Wikipedia

Jonah Gadjovich

Jonah Gadjovich (born October 12, 1998) is a Canadian ice hockey left winger for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 55th overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Canucks. He previously played for the Canucks and the San Jose Sharks. He won the Stanley Cup with the Panthers in 2024.

Jonah Gadjovich
Born (1998-10-08) October 8, 1998 (age 26)
Whitby, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 209 lb (95 kg; 14 st 13 lb)
Position Left wing
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Florida Panthers
Vancouver Canucks
San Jose Sharks
NHL draft 55th overall, 2017
Vancouver Canucks
Playing career 2019–present

Growing up in Whitby, Ontario, Gadjovich began playing minor ice hockey with the Whitby Wildcats of the Eastern AAA Hockey League. He was soon drafted by the Owen Sound Attack in the second round of the 2014 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection. Through his tenure with the Attack, Gadjovich accumulated 89 goals and 66 assists through 228 games played.

Early life

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Gadjovich was born on October 8, 1998, in Whitby, Ontario.[1] He was born into an athletic family as his uncles Blair and Tony MacDonald were active within the National Hockey League (NHL). Blair played 219 career NHL games with the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks while Tony is the director of amateur scouting for the Carolina Hurricanes.[2]

Playing career

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Amateur

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Growing up in Whitby, Ontario, Gadjovich began playing minor ice hockey with the Whitby Wildcats of the Eastern AAA Hockey League. While with the team, he competed for Team OMHA White at the Gold Cup in Kitchener where he tallied a goal and three assists in five games.[1][3] During the 2013–14 season, he had tallied 15 goals and 15 assists before signing a standard player agreement with the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He had originally been drafted by the Attack in the second round, 39th overall, in the 2014 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.[4] Following the signing, Gadjovich, and teammate Victor Mete were selected by Hockey Canada to participate in their 2014 National Under-17 Development Camp.[5] He returned to the Attack for his rookie season and notched his first career OHL goal on October 5, 2014, in a 7–2 win over the Ottawa 67's.[6] Gadjovich finished his rookie season with four goals and five assists for nine points through 60 games.[1]

Gadjovich improved offensively in his first year of draft eligibility and finished the 2016–17 season with 46 goals through 60 games.[1] His first career OHL hat-trick came on January 7, 2017, in a 5–1 win over the Windsor Spitfires to lead the Attack to their ninth consecutive win.[7] He scored his second hat-trick of the season two games later to help set an Attack franchise record with 11th consecutive wins.[8] On February 11, Gadjovich tallied his third OHL hat-trick in a 10–5 win over the Ottawa 67's to lead the Attack to their eighth win in 10 games.[9] During a game against the London Knights, Gadjovich recorded his fourth hat-trick of the season to help the team qualify for the 2017 Ontario Hockey League Playoffs.[10] During the game, he was cross-checked by Max Jones who was subsequently suspended for 10 games.[11] At the conclusion of the season, Gadjovich was selected for the OHL Second All-Star Team.[12] As the 2017 NHL Entry Draft approached, Gadjovich was given a final ranking of 39th amongst North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. He had originally been ranked 60th overall in November but his breakout season earned him a jump in the standings.[13]

Gadjovich was eventually drafted in the second round, 55th overall, by the Vancouver Canucks[14] after they acquired the pick from the Columbus Blue Jackets as compensation for the Blue Jackets hiring John Tortorella.[15] He returned to the Attack for the 2017–18 season where he played eight games before signing an entry-level contract with the Canucks.[14]

Professional

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Vancouver Canucks

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Gadjovich concluded his major junior ice hockey career at end of the 2017–18 season and joined the Canucks American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Utica Comets, for the 2018–19 season. However, he did not compete in the Canucks' Summer Showcase game at Rogers Arena as he was recovering from a wrist injury suffered during the OHL playoffs.[16] He made his professional debut on October 5, 2018, in the Comets' season opener against the Toronto Marlies.[17] He later scored his first professional goal on November 9 in a 4–3 shootout win over the Hartford Wolf Pack to lead the team to a 5–3–1 record.[18] As Gadjovich continued to display his offensive prowess, Comets coach Trent Cull gave him time on the Comets' power play as a replacement for Zack MacEwen.[19] He finished his first professional season with four goals and 10 points through 40 games.[20]

