Jason Herter

Jason Herter
Born	(1970-10-02) October 2, 1970 (age 53) Hafford, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	202 lb (92 kg; 14 st 6 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Right
Played for	New York Islanders
NHL Draft	8th overall, 1989 Vancouver Canucks
Playing career	1991–2002
Coaching career
Current position
Title	Associate head coach
Team	Western Michigan
Conference	NCHC
Biographical details
Alma mater	University of North Dakota
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2004–2008	Russell Stover U16
2008–2009	Fargo Force (assistant)
2009–2010	Des Moines Buccaneers (scout)
2010–2011	Fargo Force
2011–2018	Minnesota–Duluth (assistant)
2018–2022	Minnesota Duluth (associate)
2022–Present	Western Michigan (associate)

Jason Herter (born October 2, 1970) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently an associate head coach at Western Michigan.

Drafted in the first round, eighth overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, Herter played one National Hockey League (NHL) game, scoring an assist in a game with the New York Islanders during the 1995–96 season.

Herter represented Canada at one International Ice Hockey Federation-sanctioned event, winning gold at the 1990 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Helsinki, Finland. Herter also represented Canada at the 1990 Goodwill Games where Canada finished in fourth place.

Personal life

Herter was born on October 2, 1970, in Hafford, Saskatchewan. He is married to wife Laura and has a daughter, Jordyn, and a son, Jacob. Jason is of French Métis descent. ^[1] Herter attended Notre Dame College in Wilcox, Saskatchewan, for four years. ^[2]

Playing career

Notre Dame Hounds

Herter played midget high school hockey at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Wilcox, Saskatchewan aka: Notre Dame Hounds of the Saskatchewan Hockey Association (SHA). During the 1986–87 season, he played on the Hounds midget team that placed second at the 1987 Air Canada Cup in Gloucester, Ontario. His 86-87 high school hockey teammates included future NHLers Scott Pellerin (1992 Hobey Baker Winner as the best player in NCAA college hockey), Rod Brind'amour, Jeff Batters and Joby Messier ^{[3] [4]} Herter remained with the Hounds for the next season when the team moved from minor hockey to Junior A, joining the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL). ^[5] In the team's first season, Herter scored 38 points in 54 games as the Hounds won the Credential Cup as SJHL champions. ^[5] After winning the Anavet Cup and Abbott Cup, the Hounds advanced to the 1988 Centennial Cup in Pembroke, Ontario. ^[5] There, Herter scored two points in five tournament games—including one goal in a 9–7 victory over the Thunder Bay Flyers—as the Hounds defeated the Halifax Lions 3–2 in the final game to win the national Junior A championship. ^{[5] [6]}

University of North Dakota

Following his Centennial Cup-winning season with Notre Dame, Herter moved to the University of North Dakota to play college hockey with the North Dakota Fighting Sioux of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). Midway through his freshman season, Herter was ranked as the top player available at the 1989 NHL Entry Draft by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. ^[7] Herter finished his freshman season with eight goals and 24 assists in 41 games. His 24 assists and 32 points set single-season freshmen assist and point records at North Dakota, although his point record has since been broken. ^[8] Following the season, Herter entered the 1989 NHL Entry Draft ranked second overall among North American skaters, dropping one position in the NHL Central Scouting Bureau's final draft ranking. ^[9] On June 17, 1989, he was drafted 8th overall by the Vancouver Canucks. ^[10]

Despite being drafted, Herter returned to North Dakota for his sophomore season. ^[11] He also had the option of joining the Saskatoon Blades, the team that held Western Hockey League rights, but chose North Dakota because the Canucks had five other prospects playing there. ^[12] Throughout the season, Herter suffered from chronic groin injuries and a knee sprain which limited him to only 38 games. ^[13] However, despite his injury-plagued season, Herter scored eleven goals and 39 assists. Nine of his eleven goals were scored on the powerplay, a North Dakota single-season record for a defenceman. ^[8] Further, his 39 assists and fifty points are both fourth all-time for a defenceman in a single season with the Fighting Sioux. ^[8] For his performance, Herter was named to the WCHA Second All-Star Team as well as the All-Tournament Team at the 1990 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament. ^[8]

At the completion of his sophomore season, Herter chose once again not to sign a professional contract and returned to North Dakota for his junior year. ^[14]

