Jaxon Cover: From the Cayman Islands to OHL Ice

When Jaxon Cover hits the ice for the London Knights, he carries with him a story unlike almost anyone else in the Ontario Hockey League. Born and raised in the Caribbean on Grand Cayman Island, Cover’s path to the OHL has been anything but conventional. 

Cover’s introduction to the game came not on frozen ponds or indoor arenas, but on the smooth surfaces of roller hockey courts back home.

“My dad is from Canada and wanted me to get into hockey,” Cover explained. “The roller hockey community there is strong, but it’s not as big as it used to be. It set the foundation and gave me the fundamentals for stick handling and the way I see the ice.”

That foundation quickly turned into something special. Cover became a roller hockey phenom in the Caribbean, eventually moving into the pro division of the North American Roller Hockey Championships (NARCh). He suited up for the Arizona Konixx Outcasts, a club competing in the Professional Inline Hockey Association, where he sharpened his offensive instincts against seasoned players.

While roller hockey gave him his start, Cover always had his eyes on the ice. At just 10 years old, he began attending skating camps in Toronto, and by U14, he was fully immersed in ice hockey.

“Getting into skates is a lot different – it’s much faster,” he said. “But I love it.”

That love carried him to the York-Simcoe Express U16 AAA program, where his skill and determination caught the attention of OHL scouts. In 2024, the London Knights selected him in the fourth round of the OHL Priority Selection, officially opening the door to his major junior career.

Cover signed with the Knights last March and wasted no time making an impression. He appeared in three regular-season games enroute to London’s Memorial Cup-winning run last season, picking up two assists. 

“What stood out to me was how hard the team worked on and off the ice and how they came together to win a championship,” Cover reflected. “I’ve taken that mindset into this year.”

And that mindset is paying off. Through his first nine games of the 2025-26 season, Cover has already tallied six points (2G, 4A), earning recognition as the OHL Rookie of the Week for October 6–12.

“I feel good,” he said. “I’ve got a better sense for the speed of the game and how I can play my game to be successful.”

This season is also particularly meaningful for Cover as it marks his NHL Draft year, but he’s not letting the pressure distract him.

“I’m just focused on playing my game and helping the team win,” he said. “If I do that, I think the rest will take care of itself.”

When asked what he hopes fans take away from his story as a player from a non-traditional hockey market, his answer is simple:

“I just want to show that if you love something and work hard at it, you can be successful in what you put your mind to – no matter where you’re from.”

From roller hockey rinks in the Cayman Islands to the OHL stage in London, Jaxon Cover’s journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and passion for the game. As he continues to carve out his place with the Knights, fans across the league are beginning to see what makes his story – and his game – so unique.