Jackson Keane is a twenty-two-year old junior on the University of North Dakota's Fighting Hawks. He spent his junior years between the MJHL, the USHL, and the BCHL.
He's a Winnipeg, MB, native, but was born in Denver, where his dad, Mike (who you *might* know as a three-time Stanley Cup winner) was playing for the Avalanche at the time.
Jackson is in his second season at UND, and as reported by the Grand Forks Herald's Brad Elliott Schlossman, is a fringe player on the roster, who has to fight for his spot in the lineup every game he has the opportunity to play in.
On Friday night, he did just that. He proved himself in the Fighting Hawk's 3-1 victory over Western Michigan, when he earned the team's game MVP for his efforts in the win.
As a result of his great game on Friday, he was slated to be in the lineup on Saturday: Senior's Night.
Then, Keane went to head coach Brad Berry - who confirmed he was supposed to play - and did something incredible.
He asked his coach to scratch him from the lineup if he had to choose between him and a senior.
Of course, his coach was taken aback at the gesture.
"I'll tell you what, I don't know if I've ever been prouder. I've had a lot of proud moments here. I don't know if I've ever felt any prouder. I think it caught some guys by surprise a little bit, I think it just reinforced what our culture is here. It's a team-first thing. It's respect for other people. I think it's pretty special what he did, especially at this time of year, when everybody wants to be in the lineup. I know he does, too."
His gesture paid off.
He was scratched, but all seven seniors got to play in the 2-1 overtime victory. A picture perfect Senior Night, if you ask us
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Now THAT is a team guy.
Way to be, Jackson!
