INNISFAIL - Innisfail Eagles blueliner Jason Nopper is helping his team find the back of the net early in the season. The 31-year-old defenceman is a four-year veteran with the Birds and has already racked up four points in four games.
INNISFAIL - Innisfail Eagles blueliner Jason Nopper is helping his team find the back of the net early in the season.
The 31-year-old defenceman is a four-year veteran with the Birds and has already racked up four points in four games. The Calgary native stands 6-1 and has been a big part of the Eagles' blue-line for the past several years.
Nopper played Junior A with the Calgary Royals (now the Mustangs) and spent some time playing hockey in Drayton Valley before moving south to Green Bay, Wis. where he played at college for four years.
After those days down south, Innisfail ultimately game him a call.
"Innisfail was offering a spot on their team," said Nopper. "I took that opportunity to try something different."
While he's played a role on the blue-line for several years, Nopper has found himself up front this season for a couple of games as a forward.
His offensive skill has helped his team finish in the win column this season. In addition to three assists, Nopper netted a game-winning goal against the Fort Saskatchewan Chiefs on Oct. 29.
"It was an interesting goal," said Nopper. "I had to pull a toe drag and that worked in my favour."
His size and tough physical play is another attribute he brings to his team.
"I try and bring a physical game and I see the ice well," he said. "I'd like to think that I make a strong first pass out of the zone and get the play moving well," said Nopper, adding he hopes to continue contributing to the Eagles' offence but knows his role on the blue-line.
"I want to bring consistent play as a defenceman and just continue to get better as the season goes on," he added.
For the latter part of last season Nopper was paired with Caylen Walls.
"We actually fed really well off each other," said Nopper. "He knows when to jump and I know when he's going and vice versa."
Nopper said the makeup of this year's Innisfail Eagles team is a special mix of veteran experience and rookie skill, making for a strong, talented group of hockey players.
"This year I really like our team's speed. We're fast. We're also a little bit more of a physical team this year and we're more tenacious," explained Nopper. "We track the puck better than I've seen in recent years and that's totally (raised) our game so far.
"I think it's only going to continue to get better," he added.
With the Eagles' depth, skill and speed, there's little doubt in Nopper's mind that this is a team that could make a run for the Allan Cup a real possibility.
"This year more than any season so far I can see that being a realistic goal," said Nopper. "I can see it happening. There's a lot of great players on this team and a lot of positives."
In the meantime, it was tough past weekend for the Eagles. The Birds lost 3 – 2 in double overtime at home on Friday night (Nov. 4) against the Lacombe Generals, and then on Sunday (Nov. 6) the Eagles were bested 4 – 2 at home by the Fort Saskatchewan Chiefs. The Eagles and the Chiefs go at it again this Friday (Nov. 11) at the Innisfail Arena. Game time is 8:30 p.m.
Jason Nopper
"I want to bring consistent play as a defenceman and just continue to get better as the season goes on."
