the NHL.
“I feel that if you really, truly do love something, you don’t need to play it your whole life or need to grow up playing it,” Cover said. “I want to teach kids from unconventional places that even though you’re from an unconventional place, you can still play a sport that you love, or you can find a passion that you love.”
Cover’s hockey journey began in the Cayman Islands when, as a three-year-old, he was introduced to inline hockey.
In the years that followed, Cover became a dominant inline hockey player and was recognized for many great individual accomplishments, including being named MVP and fastest inline skater at the 2016 North American Roller Hockey Championship.
According to The Hockey News, Cover played against players in their thirties in the pro division at a NARCH tournament in California.
“I got the opportunity to watch (him) when (I was) in the Cayman Islands and playing roller hockey, and watch his growth through that,” Pat Maroon, who is a three-time Stanley Cup winner, said. “Then, all of a sudden, he’s on ice hockey. Then, all of a sudden, he’s playing for the London Knights. His growth has really taken off, and you’ve got to remember that’s all from playing roller hockey.”
When his family moved to Canada, Cover, now 13, was enrolled at St. Andrews College in Aurora, Ontario, and was introduced to ice hockey. Five years later, with a tireless work ethic and sheer determination, Cover would be drafted in the 2024 OHL Draft, 64th overall by the London Knights. Two years later, he achieved the ultimate goal when Ottawa called his name at the NHL Draft.
So far this season with the Knights, Cover has been simply dominant, scoring seven points (four goals and three assists), posting a plus-minus of +4, and taking six PIMs in six games.
Praised by scouts for creativity, offensive flashes and agility on the ice, Cover was also praised by Senators scout Beau Moyer, who said Cover “Has that knack for making the big play when you least expect it.”
About a month after being drafted by Ottawa, Cover was greeted with a huge island welcome when his plane landed at the Cayman Islands International Airport on Saturday, July 25. The warm, thunderous reception came from residents who flocked to the airport to congratulate the young, up-and-coming hockey player.
“It feels great. Just having that welcome was amazing, and seeing how many people are here supporting me is great,” Cover said. “It feels great to be back home to spend time with family and friends, and just enjoy the sun.”
In mid-September, Cover definitely captured the attention of Senators fans from all across the globe when, at the National Hockey League Prospect Challenge rookie tournament in Gatineau, Quebec, this up-and-comer put on a memorable show, producing seven points.
Cover opened the tournament on September 12 with a three-point performance, including the 4-3 overtime winner against the Leafs, before following it up the next day with two goals in a 5-4 loss against the Canadiens.
“Going into this, I wasn’t really thinking about points, just trying to play my game and keep it simple, but the puck just kept finding my stick and (was) trying to capitalize on my chances and show I could score goals.”
It might be a few years before Cover joins the Senators, but fans are sure to follow his every step as he gets closer to playing in the NHL.
Cover’s potential offers Senators fans plenty of reason to be excited about the future.
Photo: Courtesy NHL
