Oct. 1—GRAND FORKS — Dane Jackson thought it was a prank.
Vancouver Canucks vice president of hockey operations George McPhee called Jackson in December 1993 and told the former UND player he was being called up to the NHL for the first time.
“We’re going to call you up to Vancouver,” Jackson recalled hearing from McPhee. “You have a flight out of Toronto pretty quick. Here’s your flight number. You have a car service to catch.”
Jackson wasn’t convinced.
“I was going like, ‘Uh huh. Yep. OK,'” Jackson said.
Earlier that season, someone on the Hamilton Canucks played a prank on defenseman Phil Von Stefenelli, saying he got called up.
He came to the arena with a huge suitcase that day.
“Our coach was Jack McIhargey, an old tough guy,” Jackson said. “He said (to Von Stefenelli), ‘What the hell are you doing?’ He’s like, ‘I got called up.’ (McIhargey) is like, ‘No, you didn’t.’
“I felt so bad for him.”
Jackson thought someone was playing the same prank on him.
But at the end of the call, McPhee said, “Dane, are you writing this down?”
Jackson responded, “Hold on, George, I need to get a pen and paper.”
He knew it was for real at that point.
Jackson made his NHL debut on Dec. 14, 1993 in Calgary. The Canucks lost 8-4. Jackson had two shots on goal and registered a minus-2.
Jackson and the Canucks played the next night in Edmonton and lost 7-2.
Then, two days later on Dec. 17, Jackson made his home debut in Vancouver — an extra special night considering he grew up in the same province.
Jackson’s brother was going to school in the area at the time. He also had friends who were attending Simon Fraser and the University of British Columbia.
“That was pretty awesome,” Jackson said. “That was super exciting. I remember I had a pretty good start. I’d always start on the fourth line. If I played well, (coach) Pat Quinn would give me extra shifts.”
Jackson scored twice in his home debut against the Winnipeg Jets. His first NHL goal, assisted by Tim Hunter, came against goalie Bob Essensa in the second period. He scored again in the third. That goal was assisted by Trevor Linden.
Vancouver lost to Dallas two days later. Then, Jackson scored in each of his next three games.
He scored five goals in his first eight NHL games.
He suffered a shoulder injury in Buffalo a month into his NHL tenure and only played two more NHL games that season.
Vancouver went on to the Stanley Cup Final and lost to the New York Rangers in seven games.
Jackson played three regular-season and six playoff games with Vancouver the following season, then signed with the Buffalo Sabres as a free agent.
Jackson played 22 NHL games with the Sabres in 1995-96 for head coach Ted Nolan. Jackson scored five goals, including one against Mike Richter.
He played eight NHL games with the New York Islanders in 1997-98, scoring once.
Jackson’s NHL career totaled 45 regular-season games, 12 goals and 18 points.
He spent most of his professional career — 671 regular-season games — in the AHL.
Jackson played for the Hamilton Canucks, Syracuse Crunch, Rochester Americans, Lowell Lock Monsters and Manchester Monarchs.
1985-87 — Castlegar Rebels (KIJHL)
1987-88 — Vernon (BCJHL)
1988-92 — North Dakota (NCAA)
1992-93 — Hamilton (AHL)
1993-94 — Hamilton (AHL), Vancouver (NHL)
1994-95 — Syracuse (AHL), Vancouver (NHL)
1995-96 — Rochester (AHL), Buffalo (NHL)
1996-97 — Rochester (AHL)
1997-98 — Rochester (AHL), New York Islanders (NHL)
1998-99 — Lowell (AHL)
1999-01 — Rochester (AHL)
2001-03 — Manchester (AHL)