Vancouver Canucks

Following his junior season with North Dakota, Herter signed a three-year, $500,000 contract with the Vancouver Canucks that included a $100,000 signing bonus, despite Fighting Sioux coach Gino Gasparini suggesting he play his senior season. ^{[15] [16] [17]} Herter then joined the Canucks for his first professional training camp and played in five pre-season games before being assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals, Vancouver's International Hockey League (IHL) affiliate. ^{[18] [19]} Herter's chronic groin injuries continued throughout his rookie professional season and he played in only 56 of Milwaukee's 82 regular season games and one of five playoff games. ^[20]

New York Islanders

In December 1995, Herter was recalled by the New York Islanders after multiple injuries to Islanders defencemen. ^[21] On December 7, Herter made his NHL debut in a 7–4 loss to the Hartford Whalers. ^[22] Herter was one of the bright spots in the Islanders' loss, as he was on the ice for three of New York's four goals and none of Hartford's seven goals. ^[22] He also assisted on Zigmund Palffy's second goal of the game and was partnered on defence with NHL All-Star Mathieu Schneider. ^{[1] [22]}

International play

Jason Herter

Medal record
Representing   Canada
Men's ice hockey
World Junior Championships
	1990 Helsinki	Ice hockey

Herter represented Canada at one International Ice Hockey Federation-sanctioned event. In July 1989, he was among 32 players invited to the Canadian national junior team's summer evaluation camp in Kitchener, Ontario, for the 1990 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. ^[23] Later that year in December, Herter was invited to the national junior team training camp, after which he was named to the final Canadian roster for the tournament despite finishing training camp with a groin injury. ^{[24] [25]} Herter finished the tournament with one assist in seven games as Canada achieved a 5–1–1 record to win the gold medal. ^[26]

In July and August 1990, Herter was a member of the Canadian team at the 1990 Goodwill Games in Seattle, Washington. ^[27] After finishing the round robin with a 3–0 record, the Canadian team lost 5–4 in a shootout against the United States in their semifinal game and 6–1 to Sweden in the bronze medal game to finish the tournament in fourth place. ^{[28] [29] [30]}

Post-playing career

After retiring from ice hockey, Herter became a scout with the United States Hockey League (USHL). ^[31] He then became head coach of the Overland Park, Kansas-based Russell Stover U16 ice hockey team of the Midwest Elite Hockey League (MWEHL). ^[32] In April 2008, Herter joined the Fargo Force as an assistant coach behind former University of North Dakota head coach Dean Blais. ^[33] Jason Herter left after the 2010-11 season to become an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. ^[34]

Awards and honors

Award	Year
All-WCHA Second Team	1989–90
WCHA All-Tournament Team	1990	[35]
All-WCHA Second Team	1990–91
WCHA All-Academic Team	1990, 1991

Transactions

• June 17, 1989 – Drafted in the first round, 8th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft
• August 6, 1993 – Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Dallas Stars
• September 21, 1995 – Traded by the Dallas Stars to the New York Islanders for cash

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1987–88	Notre Dame Hounds	SJHL		54	5	33	38	152		—	—	—	—	—
1988–89	University of North Dakota	WCHA		41	8	24	32	62		—	—	—	—	—
1989–90	University of North Dakota	WCHA		38	11	39	50	40		—	—	—	—	—
1990–91	University of North Dakota	WCHA		39	11	26	37	52		—	—	—	—	—
1991–92	Milwaukee Admirals	IHL		56	7	18	25	34		1	0	0	0	2
1992–93	Hamilton Canucks	AHL		70	7	16	23	68		—	—	—	—	—
1993–94	Kalamazoo Wings	IHL		68	14	28	42	92		5	3	0	3	14
1994–95	Kalamazoo Wings	IHL		60	12	20	32	70		16	2	8	10	10
1995–96	Utah Grizzlies	IHL		74	14	31	45	58		20	4	10	14	8
1995–96	New York Islanders	NHL		1	0	1	1	0		—	—	—	—	—
1996–97	Kansas City Blades	IHL		71	9	26	35	62		3	0	1	1	0
1997–98	Kansas City Blades	IHL		57	6	19	25	55		—	—	—	—	—
1997–98	Orlando Solar Bears	IHL		8	1	3	4	8		17	5	7	12	20
1998–99	EV Landshut	DEL		46	14	16	30	66		3	1	1	2	29
1999–2000	München Barons	DEL		44	6	14	20	74		11	1	3	4	43
2000–01	München Barons	DEL		54	15	18	33	70		11	4	5	9	12
2001–02	München Barons	DEL		19	4	4	8	26		6	1	3	4	4
IHL totals				394	63	145	208	379		62	14	26	40	54
NHL totals				1	0	1	1	0		—	—	—	—	—
DEL totals				163	39	52	91	236		31	7	12	19	88

