Jayson Megna Explained

Jayson Megna
Birth Date:1 February 1990
Birth Place:Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lb:195
Position:Center
Shoots:Right
League:AHL
Team:Colorado Eagles
Former Teams:Pittsburgh Penguins
New York Rangers
Vancouver Canucks
Colorado Avalanche
Anaheim Ducks
Boston Bruins
Draft:Undrafted
Career Start:2012

Jayson Megna (born February 1, 1990) is an American professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing with the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League (AHL). Megna was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but grew up in Northbrook, Illinois where he started to play hockey at the age of 7.[1]

Playing career

Amateur

As a youth, Megna played in the 2003 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Chicago Young Americans minor ice hockey team.[2]

He played high school hockey at Glenbrook North High School and Tabor Academy. He graduated in 2009 and then went to the USHL where he played two seasons with the Cedar Rapids Roughriders. After two seasons with Cedar Rapids, Jayson went to University of Nebraska at Omaha where he played on the same team as his brother Jaycob Megna. While there, Jayson was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team.

Professional

Pittsburgh Penguins

Following his freshman year Jayson attended the Pittsburgh Penguins development camp and on August 1, 2012 he signed a two-way contract with an annual value of $925,000. In the 2013–14 season, on October 24, 2013, Jayson was recalled from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL).[3] He made his NHL debut versus the New York Islanders on October 25, 2013. He scored his first NHL point, an assist, and also his first NHL goal against the Carolina Hurricanes on October 28, 2013.[4]

New York Rangers

On July 1, 2015, Megna left the Penguins organization as a free agent and signed a one-year, two-way contract with the New York Rangers.[5] He began the 2015–16 season with the Rangers' AHL affiliate the Hartford Wolfpack, and was promoted to the Rangers on November 30, 2015.[6] Megna returned to the Wolfpack on January 22, 2016 for a brief stint.[7] He was later recalled by the Rangers on April 20, 2016, from the team's AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack.[8]

Vancouver Canucks

With his contract with the Rangers completed, Megna secured a one-year, one-way deal as a free agent with the Vancouver Canucks on July 1, 2016.[9] He was reassigned to the Canucks' AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets to start the season but was recalled to the Canucks on October 24, 2016.[10] On December 8, 2016 he scored two goals to help the Canucks defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning by a score of 5–1 for his first career multi-goal game.[11]

On April 2, 2017, Megna signed a one-year extension with the Canucks for the season.[12]

Washington Capitals

On July 1, 2018, Megna signed as a free agent to a one-year, two-way contract with the Washington Capitals for the season.[13] Playing with the Capitals AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, Megna was used in a top six forward role to produce 20 goals and 43 points in 71 games during the regular season and added 8 points in 9 postseason outings.

Colorado Avalanche

As a free agent from the Capitals, Megna agreed to one-year, two-way $700,000 contract with his fifth NHL club, the Colorado Avalanche on July 1, 2019.[14] After attending his first Avalanche training camp, Megna was amongst the last cuts re-assigned to begin the season with AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. Collecting 4 points through his first 8 games, Megna was recalled to the NHL and made his Avalanche debut in a 4-3 overtime defeat against the Florida Panthers on October 30, 2019.[15] Megna made 8 appearances throughout the season going scoreless, returning to the AHL he notched 18 goals and 34 points in 43 regular season games before the season was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On October 11, 2020, Megna was re-signed to a one-year, two-way extension with the Avalanche.[16] In the pandemic delayed season, Megna appeared with both the Eagles and Avalanche, primarily assigned as a part of the Avalanche's taxi squad. He recorded his first points with the Avalanche, notching two assists in two consecutive games against the Los Angeles Kings on May 12, 13. He remained on the Avalanche's extended roster throughout the post-season, despite not featuring.

Megna continued his tenure with the Avalanche on June 16, 2021, agreeing to a two-year, two-way contract extension.[17]

Anaheim Ducks

In the final year of his contract, Megna was re-assigned to the AHL to resume his role as captain of the Eagles to open the season. After two games with the Eagles, he was recalled by the injury depleted Avalanche to assume fourth-line center duties. Megna went scoreless through 14 games with the Avalanche before he was placed on waivers and claimed the following day by the Anaheim Ducks on December 6, 2022.[18] Megna remained on the Ducks roster for the duration of the season and made his most NHL appearances since 2017, in finishing with 2 goals and 8 points in a combined 55 games.

Boston Bruins

As a free agent from the Ducks, Megna was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Boston Bruins for the season on July 1, 2023.[19] Towards the end of a successful year with the Providence Bruins having recorded 19 goals and 37 assists through 69 appearances, Megna was rewarded for his efforts with a recall to the NHL club on April 16, 2024.[20] He made his Bruins debut later that day against the Ottawa Senators, in the final game of the regular season.

