Behind the Jersey: Jacob Reese
Written by Mateya Steblaj-Wood
The undrafted, 19-year-old Jacob Reese has had to earn his spot in the OHL, and this season has proven he is exactly where he should be.
The Boston, NY, native spent recent seasons in the States, where his defensive tenacity caught the attention of OHL scouts, more specifically, the Sarnia Sting. In the 2024-25 season, he played for the Rochester Jr.Americans in the NAHL, recording 1 goal and 9 assists. The defenceman recalls Sarnia Sting General Dylan Seca attending his games with the Jr. Americans and connecting with him. Seca and the Sting would go on to offer Reese a contract, and in June of last summer, he signed as a free agent ahead of the 2025-26 season.
At the time of the signing, Seca said, “He plays with a ton of jam and snarl, competes hard every night, and brings the kind of work ethic and character you can’t teach. He’s a proud player who holds himself to a high standard and is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential”. His competitive level is a recurring topic of discussion surrounding Reese, and is what sets him apart.
Reese’s path to the OHL was unconventional, as he was not a drafted player, rather scouted from below the border. Last summer, Seca told the Sarnia Observer, “We’re trying to inject as much talent into our group, and wherever they’re from, they’re from…It doesn’t really matter. We’re just trying to find the most talent”. Reese joined the league at 19, which is older than the typical drafted player. The Sting are no strangers to adding older players to the roster, as Jordan Bax, an over-age player, joined the team this year for his first OHL season.
When asked what it meant to truly earn his spot in the league and on the Sting, Reese said, “Having a base of hard work and effort shows a lot on the ice. It means a lot to me that I earned it”. The blueliner says that although playing in Canada was always a possibility, he wasn’t sure of the likelihood. “It’s great that I’m playing here. I’m happy to be here”. Reese said that originally his goal was to play division one college hockey, but now that he is playing in the OHL, “anything can happen”.
The transition from the NAHL to the OHL was a “big jump”, but nothing the 2006 born defancmen couldn’t handle. He noted that the game is faster and “the skill level is way higher than anywhere I’ve ever played. But I adjusted quickly”. Reese is a confident player with the skill to back it up.
Physicality and grit are the backbone of the six-foot, 190-pound blueliner’s game, and were part of his appeal to the Sting. Reese, with 73 penalty minutes on the season, does not shy away from hard hits or dropping the gloves. “Fighting is a part of my game, but only when it’s needed. Protecting my teammates is a huge part of my game”. His rough style of play, combined with his defensive reliability, makes for a successful addition with even more potential.
FAN POLL
Despite only being with the Sting for less than a season, his chemistry with the team on and off the ice is undeniable. Reese said that hockey is the kind of sport where you have no choice but to get close with your teammates, and that it came naturally with him and the group. He also mentioned that Mitch Young, an over-age player who has spent his entire career with the Sting, has stepped up as a leader and example to Reese. He said that his reaction and adaptability to injury have stood out to him. Despite suffering substantial injuries this season, he remains positive and present with the team to keep spirits high. “He’s been through a lot this year. Him sticking through it, and sticking by the guys, it’s very admirable in my eyes”.
Growing up in Boston, NY, Reese spent a lot of time in Buffalo, where he said, “hockey is a huge part of Buffalo culture. I grew up watching the Sabres, and I naturally fell in love with the game”. Reese said that going to Buffalo Sabres games with his dad as a child was his first introduction to hockey. He attributes much of his success so far to his dad, “without him I wouldn’t be where I am”.
When reflecting on his first OHL season, the 19-year-old says his defensive capabilities and ability to keep up with league standard has improved the most so far. He also said he notices an increase in creating offensive opportunities. “I feel that I’ve improved a lot. It’s tough with such a young team being behind in the playoff race. I think if we keep the same mentality, the team will get better”. Reese said the team has been great at sticking with eachother, through ups and downs of the season, coaching changes and adversity. Reese admitted that the changes and uncertainty was diffticult for himself and the team as a whole, but once new head coach Mathieu Turcotte joined the group, things turned around.
“Our team and I have learned we need to stick with the process. As long as we stick together, we will be alright.”
Jacob Reese Scores His First OHL Goal. Click here to watch the goal.
Reese scored his first OHL goal against the Sudbury Wolves early on in the season. It was a quick shot from the point that put the Sting up 5-0 in the second period. He said, “It took me a while to score my first junior goal, so to get one so fast here was cool”.
Reese says he is working to establish himself as a “mean, shut-down defencman who can be trusted in any situation”. His main takeaway from the season so far? “Learning how to come to the rink every day with a positive work ethic and attitude, and how to improve my game even if things aren’t going our way”.