International statistics

Year	Team	Event		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1990	Canada	WJC		7	0	1	1	2
Junior totals				7	0	1	1	2

See also

• List of players who played only one game in the NHL

References

1. Ewen, Steve (May 11, 2008). "Jason Herter could have been a contender". The Province . Archived from the original on September 28, 2008. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
2. Houston, William (February 27, 1989). "Saskatchewan farm boy could be top draft pick". The Globe and Mail . p. C1.
3. "Telus Cup". Hockey Canada. Archived from the original on February 23, 2010. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
4. Mayoh, Rick (April 15, 1987). "Richelieu's Savage turns jitters into goals at midget tournament". Ottawa Citizen . p. D2.
5. "Notre Dame Hounds' cinderella season". Hockey Canada. November 8, 2006. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
6. Hodge, Neil (May 10, 1988). "Hounds in medal round despite defensive flaws". Ottawa Citizen. p. E3.
7. "North Dakota star top-rated draft player". Toronto Star . January 24, 1989. p. C2.
8. Benson, Dan (2008). 2008–09 University of North Dakota men's hockey media guide (PDF). North Dakota Fighting Sioux. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 24, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
9. Loewen, Gary (June 16, 1989). "Draft picks look less precious in year when pickings are lean". The Globe and Mail. p. A19.
10. Cox, Damien (June 18, 1989). "Swede makes hockey history: Forward Mats Sundin Nordiques' first choice". Toronto Star. p. G4.
11. Beamish, Mike (July 5, 1989). "Canuck draft pick needs seasoning". The Vancouver Sun . p. B5.
12. Gallagher, Tony (June 18, 1989). "Canucks get a Jason". The Province. p. 62.
13. Jamieson, Jim (October 25, 1990). "First-rounder still around". The Province. p. 93.
14. "Canucks' top pick going back to school". The Vancouver Sun. June 14, 1990. p. C7.
15. MacIntyre, Iain (August 23, 1991). "Canucks sign Jason Herter to NHL deal". The Vancouver Sun. p. D7.
16. Gallagher, Tony (October 25, 1991). "Canucks open vault". The Province. p. A65.
17. "College coach won't block Herter's move". The Vancouver Sun. July 9, 1991. p. D6.
18. Jamieson, Jim (September 5, 1991). "Herter wants his hurts placed firmly in his past". The Province. p. 43.
19. "Canucks stage their own miracle on ice". The Vancouver Sun. September 21, 1991. p. C11.
20. Jamieson, Jim (February 16, 1992). "The worst year of his life: Now Stojanov faces surgery". The Province. p. B4.
21. Diamos, Jason (December 6, 1995). "Lemieux struts stuff against Islanders". The New York Times . Retrieved February 20, 2009.
22. Diamos, Jason (December 7, 1995). "Islanders make a strong case for change". The New York Times. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
23. "Juniors on parade". The Province. July 6, 1989. p. 63.
24. "National Juniors". Ottawa Citizen. November 30, 1989. p. G4.
25. Zurkowsky, Herb (December 18, 1989). "Laval's Brisebois is looking forward to Finnish holiday". The Gazette . p. D3.
26. "1990 – Helsinki, Finland". The Sports Network. Archived from the original on December 31, 2008. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
27. Jamieson, Jim (July 18, 1990). "Wilson in hunt". The Province. p. 40.
28. "Games digest". The Seattle Times . August 4, 1990. Archived from the original on October 2, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
29. Finnigan, Bob (August 5, 1990). "Survival by shootout—Americans, overcome bomb scare, Canada". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on October 2, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
30. Schefter, Adam (August 6, 1990). "No miracle this time: Americans foiled 21 seconds from hockey glory". Seattle Post-Intelligencer . Retrieved February 20, 2009.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
31. "USHL scouts and staff to attend Nike Bauer Invite" (DOC) (Press release). United States Hockey League. October 16, 2006. Retrieved February 20, 2009.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
32. "Russell Stover 16U head coach Jason Herter to coach USHL's Fargo Force" (Press release). Russell Stover Hockey. April 22, 2008. Archived from the original on March 13, 2009. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
33. "Jason Herter hired as Fargo Force assistant coach" (Press release). Fargo Force. April 21, 2008. Retrieved February 20, 2009.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
34. "Former Blackhawks player is new Force coach". Usatoday.com. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
35. "WCHA Tourney History". WCHA. Archived from the original on July 2, 2014. Retrieved June 26, 2014.

External links

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

Sporting positions
Preceded by Trevor Linden	Vancouver Canucks first round draft pick 1989	Succeeded by Petr Nedvěd