Jansen Harkins Bio
Jansen Michael Harkins is an American–Canadian professional ice hockey player who serves as a center for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on May 23, 1997, in Cleveland, Ohio, Harkins grew up in North Vancouver, British Columbia, and has dual citizenship between the United States and Canada. He was selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the second round, 47th overall, during the 2015 NHL Entry Draft and has since built a solid professional career spanning multiple NHL organizations. His journey from junior hockey standout to NHL regular exemplifies the development pathway common among professional hockey players.
Early Life and Background
Jansen Michael Harkins was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 23, 1997, to Todd Harkins, a former NHL player. Despite his American birthplace, Harkins grew up in North Vancouver, British Columbia, where he developed his passion and skills for hockey at a young age. Growing up in Canada provided Harkins with access to elite minor hockey programs and competitive leagues that helped shape his development as a player.
Harkins comes from a hockey family, with his father Todd having played professionally in the NHL. This family legacy provided Jansen with early exposure to the sport and valuable guidance throughout his development. The Harkins family established roots in British Columbia, where Jansen would spend his formative years before embarking on his junior hockey career.
Path to Professional Hockey
Harkins was selected second overall by the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League (WHL) during the 2012 WHL bantam draft. He began his major junior career with the Cougars in the 2012–13 season, quickly establishing himself as a promising prospect. During his first full WHL season in 2013–14, Harkins appeared in 67 games and served as team captain for Canada Pacific at the 2014 World Hockey Challenge, where he contributed 10 goals and 24 assists.
The 2014–15 season marked a significant breakthrough for Harkins, as he led Prince George in scoring with 20 goals and 59 assists for 79 points in 70 games. His playmaking ability was particularly evident, as he set a new team record for assists in a single season. He earned recognition by being selected to participate in the 2015 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game and was awarded the Dan Hamhuis Award as the most valuable player for the Prince George Cougars. Harkins continued his strong performance into the 2015–16 season, recording 24 goals and 33 assists for 57 points in 69 games.
During his final WHL season in 2016–17, Harkins cemented his legacy with the Cougars by becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in assists and points. He led the team in scoring for the third consecutive season with 21 goals and 51 assists in 64 games. His junior career concluded with an impressive resume that made him an attractive prospect for NHL teams.
Jansen Harkins Career
Winnipeg Jets Development (2015–2023)
After being drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in 2015, Harkins signed an amateur tryout agreement with the team’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, on April 2, 2016, following the conclusion of his WHL season. He made an immediate impact in his professional debut, scoring one goal in six games during the 2015–16 season. Harkins signed a three-year entry-level contract with Winnipeg on April 7, 2017, and continued developing with the Moose organization.
The 2017–18 season presented challenges for Harkins as he struggled to find his rhythm with the Moose, scoring only 2 goals in 46 games. In January 2018, he was reassigned to the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen to help rebuild his confidence and work on his game. The following season proved more successful, as Harkins returned to the Moose and recorded 15 goals in 70 games during the 2018–19 campaign.
NHL Breakthrough (2019–2020)
The 2019–20 season marked a turning point in Harkins’ career. He began the year with Manitoba and dominated the AHL level, recording 31 points in just 30 games. His outstanding performance earned him CCM/AHL Player of the Month honors for November 2019, and he was named the Manitoba Moose’s most valuable player for the season. Harkins was selected to participate in the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic, showcasing his status as one of the league’s top players.
Harkins received his first NHL recall on December 18, 2019, following injuries to Andrew Copp and Mathieu Perreault. He made his NHL debut on December 21, 2019, in a 6–0 victory over the Minnesota Wild, and recorded his first NHL point in that game by assisting on Logan Shaw’s third-period goal. His first NHL goal came on February 6, 2020, when he scored against Jordan Binnington in a 4–2 win over the St. Louis Blues. The milestone goal was part of his first multi-point NHL game, as he also recorded an assist on Andrew Copp’s game-winning goal. The 2019–20 season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Harkins had established himself as an NHL player.
Establishing NHL Role (2020–2023)
Following the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, where Harkins appeared in the Jets’ season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs and scored his only goal of the season in the finale, he became a regular fixture in Winnipeg’s lineup. The 2021–22 season proved to be his most productive, as he set career highs with 77 games played, 7 goals, 6 assists, and 13 points. The Jets rewarded his consistency by re-signing him to a two-year contract worth $1.7 million on July 16, 2022.
However, the beginning of the 2022–23 season brought uncertainty when Harkins was placed on waivers at the start of training camp. After clearing waivers, he was assigned to the Manitoba Moose and split the season between Winnipeg and the AHL. He appeared in 22 games with the Jets, recording three goals and five points, while also contributing 13 goals and 27 points in 44 games with the Moose. Near the end of the Jets’ 2023 training camp, Harkins was again placed on waivers and was claimed by the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 2, 2023.
Pittsburgh Penguins (2023–2024)
Harkins joined the Penguins organization for the 2023–24 season, making his debut in the team’s season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks on October 10, 2023. After appearing in four games without recording a point, he was placed on waivers by Pittsburgh and was assigned to the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins after clearing. Throughout the season, Harkins worked his way back into the NHL lineup and eventually established himself as a regular on Pittsburgh’s fourth line, playing alongside veteran Jeff Carter and Noel Acciari.
