An aggressive goaltender, Jason Garbelman is in his second season on the Joliet Jaguars U18 team, looking to extend his winning ways for the club, where he has won three NIHL championships and two have come with a president’s cup, too.
He has played his entire 11-year hockey career for the Jaguars.
“If I could say one thing to the younger Jaguar players, it would be: ‘Always have fun and always try your very best,” said Garbelman, 18, who lives in Joliet and graduated last May from Joliet West High School.
“Winning the NIHL Championship the year after we lost it (was a career highlight). My first year of U16, we battled hard and made the championship. Our team didn’t really play the best game, and playing a tough opponent didn’t help. The next year had something special to offer and I would have never thought.”
Garbelman said past Jaguar players have long influenced and impacted his career. “They always looked like they gave 110 percent,” he said. “Also, many coaches have influenced my career as they would always push me to be the best.
“The year after we lost in the NIHL championship, I really wanted to move up to U18 with all of my ‘05 teammates that I had been playing with for years. The (Joliet) hockey director and U18 head coach thought it was better for me to play my second year of U16. I disagreed, but still did. Little did I know it would be one of my best seasons; we did great things as we went 12-2-2 in the regular season to secure first place. We moved on into the championship and won.”
Now Garbelman is the one who young Joliet players idolize.
“I looked up to a lot of the players on my cousin Jake Ciszek’s team when I was younger. Now that kids look up to me, I try to be a good influence, as I hope one day they will also do the same,” he said.
Jason’s older brother, Jack, was a wing for the Jaguars. Cousins Joey Ciszek (center) and Jake Ciszek (defense) also skated for the Jaguars.
“Not that my (relatives) made me be a goalie, but all of them played as a player, so I decided to switch it up and be a goalie,” he said.
Stopping Slapshots with … Joliet Jaguars Goalie Jason Garbelman
Goals For This Season: Win NIHL and make a run at the state championship.
Jersey Number: 51
Off The Ice: “I am an electrical apprentice working every day, which unfortunately takes up most of my day.”
Hobbies: Photography
Flexibility: He does a lot of stretching and mobility work. “It’s very important to keep your body loose, no matter what sport you play.”
Long-term Goal: “I would like to play juniors or college (hockey) in the future.”
Favorite NHL Team: Nashville Predators
Favorite NHL Player: Pekka Rinne
Favorite Sports-themed Movie: Miracle
Favorite TV Show: Suits
Favorite Pre-game Meal: Pasta, preferably mac and cheese
Favorite app: Instagram
Celebrity You’d Like To Meet: Jon Jones
Best Hockey Tip: “Always keep that stick on the ice” – His grandfather
Best Local Uniform (other than your team): Chicago Fury