In the Portage Terriers history, only a select few have ever been drafted by an NHL franchise.
Jason Kasdorf is a success story for the franchise, backstopping the team to an MJHL title in 2011, leading the Terriers to the 2011 RBC Cup, and becoming the sixth ever pick by the Winnipeg Jets 2.0, 157th overall.
Kasdorf says his days in Portage under the tutelage of former Terrier Goalie Coach Jimmy Tkachyk were largely about technical learning.
"I think the biggest thing that Jimmy taught was keeping my hands in front, challenging the puck, and then also just being a little more in control. I think sometimes I got a little bit aggressive, and he taught me to rein in my game a little bit, don't be slipping and sliding too much, just stay on my feet."
Kasdorf adds that the things he learned are a part of what allowed him to get to the pros.
"I think the things he taught me are kind of the essentials at the next level, the things that can be the difference between goals going in and making a save. The big thing, I remember when Jimmy was teaching me about keeping my hands in front of me and taking away the angle from the puck. I think it helped me so much, and it's things I try now to teach my goalies, and things that I think are important for any goalie."
These days, Kasdorf has a new way to fill some of his time. In a bit of a full-circle moment, he has taken over as the Terriers' Goalie Coach, following Tkachyk's decision to step away from the role. Kasdorf adds that he has really enjoyed working with the duo in Portage so far.
"I think I've had it a little bit easy with two guys that work super hard, they want to learn, and they're great goalies. I don't think you can really ask for much more. They've both been playing really good, and so it makes my job a little easier. And every time I come here, they want to learn, they want to do drills, they want to get better every day. I think it's kind of a goalie coaches dream, and I couldn't be happier with the two guys that I have here."
In his spare time, Kasdorf also does some goaltending for the Winnipeg Jets from time to time.
"I'm not the EBUG (Emergency Back-Up Goalie), I'm not allowed to be because I signed an NHL contract. But I serve as the practice goalie, so I get out and practice with them, which has been awesome, a lot of fun. A bunch of the guys that I was drafted with to the Jets, a lot of them are still around, so a lot of familiar faces. It's fun being back with that organization, a lot of the same people. So, I'm comfortable there, I feel appreciated and it's really nice being there."
Kasdorf adds that he's glad to be back with the Terrier organization, and that he loves the community and wants to give back however he can while helping Terrier netminders achieve the best that they can.