Las Vegas native, current Jr. Duck Overland chooses Air Force
Jerrett Overland is an old hand at keeping his bags packed.
His next planned trip is to the wild blue yonder.
The defenseman, who played in Las Vegas through Pee Wees before stops in Utah, the East Coast and Northern and Southern California, committed to the NCAA Division I U.S. Air Force Academy on Sept. 5.
The Falcons play in the Atlantic Hockey Conference.
“It’s really exciting,” Overland said. “Going to the Air Force Academy is a life-changing decision, and I am proud to make it.”
Overland, a 2001 birth year, played this past season for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks’ 16U AAA team that won a bronze at the USA Hockey Youth Nationals in April. Overland, who will play for the Jr. Ducks’ 18U AAA team this season, welcomes the opportunity to remain in the same place for more than a year.
“I’ve been a bit of a suitcase over the past four years,” he said.
Overland played Bantams in Utah and for the San Jose Jr. Sharks before playing at prep school in the East during his age-15 season. He landed back in the West because of friendships he forged over the summer.
“I knew Ryan (Johnson of the Jr. Ducks) and his dad (Craig) growing up,” Overland said. “Whenever I was at Pacific District and National (Select) camps, I would hang out with the California guys.
“I saw up close how competitive hockey in California is now. Being in the Tier 1 (Elite Hockey) League was great for competition and being scouted.”
Overland, who also played on Santa Margarita Catholic High School’s 2018 national championship team, had a strong season for the Jr. Ducks. He collected 11 points in 12 CAHA games and added 11 more in 36 T1EHL games.
“He’s very calm, very poised with the puck,” said Craig Johnson, who coached Overland with the Jr. Ducks and SMCHS. “He understands the game well and likes to make plays. He can run a power play, too, and I’m sure that was appealing to the next level.
“Defensively, he improved his gap control a ton this season, and he has a good stick. He stays on the defensive side of the puck and defends with his feet.
“He was a big part of our team last season.”
— Chris Bayee
(Sept. 26, 2018)
