Mark Jankowski has spent the most time of his NHL career with the Nashville Predators, the next closest team is the Calgary Flames who drafted him back in 2012.
After a few years of floating around from Calgary, Pittsburgh, New Jersey, Rochester, Milwaukee, & now Nashville he’s found stability.
“It’s awesome, my Fiancée she’s a rock & has been unbelievable being able to go to a different city every year on one-year contracts,” Jankowski said. “From stressful summers & everything she’s been able to help me through that.
“Being able to be here for a few years, it’s a testament to the both of us, but definitely her for being able to stick by me through all those times.”
Mark & his now soon-to-be wife Rachel will tie the knot this coming summer after he proposed during the All-Star break earlier this year.
The two met during Jankowski’s rookie season in Calgary when the late Johnny Gaudreau & a friend of his introduced him to Rachel.
Jankowski’s journey to the NHL started when he was selected No. 21 in the 2012 NHL Draft out of Stanstead College in Quebec.
Before Jankowski was selected by the Flames in Pittsburgh his fate had been moved around twice.
Jankowski after being drafted in 2012. (Credit: Calgary Flames)
Five months before the draft, the Nashville Predators dealt their first-round pick to the Buffalo Sabres for centerman Paul Gaustad along with a fourth-round pick in 2013.
After the deal, Buffalo sat at No. 21 & opted to trade the pick they acquired from Nashville, along with pick No. 42, to the Calgary Flames for pick No. 14.
Jankowski went on to play college hockey for Providence over in Rhode Island after committing to the program around Christmas in 2011. The lanky forward played four seasons at Providence College from 2012-16 posting 110 points in 148 games.
Once his final season of college concluded he made his professional debut with the Stockton Heat in the AHL playing eight games then spent all of the next season with them.
“Learning under Ryan Huska was great for my development,” Jankowski said. “My first-year pro was a little daunting not knowing what to expect, but it was a great year for me being able to learn the pro game.”
Huska was promoted to be the Flames head coach last season & when Jankowski reached his full second year with the Flames the two were together once again.
“He was running the penalty kill when I was there & we had a good relationship,” Jankowski said. “I always knew when he was going to get his shot that he’d do a good job so I’m glad to see him doing well.”
Fast forward to 2020 when uncertainty was at a high for Jankowski’s career. He played in 56 games that season for Calgary & little did he realize that would be his last as a Flame.
Jankowski signed a deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins for a fresh start where he skated in 45 games scoring 11 points.
The following offseason Jankowski was a free-agent again looking for a new home. He signed a professional tryout with the New Jersey Devils that ended up turning into a minor league AHL deal with the Rochester Americans.
Jankowski skating with the Admirals back on January 30, 2024.
“After Pittsburgh, it was tough times for me, I signed a PTO with New Jersey & spent training camp there,” Jankowski said. “I ended up signing with Rochester & I credit that staff for giving me an opportunity to develop my game even further.”
After Jankowski spent a year in the Buffalo Sabres organization he found himself back on the market once again in 2022, but then Nashville gave him a call for a one-year, two-way deal.
He & Rachel moved once more in hopes of sticking with an organization. It was a move that paid dividends for Jankowski’s future of remaining in the NHL.
His performance last season earned him a two-year, two-way deal that began this fall.
With the Milwaukee Admirals last season he scored 47 points in 40 games while dressing in 32 games for the Predators garnering 15 points.
“Everyone has given me a great opportunity & I’m just trying to come in & prove myself every single day, that’s how you get better,” Jankowski said.
Tonight Jankowski is back where it all started for him whether he’s in the lineup or not. He’ll be able to ruminate on his memories in Calgary & reflect on where he’s been & how he got to this point in his life.
Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter/X: @KieserNick
Photos courtesy of the Nashville Predators & Milwaukee Admirals
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