Close Ties Lead Doherty to Rams: Trio of Alumni Reunite in Toronto
Advice from his family clinched it for Jackson Doherty. After consulting his parents and uncles, the 20-year-old forward decided to commit as the first recruit of the Ryerson University Rams’ Men’s Hockey Team for the 2021-22 season. Doherty will major in Criminology as his preferred academic program.
Jackson realizes that he has achieved something special. “It’s something to take pride in.” He also realizes he will have to continue his development. “I’m proud of myself and my family is too, but it is also something I have to live up to. Ryerson told me: they chose me exactly for the reason [that] I play that in-your-face style, always giving it a hundred percent. Plus, there is an offensive upside to my game.”
The Ancaster, Ontario native also seems to have his plans well mapped out. “I’m really interested in what I’ll be learning. There are so many paths you can take starting with basic Criminology in year one, and then in the second year, you can branch out into different programs. I’m going in there with an open mind and we’ll see what happens.”
Former IceDogs’ captain and Ram, Luke Mercer stressed the importance of academics. “At Ryerson, they really preach being a student first and then you’re an athlete because if you can’t do the first one then you’re not going to be on the hockey team. I would tell anyone to be ready to learn off the ice and in the classroom and you’ll be fine.” Luke is currently putting his education and advice to good use, working in sales at an industrial painting and flooring company after graduating with a degree in Business Marketing and a minor in Psychology.
In major junior, student-athletes live with billet families to ease balancing the responsibilities of school and hockey. As Mercer noted, making the transition from the OHL to university can be a daunting task. “It really makes you grow up and step into a different reality. You’re living on your own in a different city, now you have five course load and still need to perform at hockey, go grocery shopping, pay rent. All the grown up things you didn’t have when you’re in the OHL responsibility wise.”
Doherty will step into his new reality with longtime friend Adrien Beraldo and former IceDogs’ teammate Elijah Roberts who are also already on board with Ryerson. “I’m excited that Elijah and Adrien are there. It’s good to know that I’ll have some familiar faces in the dressing room. I’ve known Adrien since we were about eight years old when we played novice hockey together and we’ve continued to cross paths throughout our hockey careers, it’s been really cool,” he said. Adrian and Jackson also played one season together in Niagara.
Doherty is very much focused on building on his experience from his time in the Ontario Hockey League. A third-round choice (43rd overall) in the 2016 Priority Selection, he appeared in 176 career games, registering 38 points (20G,18A) with the Owen Sound Attack (2017-19), and Niagara IceDogs (2019-20).
“I’m going in there with a focused mindset and hoping for the best. I can’t take anything for granted. I have to go in there playing my hardest. I do think there will be a transition because you’re going from being one of the oldest players to the youngest again, I have to treat it the same as when I left minor hockey to join junior hockey, but have a bit more confidence and a bit more swagger in my step. Show them that I am a hockey player and can do some damage.”
Without a doubt, IceDogs’ General Manager and Governor, Joey Burke knows that Doherty will find success at Ryerson.
“Jackson has a great character and personality. He is so well-liked by his teammates. I really believe he’s going to thrive in Toronto. Ryerson has been on the way up for a while now and I think the intensity and the grit that he brings to his game is going to make for a tremendous fit. We’re very excited and can’t wait to watch him there.”
