JANKOWSKI TURNS DOWN WHL OPPORTUNITY
Regina source: Asst GM was committed to Islanders
Contrary to a report that Ryan Jankowski was in the mix to become general manager of the WHL team, a source with the Regina Pats tells Point Blank that the Islanders’ assistant GM politely rejected an overture from the club.
“We reached out to Ryan,” said the source, “but what we heard back was that he was under contract to the Islanders and committed to stay with them for a long time. Despite what was written in some of the papers, he never even came in for an interview.”
The Pats hired Chad Lang yesterday as general manager.
Jankowski is the well-regarded assistant general manager/Director of Amateur Scouting for the Islanders. He spent last week managing the team’s efforts at the NHL Scouting Comine in Toronto in preparation for the draft next month. Among his recent draft picks with promise are Travis Hamonic, Kevin Poulin, Kirill Petrov, Matt Donovan, David Ullstrom, Calvin de Haan and Mikko Koskinen.
Jankowski’s rumored move to Regina was a topic of discussion this week at the Stanley Cup Final, which is why this blog reached out to Regina for clarification. Good to see reports are invented in the Western Hockey League, just as they are in the good old NHL.
Comments on Jankowski.
34 Responses to JANKOWSKI TURNS DOWN WHL OPPORTUNITY
Regina source: Asst GM was committed to Islanders
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mtrico says:
Good to hear, we need Ryan right where he is.
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mrlbem says:
I happen to like Ryan J running the draft. I was concerned that this would turn out to be another Gordie Clark situation (where the GM stays on but the guy in charge of scouting and getting the GM his prospects leaves). Garth and Ryan seem to work well together and I hope they’re running the Islanders for many years to come. And while I’m in this “glass half full” mood, let me also say that I happen to like the coach as well.
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BTBoss says:
Nice to hear that he’s under contract for a long time. Lets hope all his hard work and many of his picks pan out. I like that he goes after players. I can see him in this years draft making moves, up in some spots down in others to get the player he really likes. #5 is a great spot to pick. I’m sure he has many options at that spot. Love to know what he’s thinking and who’s where on his Draft list….
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C.J. says:
Good stuff.
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I’m a believer in Jankowski. Nervous about this 5th pick though. I’m starting to get the feeling we’re in for a surprise. We’ll see..enjoy Memorial Day everybody!
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Michael Rotondo says:
He is the brains behind the rebuild! Hope fully he stays a very long time.
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Seth says:
glad to see that Ryan will continue with his role with the Islander organization. you really have to like what he has done over the past couple of years and I hope he along with Garth Snow and the rest of the scouts continue to try and build the Islanders into a championship team.
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Numbers65 says:
“Commited to stay for a long time” is what I liked to hear!
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Strummer's Army says:
Very happy Ryan has staying, he’s always done very good work for the Isles. I’d like to see Botta write an article on Gordie Clark’s work with the Isles. The draft picks were highly touted but most never did anything for the Isles or anyone else. His Ranger draft picks are highly touted but I am reserving judgement until they hit the ice. If he is doing a better job with the Rags it wouldn’t surprise me because it wouldn’t be hard to improve on his work with the Isles.
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Warren says:
It’s nice to see that our office team has offers from other teams and they know where there heart belongs. It also shows they know this team can be very special shortly. So watchout fans the the team wil rise in 2010-2011 for the chase of the “CUP”
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Tony F. says:
That’s great to hear “long time” and “commitment” with regards to Ryan. Thanks for the article.
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Ernie says:
Why would anyone be surprised. Moving from a good N.H.L. position to the W.H.L. would be a step backwards.
If someone in that W.H.L. position would be offered a position in the N.H.L. they would jump immediately.
Don’t understand some of the posted comments. -
beatlebailey says:
exactly..say what you want about the Isles organIzation but..gm of a WHL club?..really? dont think Ryan did anything but use good common sense..now if almost any other NHL team came calling i wonder how fast Ryan would leave Fort Wangnonsense
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Ethan K says:
I’m glad Janks is sticking around. Our last scout is now doing great with the Rangers, but Jankowski seems to really make good picks, especially with those late rounders – Matt Martin and Kevin Poulin to name a few.
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Bullet44 says:
Speaking of David Ullstrom, is there any word on him being signed or does he go back into the draft?
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Ricky T says:
#12 I think that since Ullstrom is signed to a professional contract in Europe, he does not have to be signed by the Isles to an entry level deal and go back into the draft. The Isles do need to get him bought out of his current contract though and sign him if they want him to play for them or in the AHL.
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rb says:
I think he’s doing a real good job here. If the rebuild is successful, I’d be more worried that he’ll leave for an NHL GM job.
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hyedray says:
He is clearly a big part of the hope that we now have in the form of the picks mentioned.
CB—Is it a combination of people who all come a consensus with the selection of a player at the draft, or do Snow or Wang have ultimate veto power?
Either way glad Jankowski is still on board.
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
RyJanks is ours … Keep ya mitts off!!
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The New Isles GM says:
Funny you posted this today, because just yesterday I was thinking how much he played a part in helping Garth learn the ropes of taking on a General Manager job. I mean, how responsible could Snow have been with picks such as Petrov, Hamonic, Poulin and Donovan and DeHaan? Not taking any credit from Snow and any insight or inklings he had on these kids…but maybe our staff should be given more credit then it’s been given. Nice post CB, makes me feel even more confident in the behind the scenes action…and just another gem other teams want. Good to know…
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Alan says:
Ryan Rules!
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27Tonelli says:
With us having 5 of the first 82 picks in the NHL Draft we need Ryan to work his magic ! We need Offense !
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It feels good to know that his heart is in the same place as ours—–with the Islanders.
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(Sim)ple says:
Good to hear. I just hope Tavares, Okposo, etc. say the same thing when they become RFAs/UFAs.
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SneakyPete77 says:
Great news! This guy knows his stuff. His dad was very well respected in the scouting community and I am sure he will follow in his dad’s footsteps. He won’t get every pick right but even the best don’t get every pick right. Saying that, I hope we do not trade this pick. Any of the players in the top 10 would help our franchise a lot.
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Irish Isle says:
It is glad to hear Jankowski is staying. When the Isles reach the promise land, his role will be as important as those who are skating on the ice.
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Honnold says:
Meh. The jury’s out imho.
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mark p says:
I am starting to warm to Ryan…..but Bailey’s progression this coming season will either leave him as OK…..or take him to very good in my eyes.
We had 4 picks in the Top 60….more than just Hamonic need to make an impact if we are going to say such nice things about him. -
News this morning makes me appreciate Jankowski more than I already did. Zach Kassian was arrested for a bar brawl. Between that and his 20 game in-season suspension, I like Ryan’s judgement of character in going with de Haan.
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Just Sayin says:
Other than Steven Stamkos, no player selected in 2008 has scored more NHL goals than Josh Bailey. When are people going to realize what the Isles did was the right move?
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Spartiarti RVC says:
I dream that Bailey becomes a Mike Richards. I think Ryan has down great so far. We will have better idea of how Snowjanks ranks in few more years.
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Frank nyc says:
So far SnoJanks are having a fairly high success rate with their draft picks. The NHL draft is a complete crapshoot, way more so than say the NFL draft. Most of the players they have drafted are still in the fold and some are moving along very nicely. Good to see he is committed to what he started here.
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joe says:
great news, keep bringing in those prospects to long island janks.
Good news for us. This guy seems to know what he is doing. The Isles must pay pretty well for him to turn down an opportunity like that.