Jacob Middleton

Jake Middleton
Middleton with the San Jose Barracuda in 2019
Born	(1996-01-02) January 2, 1996 (age 27) Wainwright, Alberta, Canada
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Minnesota Wild San Jose Sharks
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	210th overall, 2014 Los Angeles Kings
Playing career	2016–present

Jacob "Jake" Middleton (born January 2, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was originally drafted 210th overall (the last pick in the draft) by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

After being drafted by the Owen Sound Attack in the 2012 Ontario Hockey League Draft, Middleton played 14 games for the team before being traded to the Ottawa 67's on January 7, 2013. ^[1] On January 8, 2016, in his fourth season with the 67's, Middleton was named captain of the team. ^[2] After concluding that season, on April 8, 2016, Middleton signed an amateur try-out agreement with the Manchester Monarchs of the ECHL. ^[3] He played seven games for the Monarchs before joining the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the San Jose Sharks, the San Jose Barracuda, for the 2016–17 season. ^[4]

On September 7, 2017, Middleton signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks. ^[4] He subsequently played the 2017–18 season with their American Hockey League affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda.

While attending the Sharks' training camp prior to the 2018–19 season, on September 23, 2018, Middleton was reassigned to Barracuda. ^[5] On January 5, 2019, Middleton was recalled from the Barracuda, ^[6] and made his NHL debut that night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. ^[7] He recorded his first point on April 4, 2019, in a 3–2 victory against the Edmonton Oilers. ^[8] On October 5, 2019, he was placed on injured reserve. ^[9]

In the 2021–22 season, while remaining on the Sharks roster, Middleton scored his first NHL goal in a 6–3 win against the Ottawa Senators on November 24, 2021. ^[10] He compiled career best marks of 3 goals and 9 points through 45 games. While in the midst of his first full NHL season he was traded by the Sharks, along with a 2022 fifth-round draft pick to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Kaapo Kahkonen on March 21, 2022. ^[11]

As a pending free agent, Middleton opted to remain with the Wild in signing a three-year, $7.35 million extension on July 6, 2022. ^[12]

International play

Medal record
Representing   Canada
Ice hockey
World Championships
	2023 Finland/Latvia

On May 5, 2023, Middleton was named to Canada men's national ice hockey team at the 2023 IIHF World Championship where he recorded five assists in ten games and won a gold medal. ^[13]

Personal life

Jake formerly played alongside his brother, Keaton, for the AHL's San Jose Barracuda between 2018 and 2020. ^[14] Keaton currently plays within the rival Colorado Avalanche organization.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2011–12	Stratford Cullitons	GOJHL		4	0	3	3	0		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Owen Sound Attack	OHL		14	0	1	1	7		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Ottawa 67's	OHL		15	1	3	4	18		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Ottawa 67's	OHL		65	2	21	23	64		—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	Ottawa 67's	OHL		64	4	23	27	62		6	1	1	2	4
2015–16	Ottawa 67's	OHL		68	7	24	31	68		5	0	2	2	2
2015–16	Manchester Monarchs	ECHL		2	0	1	1	0		5	0	0	0	0
2016–17	San Jose Barracuda	AHL		50	1	8	9	56		13	0	4	4	10
2017–18	San Jose Barracuda	AHL		67	6	22	28	80		4	0	1	1	0
2018–19	San Jose Barracuda	AHL		57	5	14	19	67		4	0	0	0	0
2018–19	San Jose Sharks	NHL		3	0	1	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	San Jose Barracuda	AHL		32	1	5	6	52		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	San Jose Sharks	NHL		10	0	2	2	9		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	San Jose Sharks	NHL		1	0	0	0	2		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	San Jose Barracuda	AHL		22	3	4	7	18		4	0	2	2	0
2021–22	San Jose Sharks	NHL		45	3	6	9	69		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	Minnesota Wild	NHL		21	1	4	5	13		6	0	1	1	2
2022–23	Minnesota Wild	NHL		79	3	12	15	72		6	0	2	2	8
NHL totals				159	7	25	32	167		12	0	3	3	10

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2013	Canada Ontario	U17	6th		5	1	1	2	16
2023	Canada	WC			10	0	5	5	4
Junior totals					5	1	1	2	16
Senior totals					10	0	5	5	4

Awards and honours

Award	Year
OHL
Second All-Rookie Team	2013
AHL
All-Star Game	2019

References

1. "67's Trade Ceci and Janes to Owen Sound". ottawa67s.com. January 7, 2013. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
2. "Jake Middleton named captain of 67's". ottawa67s.com. January 8, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
3. "Middleton Signs ATO with Monarchs". ottawa67s.com. April 8, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
4. "Sharks Sign Defenseman Jacob Middleton". National Hockey League. September 7, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
5. "Sharks Reduce Training Camp Roster By 16 Players". National Hockey League. September 23, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
6. "Sharks Recall Defenseman Jacob Middleton". National Hockey League. January 5, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
7. Gilmore, Eric (January 6, 2019). "Lightning point streak ends at 16 in loss to Sharks". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
8. "Sharks' Jacob Middleton: Earns first NHL point". cbssports.com. April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
9. "Sharks Recall Defenseman Trevor Carrick". National Hockey League. October 5, 2019. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
10. "Meier scores three points for Sharks in victory against Senators". National Hockey League. November 24, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
11. "Wild Acquire Jake Middleton from Sharks". National Hockey League. March 21, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
12. "Minnesota Wild D Jacob Middleton agrees to three-year contract extension". The Sports Network. July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
13. "20 players named to Canada's National Men's Team for 2023 IIHF World Championship". Hockey Canada. May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
14. "BARRACUDA SIGN DEFENSEMAN KEATON MIDDLETON". sjbarracuda.com. September 19, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2019.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  Hockey-Reference.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database