Friday, December 30, 2022

UNH Commit Jason Siedem: A Forward With A Heavy Shot

Jason Siedem
2023 UNH Commit
"Jason is a good size forward with a heavy shot." Neutral Zone, September, 2022
Jason Siedem Forward, 6'0", 185 lbs. Shoots Right
Hometown: Madison, New Jersey
DOB: October 17, 2002; 20 years, 2 months
Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars
Current Teams: Blackfalds Bulldogs (Alberta Junior Hockey League)
Committed to UNH on October 17, 2022 at Age 20 years.

2022 Highlight Reel

In our interview, Jason Siedem said "I believe I can fit in and help create goals" with UNH next season. This highlight reel shows 4 of Siedem's goals from the first half of the 2022-23 season with the Blackfalds Bulldogs (AJHL).

Interview

I had an opportunity to interview Jason Siedem, via email, about his hockey career and commitment to UNH:

Mike Lowry: Congratulations on your commitment to play for the University of New Hampshire. How did you first become interested in UNH? What are the main reasons you chose UNH?

Jason Siedem: UNH is a great school, beautiful campus and has a great hockey tradition. The team plays in one of the best conferences in the country and it is a great place to develop my hockey.

Mike Lowry: In January, 2017, when you were a 14-year-old 8th grader, you and your older brother Ryan verbally committed to Boston College. In late 2018, your commitment to BC ended. What factors entered into that decision?

Jason Siedem: My brother Ryan chose to leave the NTDP after his first year there. He had the opportunity to join another USHL team and play a much bigger role. We felt that this was the best path for his development. BC didn't agree with that decision, so we decided it was best for all of us to part ways.

Lowry: When you renewed the recruiting process, what college programs, other than UNH, did you consider? Which schools did you visit and which ones made an offer to you?

Siedem: I was being recruited by a number of D-1 schools, including two from out west and two others in the east. I felt that UNH was the best fit for me when you consider the quality of the school, and the level of the hockey program. I also felt good about my connection with the coaching staff.

Lowry: At this stage in your hockey development, what are the strengths of your game? What areas are you trying to improve?

Siedem: I have been a consistent offensive producer at every level of hockey that I have played and I believe that I will be in college as well. I think I can be valuable to UNH next season offensively. However, I’ve also become a much better defensive player during juniors. In the last two seasons I’ve become much more skilled on the defensive side of the puck and I plan to deliver strong defensive play to UNH as well. I think I can be a strong contributor as a two-way player.

Lowry: In your successful freshman season with the Avon Old Farms Winged Beavers in 2017-18, you scored 10 goals and 12 assists in 22 games and tied for second in team scoring. Over the subsequent 3 seasons, you played only 10 games with AOF. What factors limited your play with the Winged Beavers?

Siedem: I faced some health issues at Avon, that reduced my playing time after my freshman season. I faced two injuries to my back and another to my ankle in my senior year. It was tough to go through that, but looking back now, it is a source of strength to me. I found out how much hockey means to me, and also I have a history of overcoming challenges which gives me a sense of resilience in future battles.

Lowry: Early last season, you went to the other side of North America to play for the Blackfalds Bulldogs in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. You were the Bulldogs' second leading scorer with 17 goals and 27 assists in 49 games. So far this season, you're 3rd in team scoring with 12 goals and 27 assists in 34 games. If you reflect back over the last 6 years, how would you compare the player you are at 20 years old with the way you were at 14? Do you have any regrets over committing to a college hockey program at such a young age?

Siedem: In many ways my game is very similar to when I was a Bantam and I committed to Boston College. As long as I can remember, I have been skilled with the puck. I see the play develop very clearly and I have always made good decisions with the puck. I love creating opportunity for my line mates, and really enjoy moving pucks to them in open space where they are in a good position to make a play. Also, I have a quick release and I can can score goals. I am bigger now then I was as a bantam. I am more successful at winning puck battles now then I was then and better at causing turnovers. I am also much better defensively now than I was as a bantam and in high school.

Lowry: Have you had an opportunity to watch the current UNH team play? If so, how do you think you can help the team when you join it?

Siedem: I have watched the UNH team, and the team has many talented players. I believe I can fit in and help create goals. I am excited to get there and help the team win.

Neutral Zone Scouting Reports

AJHL Game Report, September, 2022
"Jason is a good size forward with a heavy shot. He played the R flank on the PP where he moved the puck well with the PP QB, down to the R post, or with cross-ice seem passes. He had several hard wrist shots on goal from the R flank position on the PP. He assisted on their lone goal early on when he backed off the Dman down the R side and laid a drop pass at the top of the R circle for his teammate to skate into."
Avon Old Farms Christmas Classis, January, 2020
"Jason looked good here. His game is understated but the more we watched, the more we liked. He played slippery along the wall as he rode contact, got off checks and protected the puck. He played a poised game with possession and is not a risk to turn pucks over. His vision is very good and he has the hands to get pucks on his teammates tape. Threw some sauce and has quick hands to create laned when necessary. He used his point men in the offensive zone and excelled below the dots. Jason had a lot of chances and should be able to chip in as the season goes on. He is a player that has been through some trials but we liked his game a lot as he plays the right way. High upside."
World Selects Invite, June, 2017
"The late ’02 is the younger brother of NTDP U17 defenseman Ryan Siedem. Jason is a highly skilled prospect in his own right. He buzzed around the ice here, dangled opposing defenders in open ice and out of the corners and showed a high compete level. He’s an elusive skater with excellent puck control and stickhandling ability. He sat back and let the play develop in front of him and other times he took charge and pressed the pace."
"He has a powerful shot and shoots to score, has nice touch on his passes and showed a multi-dimensional skill set where he can be used in nearly any situation. He also showed separational speed through the neutral zone and was able to pull away from opponents and go in all alone on goaltenders. Our only critique was his thin build and lack of physical play which should develop over time. He scored 5 goals and chipped in 2 assists over 6 games."

Youth, Prep/High School, & Junior Hockey Statistics

Player Season Team League GP Goals Asst Pts PIM
Jason Siedem (F) 2022-23 Blackfalds Bulldogs AJHL 34 12 27 39 14
2021-22 Blackfalds Bulldogs AJHL 45 16 27 43 20
Playoffs 4 1 0 1 2
Cowichan Valley Capitals BCHL 3 0 2 2 2
2020-21 Avon Old Farms School New England Prep 1 0 0 0 -
2019-20 Avon Old Farms School New England Prep 9 1 4 5 -
2018-19 Madison High School USHS-NJ - 16 18 34 -
New Jersey Rockets 16U USPHL 16U 16 13 21 34 2
Playoffs 3 1 2 3 0
Avon Old Farms School New England Prep 1 0 0 0 -
NV River Rats 16U 16U AAA 15 4 11 15 -
Team Columbia USA Select 16 5 0 0 0 4
2017-18 Avon Old Farms School New England Prep 25 10 12 22 -
North Jersey Avalanche 16U T1EHL 9 4 3 7 4
AYHL 16 2 2 0 2 2
Team Forest USA Select 15 3 1 2 3 -
2016-17 NJ Devils Youth 14U AYHL 14U 17 18 21 39 10
Playoffs 4 0 0 0 0
2015-16 NJ Devils Youth 13U AYHL 13U 28 37 31 68 28

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