Junior Jack Malm: Forward For Chicago Mission 18U, Varsity Golfer For Oswego East High School

By Ross Forman

Jack Malm played about 10 years for the Naperville Sabres before jumping to Tier I hockey, first for Team Illinois, then the Windy City Storm and, for two seasons now, for the Chicago Mission. He played 16U last season and is now a right-handed shooting right wing for the 18U club.

His final season for the Sabres featured a personal hockey highlight: he scored back-to-back hat tricks.

Malm, 17, who lives in Plainfield, is a junior at Oswego East High School. He has been the MVP for multiple teams over his career and once was a tournament MVP in Michigan. A career highlight was scoring a hat trick and then scoring the overtime winner in the same game to send his team to the championship as a squirt minor.

“I like to play fast and make things happen,” said Malm, sporting uniform No. 86. “I’m very excited for this season; we have a good group of guys and we’re backed by a good coaching staff; expect us to do big things this year.”

To that, Malm said his goal this season is simple: win the state championship.

His motivation is “making my parents proud and making myself proud,” he said.

Malm also has played three seasons of varsity golf and was the team captain.

“Golf helps keep my mental game strong, so when I get on to the ice I can forget about a play and not let it distract me,” said Malm, whose best round of golf was 65. “Hockey helps me with golf because during hockey you have a lot going on, so when I get on the course, I can keep things under control when there is a lot going on.”

Being a two-sport athlete “keeps me busy and out of trouble … and also keeps me in shape,” he said.

Rob Klein, Mission 18U head coach, said being a dual-sport athlete helps develop a unique skill set. “For Jack, golf and hockey are at the forefront of his athletic journey,” Klein said. “Successfully balancing the unique physical and mental demands of both sports has fostered exceptional time management and resilience skills, while shaping him into a highly disciplined, competitive and well-rounded student-athlete. He has excelled in both sports and competes at a high level. Not an easy task for any high school (student).”

Slapshots With … Chicago Mission Forward Jack Malm

One Shining Moment: “My first year (playing Tier I), we scored with less than a second on the clock to win a game.”
Off Ice: Enjoys golf, pickleball and hanging out with friends 
It Helps: Working out and playing pickleball
Superstitions On The Ice: White tape only. Put all the left gear on before the right 
Long-term Career Goals: “Play a sport at a Division I school on a full scholarship, then turn pro.”
Favorite NHL Team: Chicago Blackhawks 
Favorite NHL Player: Artemi Panarin
Favorite Sports-themed Movie: Rudy 
Favorite TV Show: Full Swing 
Motivational Song: Paranoid by Black Sabbath
Favorite Pre-game Meal: Buttered noodles and chicken 
Favorite app: Snapchat 
Celebrity You’d Like To Meet: Justin Thomas