Mark Jankowski

Mark Jankowski (born September 13, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who currently is playing for the Stockton Heat of the American Hockey League. He is a prospect of the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Calgary Flames, selected in the first round, 21st overall, at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He is the highest selected Canadian high school player in draft history, having played for Stanstead College for two seasons leading to the draft.

Amateur

Jankowski was a top scorer at the midget AAA level, where he played for the St. Catharines Minor Midget AAA Falcons of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association's South-Central Triple A Hockey League. However, he went unselected in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) midget draft as teams were concerned that at five feet, eight inches tall, he was too small to play the top level of junior hockey. He chose to play at Stanstead College, a prep school based in Stanstead, Quebec. He played two seasons for Stanstead, scoring 31 goals and 73 points in the 2010–11 high school team's season and 53 goals and 93 points in 57 games in 2011–12. During his second season at Stanstead, Jankowski committed to play college hockey for the Providence Friars. Boston University, Cornell, Harvard, Maine, and Penn State were also interested in his services, but he decided to follow Friars coach Nate Leaman, who had previously shown interest in Jankowski while coaching Union College, to Providence.

During his two seasons in Stanstead, Jankowski quickly gained height, growing to six feet, two inches tall while his play caught the attention of scouts. He was eventually selected in the 2012 OHL draft, taken as the 11th pick in the 7th round by the Saginaw Spirit though he declined to join the team. The National Hockey League (NHL)'s Central Scouting Bureau ranked Jankowski as the 43rd best prospect for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft in its final ranking, an improvement from his 74th place rank in previous reports. Other analysts ranked him higher, including Craig Button of The Sports Network, who placed him 41st. The Calgary Flames selected him in the first round, 21st overall. He is the highest-ever draft pick out of a Canadian high school. The Flames received some criticism for going "off the board" and selecting Jankowski well above his expected draft place, but assistant general manager John Weisbrod stated that while Jankowski's talent was "raw", other teams were certain to select him in the first round if the Flames did not. General manager Jay Feaster argued that Jankowski was one of the most talented players available in the draft.

Jankowski initially committed to play for the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League (USHL) in 2012–13 before for Providence. However, he decided to bypass the junior league and move directly to college following the Flames' 2012 rookie development camp, stating he believed he was ready despite the fact that he will be one of the youngest players in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Professional

Jankowski began his professional career on March 30, 2016, signing a two-year entry level contract with the Flames. The deal begins for the 2016-17 NHL season; for the remainder of 2015-16, Jankowski will play with the Flames' American Hockey League affiliate, the Stockton Heat. These games do not count towards his contract, which will expire following the completion of the 2017-18 NHL season. Jankowski was called up by the Flames in November 2016, making his NHL debut against the New York Islanders on November 28, 2016.

Mark Jankowski is a native of Dundas, Ontario. His grandfather, Lou, was a longtime professional player who appeared in 127 NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks in the 1950s. His great uncle is Hockey Hall of Famer, Red Kelly and his father, Len, played college hockey with the Cornell Big Red. His uncle, Ryan, is currently Hockey Canada's Director of Players Personnel, was once a scout for the Montreal Canadiens and was also previously an assistant general manager with the New York Islanders.