Following his rookie season, Gadjovich was invited to participate in the Canucks development camp prior to the 2019–20 season. However, he was subsequently re-assigned to the Comets prior to the start of the season.[21] By December, Gadjovich had surpassed his previous season's goal total with five goals through 12 games.[20] Due to various injuries and illness throughout the shortened season, Gadjovich was held to only 38 games but he still set career-highs with 13 goals and four assists for 17 points along with 32 penalty minutes.[22]

Gadjovich continued to produce and score goals in his third professional season. In May, he led the Comets with 15 goals and earned his first career NHL call-up after recording a Gordie Howe hat trick.[23] Gadjovich subsequently made his NHL debut on May 17, 2021, against the Calgary Flames, where he played 4:55 in the 6–5 overtime loss.[24] As a result of his overall play during the season, Gadjovich was voted the Comets' Most Valuable Player, which is voted on by media members, and the Tom McVie Award for the coach’s most valuable player.[25]

San Jose Sharks

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On October 7, 2021, Gadjovich was claimed off waivers by the San Jose Sharks. Upon claiming him, Sharks general manager Doug Wilson praised him as a "skater who can use his size to his advantage."[26] Gadjovich was subsequently named to their NHL roster and made his debut against the Boston Bruins on October 24, 2021. During that game, he tallied his first NHL point, an assist, on Jasper Weatherby's goal in an eventual 4–3 loss to the Bruins.[27] His first goal came on February 27, 2022, in a 3–1 victory over the Seattle Kraken.[28] He re-signed to a one-year contract on August 29, 2022.[29]

Florida Panthers

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Leaving the Sharks organization after two seasons, Gadjovich initially signed a one-year AHL deal with the Charlotte Checkers on July 2, 2023.[30] Approaching the 2023–24 season, Gadjovich accepted an invitation to attend the affiliated Florida Panthers training camp. Remaining with the team through pre-season and before making an appearance with the Checkers, Gadjovich was signed to a one-year, $810,000 contract with the Panthers on October 17, 2023.[31] Gadjovich made his season debut with the Checkers before he was recalled and made his Florida Panthers debut in a 2–1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on November 17, 2023.[32]

On March 7, 2024, Gadjovich was signed to a two-year contract extension by the Panthers.[33] In his first season with the Panthers, Gadjovich won the Stanley Cup in 2024. He played 39 regular season games but did not dress in the playoffs. Florida requested Gadjovich's name be included on the Stanley Cup for spending the whole season with the team.[34]

International play

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Medal record
Representing   Canada
ice hockey
IIHF World U20 Championship
  2018 United States

Gadjovich was selected to the Team Canada's under-20 team for the 2018 World Junior Championships in Buffalo, New York, winning gold.[35] He was named a player of the game for scoring two goals against Slovakia.[36]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2013–14 Whitby Wildcats ETAHL 23 15 15 30 20 4 0 2 2 0
2014–15 Owen Sound Attack OHL 60 4 5 9 59 3 0 0 0 0
2015–16 Owen Sound Attack OHL 66 14 10 24 42 6 1 1 2 6
2016–17 Owen Sound Attack OHL 60 46 28 74 32 17 4 3 7 8
2017–18 Owen Sound Attack OHL 42 25 23 48 42 9 2 2 4 2
2018–19 Utica Comets AHL 43 4 6 10 32 — — — — —
2019–20 Utica Comets AHL 38 13 4 17 32 — — — — —
2020–21 Utica Comets AHL 19 15 3 18 17 — — — — —
2020–21 Vancouver Canucks NHL 1 0 0 0 17 — — — — —
2021–22 San Jose Sharks NHL 43 1 2 3 74 — — — — —
2022–23 San Jose Sharks NHL 35 3 4 7 57 — — — — —
2023–24 Florida Panthers NHL 39 2 2 4 104 — — — — —
NHL totals 118 6 8 14 252 — — — — —

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2018 Canada WJC   7 2 1 3 6
Junior totals 7 2 1 3 6

