Burridge enjoying every shift in final season

Jeff Burridge is having the best year of his career while captaining the London Nationals to the top of the standings in his final junior season.

(Photo: Bruce Laing).

There’s nothing quite like a local hockey player having a successful career with their hometown team.

That’s the life Jeff Burridge is living this season while playing his first – and last – full season with the London Nationals of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL). Not only is he having a phenomenal season, but he’s doing so wearing the ‘C’ on his jersey.

In fact, the opportunity to captain the Nationals played a part in his decision to return home this season.

“Being a leader on a team, especially on a team like London … I just knew I’d be able to accept that role and do well in that role. And I think I’m doing that so far.”

That might be an understatement. In 23 games this season, the 20-year-old forward has tallied 53 points (19 goals, 34 assists), second only to teammate – and linemate – Zach Power in the GOJHL’s scoring race.

And he’s doing it all while carrying the captaincy load on his shoulders. It’s a role that inevitably puts added pressure on a player, which can impact one’s play. Will they crumble under that pressure or use it to push them to be the best they can – making a real difference on and off the ice.

Burridge is doing the latter.

“It's a big weight on my shoulders, and I know I have to perform every night. I’m captain, and I know I have to lead everyone.” he says. “But that helps me because I’m a competitor.”

Burridge had previously spent most of his junior days playing elsewhere, including for the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL during the 2019-20 season. Moving back home was a change for the London native.

“My whole entire hockey career, as far as I can think back, I haven’t played in front of my family or anything,” he said. “So, it kind of persuaded me to come here and play, especially with London being a very good team. That helped a lot in my decision.”

Moving back to your hometown comes with a lot of changes – including, in Burridge’s case, moving back in with his parents. He laughs about that process, though he notes it’s been a positive change.

“I think they're enjoying having my company around all the time now,” he said. “It's probably a bit different from the past couple of years when I was never around. But I love being at home. It feels safe here.”

Burridge played two games with the Nationals back in 2016-17, but now he’s a crucial member of the squad – and a key factor in the team’s success thus far.

Entering action Wednesday (Dec. 29), the Nationals sit tied for first place in the league’s Western Conference with 38 points. They’re 18-4-1-1, and they’ve got three games in hand of the Leamington Flyers, who also sit at 38 points.

What will be key for London to maintain their first half momentum?

“Just keep working hard. Everything’s starting to come together. I think at this point, it's just working hard and putting the puck in the net – really simple,” Burridge said. “We've gotta capitalize on our chances and hopefully everything will go okay from there.”

Jeff Burridge (right) celebrates a goal with teammate Jacob Julien during a 4-2 win over the Strathroy Rockets on Dec. 1. (Photo: Bruce Laing).

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Rising COVID-19 cases are a potential threat to the completion of the GOJHL season. While the virus has yet to drastically impact the league, teams have missed handfuls of games, and the Nationals themselves had to postpone three December contests due to two positive cases on the team (one player and one coach).

Having fans in the arena is something players hope they’ll never have to go without again. After a stretch without them, Burridge appreciates the importance of fans in the stands – and how a filled arena helps his home team.

“It hypes you up,” the captain said. “When you're coming out onto the ice and you have everyone cheering for you, it gets your adrenaline going. (When) you score a big goal or something, all the fans are cheering and it helps your team immensely, especially when you’re down.”

It’s been a heckuva ride so far with the London Nationals in 2021-22, as Burridge is enjoying the best statistical season of his career, but it’s a career that has certainly had other highlights along the way. He cites his time with the Wellington Dukes as a 16-year-old in 2017-18.

“We went to the RBC Cup Final, which was a big deal for me because I was young and went all the way out to BC. And we got a ring for that, so that was pretty cool.”

A former third-round OHL draft pick (Flint Firebirds, 2017), Burridge is now on the older end of a junior career. He’s putting forth his best effort every night – not only because of his captaincy, but because, as the forward puts it, it’s his “last kick of the can in Junior B.” The GOJHL equivalent, say, of an older NHL player in his final years — like one of Burridge’s favourites, Alexander Ovechkin.

“It's my last year. He’s getting old as well, and he’s still grinding away and doing the best he can.”

Ovechkin might not be the best NHL comparison for Burridge’s style of play, though. Rather, Rick Nash comes to mind for the Londoner. They’re both big bodies on the ice and good passers, he says. And they’ve got shooting skills, too. Still, when asked about his dream linemates, Ovechkin makes the cut.

“Ovechkin for sure. The guy can shoot the puck,” Burridge says. “And, honestly, I’d say [Nicklas] Bäckström because those guys are amazing together. If I could fit in with them, I wouldn’t complain about it, that’s for sure.”

At the junior level, Burridge is no slouch. His 19 goals are tops on the Nationals, and he’s averaging an impressive 2.30 points per game through his first 23 contests. At that rate, a 100-point season isn’t out of the question.

In other words, he’s going out with a bang. And as he nears the end of his junior hockey career, he holds on to a piece of advice that his coach, Colin Martin, gave him.

“One thing that Marty says a lot this year is don’t have any regrets at the end of the year. Go all out. It’s your last year, go have fun and work hard and hopefully everything will work out in the end.”