He finished the season with the Penguins appearing in 45 games, recording four assists. In his 14 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, he contributed 5 goals and 12 points. After his contract expired at the end of the season, Harkins departed Pittsburgh as an unrestricted free agent to pursue a new opportunity.
Anaheim Ducks Era (2024–Present)
On July 2, 2024, Harkins signed a two-year contract worth $1.575 million with the Anaheim Ducks, joining his fourth NHL organization. During the 2024 training camp, he was placed on waivers and, after going unclaimed, was assigned to the Ducks’ AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, to begin the season. He was recalled by Anaheim on October 18, 2024, and made his Ducks debut that night against the Colorado Avalanche before being returned to San Diego.
Harkins was recalled a second time on November 13, 2024, alongside defenseman Drew Helleson, as he continued to work toward securing a regular spot in the Ducks’ lineup. The opportunity with Anaheim represents a fresh start for the veteran forward, who brings experience from his years in Winnipeg and Pittsburgh to a young Ducks team looking to build toward contention.
Playing Style and Strengths
Harkins is known as a reliable two-way center who excels in defensive situations and excels on the penalty kill. His 6-foot-1, 182-pound frame allows him to win puck battles along the boards and in front of the net. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated solid skating ability and positioning, making him a dependable option for coaches in difficult matchups. His experience playing in various roles throughout his career, from top-line AHL scorer to fourth-line NHL grinder, has made him a versatile asset capable of adapting to different team needs.
Notable International Achievements
Prior to his professional career, Harkins represented Canada internationally at the junior level with considerable success. He helped Team Canada capture the gold medal at the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, showcasing his ability to perform on the international stage. He followed this achievement by earning a bronze medal at the 2015 IIHF World U18 Championships, further establishing his reputation as a clutch performer in high-pressure situations.
Jansen Harkins Career Achievements
Throughout his career spanning from junior hockey through the professional ranks, Jansen Harkins has accumulated notable achievements at both the individual and team levels. His accomplishments reflect his consistent performance and ability to excel at various competition levels.
International Highlights
Harkins’ international career includes a gold medal from the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and a bronze medal from the 2015 IIHF World U18 Championships while representing Canada. At the junior level with the Prince George Cougars, he became the franchise’s all-time leader in assists and points while also setting a single-season record for assists with 59 during the 2014–15 campaign. He received the Dan Hamhuis Award as the Cougars’ most valuable player and was selected to the 2015 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
Professional Recognition
During his time with the Manitoba Moose, Harkins earned AHL Player of the Month honors for November 2019 and was named the Moose’s most valuable player for the 2019–20 season. He also participated in the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic, representing the Moose organization at the annual showcase of the league’s top talent.
Career Statistics
At the NHL level, Harkins has appeared in over 140 games across his tenure with Winnipeg, Pittsburgh, and Anaheim, recording career highs of 7 goals and 13 points during the 2021–22 season with the Jets. His first career NHL playoff goal came on August 3, 2020, against Cam Talbot of the Calgary Flames during the Jets’ Stanley Cup playoffs qualifying round.
Jansen Harkins Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Jansen Michael Harkins is the son of Todd Harkins, a former NHL player who competed for the Hartford Whalers, Calgary Flames, and Boston Bruins during his professional career. This family connection to professional hockey provided Jansen with a unique advantage from an early age, as he had access to professional-grade training environments and guidance from someone who had experienced the demands of playing at the highest level. Growing up in a household where hockey was part of the family legacy created a natural pathway for Jansen’s development in the sport.
Personal Life
Despite being born in Cleveland, Ohio, Harkins spent most of his formative years growing up in North Vancouver, British Columbia. This upbringing gave him the opportunity to develop his game within Canada’s renowned minor hockey system while maintaining connections to his American roots. He holds dual citizenship between the United States and Canada, which has allowed him to represent Canada internationally throughout his junior career. Harkins continues to maintain connections to both countries as he progresses through his professional hockey career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 season marks a pivotal year for Jansen Harkins as he enters his first full season with the Anaheim Ducks organization. After joining the Ducks in July 2024 and working through the waiver process during training camp, Harkins has had multiple call-ups from the San Diego Gulls to the NHL roster. The Ducks, a team in the midst of rebuilding with young talent, provide Harkins with an opportunity to contribute as a reliable veteran presence while also competing for a more permanent spot in the lineup.
Harkins’ experience playing in various roles throughout his career makes him a valuable asset for a team looking for players who can adapt to different situations. His ability to play both forward positions and contribute on the penalty kill adds versatility to the Ducks’ lineup. As he continues to work toward securing a consistent role in Anaheim, his performance during the 2024–25 season will be crucial in determining his long-term fit with the organization.
Looking ahead, Harkins remains under contract with the Ducks through the 2025–26 season, providing him with stability as he continues his professional career. At 27 years old, he is entering the prime years of his career and has the opportunity to establish himself as a dependable NHL player. The journey from being a second-round draft pick to a veteran who has played for four NHL organizations demonstrates his resilience and adaptability within the demanding professional hockey landscape.