Kimberley product Scott Jacklin is returning to the ECHL's Brampton Beast for a second go around.
Jacklin, 26, signed a one-year contract with the Ontario-based ECHL club on July 27, as announced by the Beast via press release.
"I'm really excited to get the year going," Jacklin said in a team release. "We have a lot of our top-end players coming back and I think we will have a great season this year."
Jacklin began the 2015-16 ECHL campaign with the Elmira Jackals before a mid-season trade took him to Brampton — Canada's lone ECHL franchise.
"I learned a lot, it's a little bit of a different world than lots of people might think," Jacklin told the Townsman of his first season in the pro ranks. "It's not all roses. But I learned a lot and kind of played in a couple different roles that I haven't played in the past six years.
"Obviously, my goal is to make it to the next level. Hopefully I can get an American league call up this year and try to show my worth up there, see what happens. That's my goal this year is to do well on the Coast [ECHL] and get called up at some points during the year."
In 46 games during his rookie pro campaign, the 6-foot, 185-pound winger registered eight goals and 21 points. Of those 46 games, 30 came in Brampton with the Beast, where Jacklin amassed three goals and 11 points.
"He's someone who's willing to go into areas that a lot of guys aren't willing to go to," said Colin Chaulk, head coach and vice-president of hockey operations for the Beast, in a team release. "We're expecting more offense from him this season."
Jacklin most certainly has more offense in him. Over a 209-game BCHL career, split between the Cowichan Valley Capitals and Trail Smoke Eaters, he collected 65 goals and 194 points, vaulting into a four-year college career at Robert Morris University, where he went on to produce 48 goals and 107 points in 143 games.
Prior to his time in the BCHL, Jacklin dressed for 90 games in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, accruing 27 goals and 75 points while splitting time with his hometown Kimberley Dynamiters and Invermere's Columbia Valley Rockies.
The Beast finished the 2015-16 season fourth in ECHL's four-team North Division after putting up a record of 23-38-7-4.
Jacklin and the Beast are set to open the 2016-17 ECHL season on the road when they visit the Wheeling Nailers on Saturday, Oct. 15.
In addition to being Canada's only ECHL club, the Beast serve as the affiliate for the AHL's St. John IceCaps and NHL's Montreal Canadiens.