LaCombe's turned heads and we can reflect on the gamble the scouting group took. We didn't know what to expect from a player who switched from F to D, while destroying the high school level. Could LaCombe make the big jump from high school to college level? He did.
LaCombe | | | | | | | |
Year | League | Games | G | A | Pts | PPG rate | Plus/Minus |
2019-20 | NCAA | 37 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 0.35 | -1 |
2020-21 | NCAA | 27 | 4 | 17 | 21 | 0.78 | 19 |
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In 2019-20, LaCombe made the Big-10 freshman team. The following year, he made the Big-10 first team. LaCombe also finished 8th overall for a scoring defenseman in the NCAA's this past season. Jackson more than doubled his scoring rate in his sophomore year.
Shots and Blocked Shots
LaCombe | | | | | | | | | | |
Year | League | Games | Shots | S/Game | . | PPG | SHG | . | BLk Shots | BS/Game |
2019-20 | NCAA | 37 | 32 | 0.86 | | 1 | 0 | | 61 | 1.65 |
2020-21 | NCAA | 27 | 49 | 1.81 | | 0 | 2 | | 33 | 1.22 |
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Stats from Minny Hockey Website: link
Jackson took off in his sophomore year by shooting more. It's a simple concepts, but still difficult for players to do if they're not confident. NBA great Michael Jordan once said....
The increase in shooting is great, but it didn't hinder LaCombe's defense. His +19 plus/minus rating has him ranked 2nd best on the team in 2020-21. The previous year he ranked 15th best with his -1 plus/minus rating. Jackson also accounted for 2 short-handed goals, which is team leading. In 2019-20, LaCombed finished 2nd in blocked shots for the team and this past year he finished 3rd overall. Learning to play defense was the reason he went the college route and to Minny. It's paid off. Jackson looks to be a well rounded two-way defenseman.
Believe it or not, but the WJC's was a spark for LaCombe, despite being played in a limited role due to the embarrassment against the Russians. Every team USA player was embarrassed by the Russian team, but LaCombe seemed like a magnet that game for it than others. The kid's resilient to bounce back from something that devastating on a world stage!
Before and After the WJC's
LaCombe | | | | |
Games | G | A | Pts | PPG Rate |
6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0.33 |
After WJCs | | | | |
21 | 4 | 15 | 19 | 0.90 |
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That's quite an impressive production from LaCombe. I suppose seeing other top talents may have given him some insight on what he can do with his own game. It is as if he was letting himself know that he belongs with the top players and that was the reason why he went to the WJC's. Again, I'm more impressed he bounced back after his disaster on a world stage.
I can't wait to see more growth out of LaCombe's game! Also, I remember reading that Asst GM Madden said that LaCombe was still growing when he was drafted. I wonder if that's true and if his height has increased?