August 3, 2023 by Eric Friesen

The Edmonton Oilers officially hired Jeff Jackson as CEO of Hockey Operations on Thursday.

Jackson will report directly to Owner Daryl Katz and work closely with President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Ken Holland. The 58-year-old replaces Bob Nicholson, who will be staying on with the organization as Special Advisor of Hockey Operations.

After 13 years as a player agent, Jackson is eager to start his new front-office position with the Oilers.

“First of all, I just want to say I’m absolutely thrilled to be in Edmonton today to join this historic franchise,” said Jackson in his introductory press conference on Thursday. “I’ve watched this team since I was a young boy through the 1980s, and I’ve had the distinct pleasure the last eight years of watching this team very closely, with Connor being a big part of that. I’ve spent a lot of time in Edmonton and I’ve watched this team evolve. Ken has done a tremendous job building a winning culture, and I’m just very excited to join his team and try to contribute as much as I can.”

Jackson, formerly of Wasserman Hockey, has represented McDavid since 2012 when he was just 15-year-old. Judd Moldaver will now serve as McDavid’s agent with Jackson joining the Oilers. McDavid said the Oilers will benefit greatly from Jackson’s experience and connections around the league.

“Jeff and I have had a long, fruitful relationship,” McDavid tweeted on Thursday. “I have witnessed his care, relentlessness and obvious knowledge of the game and industry firsthand. I look forward to working with Jeff in his new role and am excited about what this means for the future of the Oilers.”

Related: Connor McDavid strives to be even better next season

The Dresden, Ontario native has spent his life around hockey, including more than 35 years as a player, a front-office executive and an agent. His name carries considerable weight in the hockey world, and Katz insists the hire is a big commitment to the organization’s long-term success.

“He brings tremendous industry insight, knowledge and leadership built through a unique career experience that is ideal for this leadership role,” said Katz in a statement. “He understands what it takes to build an elite organization for the modern NHL and will work closely with Ken and our whole team to put the Oilers in the best possible position to win.

Prior to his career as a player agent, Jackson was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second-round (28th overall) of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft from the Brantford Alexanders of the OHL. Jackson played parts of three OHL seasons with the Alexanders (1982-1984) and the Hamilton Steelhawks (1984), notching 58 goals and 139 points in 142 career OHL games. The 6-foot-1, 194-pound former left winger played with the Maple Leafs (1984-1987), the New York Rangers (1987), the Quebec Nordiques (1987-1991) and the Chicago Blackhawks (1991-92), tallying 38 goals and 86 points in 263 career NHL games. He helped the Blackhawks reach the 1992 Stanley Cup Final. Internationally, Jackson represented Canada at the 1985 IIHF World Junior Championship, winning gold.

After retiring from professional hockey, Jackson obtained his law degree from Western University in 1996. Jackson then practiced corporate and entertainment law with the Heenan Blaikie firm in Toronto for the next eight years. In 2006, Jackson was hired as Assistant General Manager and Director of Hockey Operations with the Maple Leafs. In 2009, Jackson was promoted to General Manager of the Toronto Marlies in the AHL. In 2010, Jackson founded Next Level Sports Management, and became a certified NHLPA agent. In 2012, Jackson became a Partner with Orr Hockey Group. In 2018, Jackson was named Executive Vice President with Wasserman Hockey.

The arrival of Jackson in Edmonton has to be viewed as a major positive for Oilers fans. While he will surely strengthen the Oilers hockey operations department, his longstanding relationship with McDavid might be his most significant resource to the organization. Ultimately, how the team performs on the ice over the next three seasons will largely dictate his decision, but the addition of Jackson only increases the likelihood that McDavid will play his entire career with the Oilers.