After three seasons in green and white, 20-year-old Kindersley Jr. Klippers goaltender Cody Jaman has committed to the University of Augustana Vikings of the ACAC for the upcoming season.
Coming to Kindersley for the 2022–23 season, Jaman started 89 games in his Klippers career for a 3.55 goals-against average and .900 SV%. Sharing starts for each of the last three years Jaman also started six playoff games, earning a win in Game 4 of this year's first round series against the Melfort Mustangs.
Jaman returned to Kindersley for his 20-year-old season penciled in as the starting goaltender, before an ankle injury derailed the start to his season. Jaman worked his way back into the Klippers lineup by the end of October and managed to put together a nice season going 9-7-1-1, posting a .902 SV% and 3.03 GAA in the process, also earning both Klippers shutouts this season on January 11 vs Nipawin, and February 8 against Humboldt.
(Highlight from 2023-2024 season via Kindersley Klippers on Facebook)
Watching Jaman's story unfold over the years, Klippers assistant GM Ryan Gibson shared some comments on the veteran goaltender.
"I think Cody, there are very few kids in hockey that work half as hard as him. For him, he was hurt at the start of the year and then had some struggles at different times but played his best hockey right at the end of the regular season into playoffs." said Gibson, calling the end of season stretch a testemant to Jaman's work ethic.
"We are super proud of him for playing three-years in Kindersley. Battled through highs and lows, but just kept working, right?"
Gibson said that kids with Jaman's work ethic don't come around often. As involved as he was with the team, Jaman was also a big part of the community as a goalie coach among other volunteer opportunities.
"We are super happy for him. Hopefully he has a great career at (Augustana), and can play beyond college..."
The Klippers were forced to readjust their plans at goaltender before the season when Jaman got hurt. It turned into a positive as the team saw Brett O'Halloran put in a season worthy of nominations for both Rookie of the Year, and Goaltender of the Year in the SJHL.
Gibson talked about the importance of having two good goaltenders, a big reason the Klippers took the eighth and final playoff spot.
"You always think you have a plan, then a guy goes down and you have to pivot. But I mean it was good for Brett at the same time, get a bunch of games in as a young guy right away."
Gibson brought the conversation back to Jaman, wishing the young goalie luck as he enters the next level.
"Super happy for Cody, it's awesome to see. He is happy, which is most important."
Jaman will now look to build on a strong final season of junior entering university hockey. Find comments from Klippers head coach and GM Clayton Jardine below: