Luke Jorden, a senior center for the co-op D211 Chiefs, brings a host of sporting experiences to the rink. As a broadcaster, not just a player.
He is a broadcaster for his high school (Palatine), calling the action for football, basketball and soccer for the school broadcasting network that he became president of as a junior. He also broadcasts for the Chicago Portagers in the summer, a box lacrosse team in Arlington Heights that plays teams around the Great Lakes area. And he calls hockey games for the Chicago Crush Elite and Premier levels (USPHL), as well as the SHL Network – as a play-by-play announcer, analyst, or sideline reporter.
“I enjoy (broadcasting hockey) a lot as it’s the sport I have the most knowledge in, by far, and I have many to thank in my past and present for educating me on the game since I was young,” Jorden said.
Broadcasting hockey does help his playing, he said, “because I call hockey games that are at a faster or similar pace of my own. It is like a silent film study in the back of my mind as I’m announcing.”
Jorden, 18, who lives in Palatine, grew up playing for the Rolling Meadows Renegades. He was a JV all-star as a sophomore and was the team’s top forward this season, finishing with a team-leading 14 points (10 goals, 4 assists) in 23 regular season games. The Chiefs went 2-20-2, 12th place in the 13-team Varsity Champions League of the IHSHL North-Central Division.
The right-handed shooting Jorden scored the game-winning goal in the fifth overtime of the IHSHL JV Gold semifinal as a sophomore, helping the team ultimately win the championship.
“I am an agile player who uses speed and reaction-time to make plays on both sides of the ice,” Jorden said. “I’m sure this is a common (sentiment): I followed Patrick Kane since I was young. It felt like he always carried such confidence that made him unstoppable. His handling of the puck is arguably the best we’ve seen.”
Jorden’s handiwork with the puck helped him score against Combined Division powerhouse Chicago North – and the goal made SHL Network’s No. 6 on the list of Top 10 goals of October 2023.
“We have so many injuries this season that I’m often one of two centers while there are three lines of wings. We lost a handful of players to long-term injuries,” Jorden said.
Jorden is planning to attend Harper College next fall to further build his broadcasting resume, then move on to a four-year college.
Jorden announced the action for seven games in January: six hockey and one basketball.
“Luke’s energy and emotion for games has been a spark to the team this season,” said Chiefs head coach Bob Veller.
SLAPSHOTS WITH … D211 Chiefs Center Luke Jorden
Off-Ice: Enjoys working out, playing video games and spending time with family, including his dog, Louie.
Lacrosse: This spring will mark his second season with the Palatine varsity team. “I play face off guy, (which is similar) to the center position in hockey in a way.”
This Season: “It has not gone as planned. We had potential to be competitive in the Champions Division before a handful of players left to go play for different organizations. Although we lose often, it makes our wins feel extra special.”
Jorden’s Season: “I am proud of how I’m playing through the adversity. My goal was to lead by example on and off the ice, and I feel I have played that part to my fullest.”
Season Highlight: “A tournament in Madison, Wisconsin, because we played good competition and we improved. We had good times off the ice as well.”
Favorite NHL Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Favorite NHL Player: Patrick Kane
Favorite Sports-themed Movie: Miracle
Favorite TV Show: The Office
Favorite Pre-game Meal: For day games, peanut butter toast; for night games, pasta
Favorite app: Snapchat
Celebrity You’d Like To Meet: Doc Emrick
Best Hockey Tip: “It’s not your legs that are weighing you down; it’s your mind.” - Bob Veller, D211 Chiefs head coach
Hardest Slapshot On The Chiefs: Brian Kaszniak
Most Accurate Shot: Brendan Keoppen
Teammate Who You Could See As A Hockey Coach: Tyson Moorer – “He’s very competitive and wants to win.”
Best High School Uniform (other than the Chiefs): “I like Lake Forest’s color scheme and jerseys; their all-white uniforms are great.”