From the sun-soaked shores of the Cayman Islands to the bustling streets of Canada's capital, Jaxon Cover's journey to becoming the newest Ottawa Senator is nothing short of remarkable. Selected with the final pick of the first round in the 2026 NHL Draft, Cover is a name that fans will want to remember.
In an emotional moment that would tug at any heartstrings, Cover couldn't hold back the tears when he saw his mom after hearing his name called. “I told myself I wouldn’t cry, but I saw my mom and then the emotions started going,” he shared.
“A couple tears came down. It was just awesome to just spend that time with my family and friends.
It meant the world to me.”
Cover’s story is one for the ages. Growing up in a region where ice is more likely to be found in a drink than on a rink, Cover honed his skills in roller hockey on the Cayman Islands' sole rink.
It wasn't until he moved to Canada, just before high school, that he discovered ice hockey. Talk about a late start - Cover didn’t lace up skates for ice hockey or even know all the rules until his U14 year.
Fast forward a few seasons, and he was snapped up by the London Knights in the fourth round of the Ontario Hockey League draft.
“If I didn’t hear my name called tonight, I would’ve been completely fine with that,” Cover humbly remarked. “Because if you told me I would be in this situation even at the start of the year, I wouldn’t believe you.”
Don Boyd, the Sens' head scout, spoke enthusiastically about Cover's "untapped potential." He emphasized, “It’s a great story, but we drafted him because we believe that he’s got ability; we believe that he’s got skill. We believe he’s going to have a chance to be an offensive guy.”
Cover's stats back up Boyd's optimism. After joining the London Knights for his 17-year-old rookie season, he racked up an impressive 52 points in 67 games, donning No. 87 in homage to his idol, Sidney Crosby.
Cover's story is more than just about personal achievement; it's an inspiration. “I feel that if you really, truly do love something, you don’t need to play it your whole life or need to grow up playing it,” Cover said. He hopes to inspire kids from unconventional backgrounds to pursue their passions, no matter where they start.
Ottawa’s general manager, Steve Staios, had been actively exploring trade options, but the pick that landed Cover was untouchable. This was due to a unique situation stemming from a past trade mishap with the Vegas Golden Knights. The Senators, penalized with the forfeiture of a first-round draft choice, ultimately received the final pick of the first round in 2026, thanks to owner Michael Andlauer’s behind-the-scenes advocacy.
The Senators addressed a pressing need for forward prospects with this pick. Beyond wingers Kasper Halttunen and Blake Montgomery, the team was looking to bolster its offensive depth, and Cover’s selection is a step in that direction.
Jaxon Cover's journey is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the power of dreams. As he steps onto the ice for the Senators, fans will be watching to see how this unique story unfolds.
In Other News...
Canucks Eyeing Familiar Blue-Line Reunion Fans Will Definitely Debate
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There is also a roster wrinkle building around Pierre-Olivier Joseph, with Vancouver expected not to issue him a qualifying offer, which would push him toward free agency. Put together, the two moves hint at a blue-line reset that favors experience and familiarity, even if the debate in Vancouver will come down to whether that is the right mix for a team trying to stay competitive while reshaping its defense. [Read more 🡒]
Canucks May Be Near Their Biggest Pettersson Decision Yet
The Elias Pettersson trade chatter around Vancouver has a very real business side to it, and that is what makes this one different from the usual offseason noise. Pettersson is tied to the Canucks through the 2031-32 season, and his cap hit is large enough to make any move complicated before it even gets to the hockey fit. For a team trying to keep its options open heading into free agency, that kind of contract can quickly become the central issue.
What makes the situation even trickier is the timing. July 1 is creeping closer, and the longer the offseason goes, the fewer paths there may be to create real salary cap flexibility. Vancouver could always try to make the numbers work in a variety of ways, including retaining some salary, but as of now there is still no confirmed deal and plenty of uncertainty about whether this is a true market or just a difficult one to solve. [Read more 🡒]
Predators Just Made Another Forward Move Fans Will Want To See
The Predators have continued to reshape their forward group this offseason, and the latest move gives them another cost-controlled option with some runway left on his contract. Nashville brought in Nils Hoglander from Vancouver for a third-round pick in the 2029 NHL Draft, adding a winger who still has two years left at a $3 million cap hit per season before reaching unrestricted free agency in 2028.
For a Predators front office that has already added Ross Colton, Jack Drury and Adam Edstrom, the deal fits the broader pattern of stacking depth while keeping plenty of flexibility. Nashville still has nearly $17 million in cap space heading toward free agency, so the move raises the question of whether this is another incremental piece or just the latest step in a much bigger offensive shuffle. [Read more 🡒]