American forward Egan happy with first WHL camp

The young forward who made history with the Brandon Wheat Kings this summer is certainly a happy camper.

Jimmy Egan, a 17-year-old, left-shooting forward, was one of eight Americans at training camp, a new team record.

“It went awesome,” Egan said. “It was super nice because all the guys introduced themselves to me so I felt comfortable. It was a great first camp for me. It was fun.”

The left-shooting forward from Mahtomedi, Minn., became the first U.S. Prospects draftee to actually sign with the club when he put pen to paper in June. He was the eighth player taken by the team in the Western Hockey League’s draft of American players, which began in 2020.

Egan, who is committed to Arizona State University for 2027-28 in his 19-year-old season, said the NCAA decision to extend eligibility to major junior players made all the difference in his decision to come north.

“The WHL is one of the best junior leagues in the world so for me it was a no-brainer to come here,” Egan said. “I was really excited about the rule change.”

Egan has already essentially graduated high school, although he’s taking one class for extra credit for college.

Last season, he skated with the 16-and-under AAA Sioux Falls Power, and contributed 19 goals, 31 assists and eight penalty minutes in 34 games.

He also had a three-game callup to the USHL’s Omaha Lancers, where he produced four shots on net but didn’t post a point.

“I feel those games under my belt really helped,” Egan said of his brief USHL experience. “I feel a lot more comfortable at this high pace.”

Egan started his hockey career as a defenceman but moved up front in peewee in Mahtomedi, which is a suburb of St. Paul located near White Bear Lake.

Like the Gleasman family from Colorado — Axel and Gunnar were at camp, although Axel has since been reassigned — his father Pat and mother Jamie had five sons in hockey. Older boys Patrick and Max are now at the University of Minnesota, Jimmy is in Brandon, and of the younger boys, Jack is in bantam and Joey is in peewee.

Not surprisingly in what must have a highly competitive household, Egan said part of his game is his edge.

“I’m a hard-nosed player who goes to the net,” Egan said of his game. “I’m very high IQ and I love to make plays and score goals.”

Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray said the six-foot-one, 185-pound Egan brings a lot to like. “He’s a first-year guy, a big body who has some skill and some hardness to his game,” Murray said. “It’s going to be a learning experience for him every day but we’re excited about where he is now and where he can get to.”

That essentially mirrors what Wheat Kings director of hockey operations Chris Moulton said in May 2023 when they grabbed him after he was identified by the team’s American scout, Kori Pearson.

“Jimmy is a mature player,” Moulton said. “He does a lot of things well, he is strong on the puck, he likes to handle the puck and is not afraid to play in traffic. He plays the game heavy with skill.”

Egan had spoken to the Wheat Kings in the time between getting drafted and the NCAA rule changes — and was planning on coming to camp last year — but couldn’t because his Sioux Falls season started first.

That meant he saved his first impression until last week, and it proved to be a good one.

“I love the rink,” Egan said of Assiniboine Credit Union Place. “Everything about it is great. I’m just really happy to be here.”

He’ll have a lot more of those first impressions over the next couple of seasons. The Wheat Kings have four pre-season games, starting in Regina against the Pats on Friday, with the teams meeting a night later in Brandon at 6 p.m. Brandon finishes up by hosting the Swift Current Broncos on Friday, Sept. 12, and heading to Virden a night later for the rematch.

“I love seeing all the new rinks and playing in them,” Egan said. “It’s awesome, just looking up and looking around in warmups. I’m really excited to get the games started.”

Brandon opens the 68-game regular season on Friday, Sept. 19 with a visit by the Moose Jaw Warriors.

“I just want to do what I can to help this team win,” Egan said. “I want to work as hard as I can in practice. That’s all I can control.”

And while it’s a big transition for the teenager, it’s one that been a huge success far as he blazes a trail for future young Americans to follow.

“I feel like I’m at home already,” Egan said. “I have a great billet family and all the guys have been really nice to me. It’s been great.”

» pbergson@brandonsun.com