Awards and honours

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Award Year Ref
OHL
Second All-Star Team 2017 [12]
NHL
Stanley Cup champion 2024 [34]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Jonah Gadjovich". Elite Prospects. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  2. ^ "Notes from Day 2 of 2017 NHL Draft". National Hockey League. June 24, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  3. ^ "Gold Cup on Now". Owen Sound Attack. May 8, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  4. ^ "Attack Ink Gadjovich". Owen Sound Attack. June 6, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  5. ^ "Gadjovich and Mete at U17 Camp". Owen Sound Attack. July 31, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  6. ^ "Attack shake slump". Owen Sound Attack. October 5, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  7. ^ "OHL: Gadjovich scores hat trick as Attack get past Spitfires". The Sports Network. January 7, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  8. ^ Walker, Bill (January 11, 2017). "Attack set franchise record with 11th consecutive victory". Owen Sound Sun Times. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  9. ^ "OHL Roundup: Gadjovich gets hat trick as Attack crush 67's". Sportsnet. February 11, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  10. ^ "Attack dismantle Knights in London". Owen Sound Attack. February 17, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  11. ^ "Knights' Max Jones suspended 10 games for cross-check". Sportsnet. February 23, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  12. ^ a b "OHL Announces 2016–17 All-Star Teams". Ontario Hockey League. May 17, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  13. ^ "Eight Attack skaters ranked in final Central Scouting rankings". Owen Sound Attack. April 11, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Canucks sign Jonah Gadjovich". National Hockey League. October 16, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  15. ^ "Canucks get CBJ's No. 55 pick for Tortorella". The Sports Network. May 31, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  16. ^ Kuzma, Ben (July 5, 2018). "Girtty Gadjovich needs time to heal". The Province. Retrieved December 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "Comets Open Up 2018–19 Campaign Against Defending Champs". Utica Comets. October 5, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  18. ^ "Comets Complete Comeback With Thrilling Shootout Win Over Hartford". Utica Comets. November 9, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  19. ^ "Jonah finally has whale of a game". The Province. February 19, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ a b "Lind, Gadjovich Finding Ways to Avoid Sophomore Slump". Utica Comets. December 13, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  21. ^ "Canucks reduce pre-season roster". National Hockey League. September 21, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  22. ^ Hergott, Cory (May 15, 2020). "Looking Back: Utica Comets". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  23. ^ "Comets Head to Salt City Sunday". Utica Comets. May 2, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  24. ^ Woodley, Kevin (May 17, 2021). "Lindholm helps Flames recover to defeat Canucks in OT". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  25. ^ Birnell, Ben (May 15, 2021). "Gadjovich earns Comets' top honors for 2021 season". Observer-Dispatch. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  26. ^ "Sharks Claim Forward Jonah Gadjovich Off Waivers". National Hockey League. October 7, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  27. ^ Donnelly, Patrick (October 24, 2021). "Bruins start fast, hang on late to hand Sharks first loss". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  28. ^ "Sharks hand Kraken seventh straight loss". National Hockey League. February 27, 2022. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  29. ^ "Sharks Re-Sign Forward Jonah Gadjovich". National Hockey League. August 29, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  30. ^ "Checkers Add Cam Morrison And Jonah Gadjovich On AHL Deals". charlottecheckers.com. Charlotte Checkers. July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  31. ^ "Florida Panthers agree to terms with forward Jonah Gadjovich on a one-year contract". Florida Panthers. October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  32. ^ "Stolarz makes 34 saves, Panthers hold off Ducks". NHL.com. November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  33. ^ "Florida Panthers Agree to Terms with Forward Jonah Gadjovich on a Two-Year Contract Extension". NHL.com. March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  34. ^ a b Kulesa, Anna (July 13, 2024). "Panthers' names engraved on Stanley Cup". NHL.com. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  35. ^ Cowan, Greg. "Suzuki and Gadjovich named to Team Canada selection camp roster". Own Sound Sun Times. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  36. ^ Wagner, Daniel. "Canucks prospect Jonah Gadjovich named Player of the Game as Canada dominates Slovakia". Vancouver Courier. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
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