Return to Colorado

At the conclusion of his contract with the Bruins, Megna left as a free agent and opted to return to Colorado in signing a two-year AHL contract with the Eagles on July 9, 2024.[21]

Personal life

Megna's younger brother Jaycob (born December 10, 1992) is also a professional hockey player, playing with the Florida Panthers.[22] His father, Jay, was a defensive back for the Miami Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints in the 1980s.[23]

He is married to Taylor Craig, daughter of 1980 U.S. Olympic goaltender, Jim Craig; the couple welcomed their first daughter in 2021.[24]

Career statistics

Team League GP GP G A Pts PIM
2009–10Cedar Rapids RoughRidersUSHL56 11 15 26 62 5 0 0 0 6
2010–11Cedar Rapids RoughRidersUSHL60 30 28 58 45 8 4 3 7 4
2011–12Nebraska–Omaha MavericksWCHA38 13 18 31 27
2012–13Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsAHL56 5 7 12 28 12 2 3 5 0
2013–14Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsAHL25 9 6 15 4 13 1 2 3 4
2013–14Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL36 5 4 9 6 2 0 0 0 0
2014–15Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsAHL63 26 13 39 40 8 1 4 5 2
2014–15Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL12 0 1 1 14
2015–16Hartford Wolf PackAHL65 15 29 44 22
2015–16New York RangersNHL6 1 1 2 2
2016–17Utica CometsAHL4 1 2 3 0
2016–17Vancouver CanucksNHL58 4 4 8 6
2017–18Utica CometsAHL25 4 9 13 6
2017–18Vancouver CanucksNHL1 0 0 0 0
2018–19Hershey BearsAHL71 20 23 43 34 9 4 4 8 6
2019–20Colorado EaglesAHL43 18 16 34 22
2019–20Colorado AvalancheNHL8 0 0 0 2
2020–21Colorado AvalancheNHL7 0 2 2 0
2020–21Colorado EaglesAHL13 7 2 9 2
2021–22Colorado AvalancheNHL20 0 3 3 4
2021–22Colorado EaglesAHL38 13 20 33 18 9 6 3 9 8
2022–23Colorado EaglesAHL9 3 3 6 12
2022–23Colorado AvalancheNHL14 0 0 0 2
2022–23Anaheim DucksNHL41 2 6 8 4
2023–24Providence BruinsAHL69 19 37 56 16 4 2 1 3 2
2023–24Boston BruinsNHL1 0 0 0 0
NHL totals204 12 21 33 40 2 0 0 0 0

Awards and honors

AwardYear
College
All-WCHA Rookie Team2011–12[25]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Skater from Illinois picks hockey over dad's sport of football .
  2. Web site: Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA. 2018. Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2019-02-16. March 6, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190306085544/https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf. dead.
  3. Web site: Penguins Recall Forward Jayson Megna . November 3, 2013. October 24, 2013 . Pittsburgh Penguins.
  4. Web site: Rookie Jayson Megna has 1st career goal, assist in Penguins' 3–1 win over Hurricanes . November 3, 2013 . October 28, 2013 . National Hockey League.
  5. Web site: Rangers agree to terms with free agent forward Jayson Megna . . July 1, 2015 . July 1, 2015.
  6. Web site: Rangers center Derek Stepan out 4 to 6 weeks. Gorman, D.. November 30, 2015. AP Sports.
  7. Web site: Megna returned to Wolf Pack . . Brett Cyrgalis . 2016-01-22 . 2016-01-22.
  8. Web site: New York Rangers Recall Seven Players from Hartford Wolf Pack. April 21, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160505043703/http://www.sportsmedia101.com/newyorkrangers/2016/04/20/new-york-rangers-recall-seven-players-from-hartford-wolf-pack/. May 5, 2016. dead.
  9. Web site: Canucks sign Jayson Megna to one-year deal . . 2016-07-01 . 2016-07-02.
  10. Web site: Canucks Recall Megna and Stecher from the Comets. National Hockey League. October 24, 2016. October 25, 2016.
  11. Web site: Jack Skille, Jayson Megna power Canucks to win . National Hockey League . 2016-12-08 . 2016-12-08.
  12. Web site: Jayson Megna signed to one-year extension. canucks.com. April 2, 2017. April 12, 2017.
  13. Web site: Washington Capitals sign Michael Sgarbossa, Jayson Megna . . 2018-07-01 . 2018-07-01.
  14. Web site: Avalanche signs Megna, Renouf and Tynan . . July 1, 2019 . July 1, 2019.
  15. Web site: Huberdeau scores early in OT, Panthers rally to beat Avalanche . . October 30, 2019 . October 30, 2019.
  16. Web site: Avalanche re-signs Jayson Megna . . October 11, 2020 . October 11, 2020.
  17. Web site: Avalanche, Megna agree to two-year contract extension . . June 16, 2021 . June 16, 2021.
  18. Web site: Ducks claim Jayson Megna off waivers from Avs . . December 6, 2022 . December 6, 2022.
  19. Web site: Bruins announce July 1 transactions . . July 1, 2023 . July 1, 2023 .
  20. Web site: 2024-04-16 . Bruins' Jayson Megna: Recalled from AHL Providence . 2024-04-16 . CBSSports.com . en.
  21. Web site: Forward Jayson Megna returns to Colorado . . July 9, 2024 . July 9, 2024 .
  22. Web site: Jaycob Megna player profile . . November 3, 2013 . November 3, 2013.
  23. News: Megna's career path followed hockey passion, not family football lineage . The Vancouver Sun . December 29, 2016 . March 3, 2017.
  24. Web site: Avs player Jayson Megna has a pretty famous father-in-law: USA hockey icon Jim Craig . coloradohockeynow.com . February 16, 2021 . July 5, 2021 .
  25. News: WCHA All-Rookie Teams. College Hockey Historical Archives. May 19, 2013.