While highlight reel goals bring hockey fans to their feet, Virden Oil Capitals defenceman Jackson Orr takes pride in the often-overlooked work at the other end of the ice.
“I have always been a very defensive player and I always think about protecting the house before scoring,” said the blue liner who turns 20 this month. “I really take pride in things like blocking shots and winning puck battles. They are just as important to me as a goal or assist.”
The Oil Capitals appreciate the blueliner - who has an assist through 10 games this season - and his dedication to defence. When asked about the 6-foot, 193-pounder, Virden head coach Tyson Ramsey said:
“Jackson is a defender. He is a big strong guy that defends hard and when he is at his best, he makes a good first pass and is very difficult for other teams to play against. He is a good penalty killer and one of the best shot blockers in the league.”
Orr is also an important leader for the Oil Caps. The third-year defenceman is an assistant captain for the second straight season. In the 2019-2020 campaign, his work off the ice earned him a spot on the RBC-Manitoba Junior Hockey League Community Ambassador team.
“Jackson is a leader on and off the ice for us,” Ramsey said. “He is very mature and is a great role model for our younger guys. He works hard on the ice and in the gym and he takes a tremendous amount of pride in his team and teammates.”
When asked about how he helps lead the Oil Caps, Orr said:
“I think everyone on the team is a leader in their own way and we all have roles that we fulfill to help lead the team to a win. Whether it’s scoring goals, stopping goals, or things like keeping guys in the game if they’re not playing well, we all help in our own way.”
This season Orr billets with Ian and Elaine Glendinning. What has he enjoyed most about his time in town with the Oil Capitals?
“It’s hard to say just one thing because Virden has been very good to me,” Orr said. “It’s an awesome organization that always seems to have really great guys on the team, and on top of that the community support we get is amazing. You feel welcome from the day you get to Virden.”
One unique aspect for Orr of playing in Virden is being close to family. He grew up in Brandon.
“It’s been awesome being able to have my family come and watch my games,” Orr said. “I have lots of family in the Virden and Elkhorn area, so I am very fortunate I get to see my family lots.”
After his final junior hockey season, Orr plans to pursue a post-secondary education. He is looking into “a wide range of things from working construction to being a paramedic.”
