A Beast on the Blueline: Jacob Paquette
The 2019-20 Petes roster was poised for success; especially after a couple of trades with the Niagara Ice Dogs. The blockbuster trade that brought over the World Junior gold medal game-winning goal scorer, Akil Thomas, in exchange for Cameron Butler and four draft picks is perhaps the trade fans will remember the most from that season.
The Petes and the Ice Dogs had another trade that brought veteran defenceman Jacob Paquette to Peterborough in exchange for 2021 second, third and fifth-round picks and a 2020 third-round pick. This was another key piece to the team the Petes were building in a year that was unfortunately cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Obviously we tried to go for a playoff run but sadly the COVID year hit so then the results weren’t there,” said Paquette “It was my last year in the OHL so I was an over-ager and you know the group was fun and the coaching staff was good to play around.”
Paquette spent most of his OHL career as an alternate captain for the Kingston Frontenacs before he was traded in 2019 to the Ice Dogs in another blockbuster trade that also sent Jason Robertson, the brother of Petes alumnus Nick Robertson, to Niagara for eleven draft picks.
“I’ve been a part of a few good teams in my OHL career,” said Paquette. “I think Peterborough was the most well-assembled team. Obviously giving away all those draft picks for Akil and myself and Hudson (Wilson) and more players, it just hurts the team because they don’t get those picks back and it’s almost like a waste of the year.”
Paquette was drafted by the Nashville Predators 216th overall in the seventh round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, but in 2020 he decided to enroll at Queen’s University where he studies Geographical Information Sciences and plays hockey.
“The age gap is a little higher,” said Paquette. “And then the contact, it’s more physical. Guys are kind of more aware of what’s going on, you know, they’ve played hockey for a while so it’s really structured. Obviously, the OHL has more skill involved in it because you have all those high drafts picks. So I think there’s more skill and speed probably in the OHL. And then U-Sports I would say that it’s strategic and a little bit more physical.”
Paquette was recently selected to represent Canada in the 2022-23 International University Sports Federation World University Games in Lake Placid, New York. Paquette had five points in seven games with a goal and four assists and helped Canada win a gold medal in the tournament.
“That was very fun,” said Paquette. “Anytime I get to wear the Canada jersey it’s a privilege and an honour and the team we had was pretty good. Playing against other countries and kind of seeing how they play is obviously a phenomenal feeling. It was the first time I ever won anything in hockey, so it was super special. And it was nice that it was close by in Lake Placid so my parents came down for most of the games so being able to celebrate that achievement with them was pretty special.”
Being only 23 years old obviously, Paquette’s career path is still yet to be determined but he hopes to play professional hockey after he graduates from University.
“For me personally, after U Sports, hopefully, I get a chance to go pro somewhere either in America or in Europe but if that doesn’t happen then that’s (GIS) probably what I’m trying to go into the field of,” said Paquette.
