Ralston Valley grad Jackson utilizing USPHL development model to earn NCAA D-III opportunity with Lebanon Valley

BY MATT MACKINDER

COLORADO HOCKEY HUB

Garret Jackson honed his game growing up in Colorado and playing with associations in Aspen and Boulder before finishing up with Ralston Valley High School.

The past two years, the Arvada native has taken his game to a new level in Florida with the USPHL’s Palm Beach Typhoon, where he has worn the ‘C’ the past two seasons.

Starting next fall, Jackson will climb the ladder again in beginning his college career with NCAA Division III Lebanon Valley College, located in Annville, Pa.

“The opportunity for me to commit to LVC came after a USPHL showcase in Florida,” explained Jackson. “Coach (Don) Parsons talked to me and expressed how interested in me he was and how much he liked the way I play. After a couple more months of LVC watching me, I got the opportunity to commit.

“The things that appealed to me about their program are the head coach, facilities, and location.”

Jackson noted that academics have always been a top priority for him and that he’ll pursue a Business Ad- ministration major at LVC. Back home, Jackson said his hockey career began innocently enough.

“I started playing hockey because I saw my dad playing and my family would always watch the Avalanche and it was all I wanted to do,” Jackson said. “The Avalanche have had a major impact on hockey for me being a fan had truly made me fall in love with the sport.”

During his youth hockey days, Jackson also played for the Aspen Leafs and Boulder Hockey Club.

“The coach that has had the biggest impact on me is my (Typhoon) coach Joe Flanagan,” said Jackson. “He has provided me with so many opportunities and helped me become a better player and a better leader because I have been the captain there the past two years.”

Looking ahead, Jackson has the mindset to be successful.

“Some long-term goals are to really have a successful next few years at Lebanon Valley and be a real impactful player there,” Jackson said. “Some short-term goals for hockey are to finish my last year of juniors strong and try to take my team as far as we possibly can this year.”

Tigers star Noble using time in NAPHL to land tender agreement with NAHL’s Norsemen

Nicholas Noble has spent the last three seasons with the Colorado Springs Tigers, shining in NAPHL play.

Earlier this month, Noble signed an NAHL tender agreement with the NAHL’s St. Cloud Norsemen.

The 18-year-old Noble is in his second season with the Tigers’ 18U AAA team and has recorded 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 16 NAPHL games so far during the 2022-23 season. His 14 points is tied for second in team scoring.

Noble is also serving as the team captain for the Tigers for the 2022-23 season.

In 34 games overall this season, he has 28 points on nine goals and 19 assists.

Noble had a breakout campaign in 2021-22 with 33 points (10 goals, 23 assists) in 28 NAPHL games. For his efforts, he was named to the All-NAPHL 18U Team for the West Division.

During his first season in the NAPHL with the Tigers’ 16U AAA team in the 2020-21 season, the Missouri native recorded nine points (four goals, five assists) in 19 games.

-- NAPHL Staff

Tigers.