When asked about scoring his first NHL goal on his first NHL shot, Jason Akeson tries to explain the experience as eloquently as he can. However, it’s not hard to notice the passionate change in the tone of his voice when he thinks back to last April.

“It was something pretty special.  I had been up with Philly for about a week when they told me that I was going to play the last game of the season in my hometown of Ottawa of all places, so that was pretty neat,” explained Akeson.

Not only did Akeson have the opportunity to suit up for his first NHL game against his hometown team, friends and family had the opportunity to witness the achievement.

“Luckily, all my friends and family got to be there.  Then I scored the goal which is something I’ll never forget, that’s for sure.”

Watch Jason Akeson score his first NHL goal

Akeson spent four seasons with the Ontario Hockey League’s Kitchener Rangers where he was passed over in the NHL Entry Draft twice.  However, he continued to persevere while posting impressive numbers in his final overage season.

He tied for first in leage points with Tyler Toffoli, both scoring 108, and led the league in assists with 84.  He also earned the Leo Lalonde Award as the OHL’s top overage player.

Despite his strong junior career, Akeson was considered ‘too small’ by today’s standards to have any success at the next level, and had often been referred to as a late bloomer.  

“I was in a position a couple of times where I was told I wasn’t going to make it.  You can never let anyone put you down too far.  Keep playing your game and have a lot of fun.  When you stop having fun, that’s when it’s tough to play.”

Akeson silenced his critics by signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers at the conclusion of the 2010-11 season, which was his final year in Junior.

He points to his work ethic, dedication, and passion for the game that has gotten him to this point.  To other players who may be in the same position that he was, Akeson puts it quite simply, “work hard and never give up.”

In 2012-13, Akeson became one of the few players to play in the ECHL, AHL, and NHL all in the same season.  “All three leagues are really good leagues,” he said. “Every league you go up there’s going to be a change. When you go from the ECHL to the AHL, there are bigger and stronger guys.  The NHL, they’re that much bigger, stronger, and faster.”

Akeson has spent the majority of the last three seasons with the American Hockey League’s Adirondack Phantoms.  He was rewarded for his hard work with a recall by Philadelphia at the end of the 2013-14 season, and impressed team mangement enough to earn a spot playing in all seven of the Flyers playoff games against the New York Rangers this spring.

“The Flyers fans are some of the best in the league. Playing in front of them, everyone is wearing orange in the playoffs, it was pretty exciting.”

He also scored a goal in Game 2 of the series while playing at Madison Square Garden.  “To play there, score a goal and win the game was pretty cool.  Getting both of those opportunities is a dream come true.”

Despite his late season call-up and playing a key role in the playoffs for the Flyers, Akeson hasn’t changed his mindset entering training camp and is aware that he has to solidify his spot on the Flyers roster.  “I’m going to be motivated no matter what trying to make that team in the fall.  Now that I have experience and some playoff games under my belt, I’m going in there with the mindset that I want to play.  I’m not going in there thinking that I’ve already made the team because there are a lot of good players there.  I’m going to work hard, make more of a name for myself, and start the year there.”

Off the ice, Akeson often looks to his teammates for help and advice, learning lessons that go beyond improving his on ice game.  “We always have good dialogue and interaction with the Professional Hockey Players Association (PHPA).  When you need financial help, assistance with taxes, or things of that nature, Fitzy is a great guy to look to,” referring to teammate and PHPA Player Representative Zack Fitzgerald.

Akeson also focuses on his offseason training routine with Flyers teammate and close friend Claude Giroux.  The pair have worked out together for several summers in Akeson’s hometown of Orleans, Ont. “He’s a great role model for me to look up to over the past couple of years. We help push ourselves to the next level and feed off each other with a competitive attitude. It’s fun.

“When you stop having fun, that’s when it’s tough to play.”