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Conversation with: Jared Abbott of the Elmira Jackals

Joe Mink | @SGJoeMink
  • Jared Abbott is the assistant general manager of hockey operations for the Elmira Jackals
  • Abbott is the team's play-by-play radio broadcaster and also handles media relations
  • Abbott attended Penn State University and was the play-by-play broadcaster for the men's hockey team
  • Abbott played hockey in high school and continued with a club team at Penn State

In just his second year with the Elmira Jackals, Jared Abbott has assumed the responsibility of assistant general manager of hockey operations.

Abbott, 23, works closely with first-year Jackals head coach Jamie Russell on daily hockey operations and player relations. He is also the Jackals play-by-play broadcaster and handles media and public relations, along with corporate sales.

In his first year with the Jackals, the Flemington, N.J., native was a post-graduate communications intern, helping with broadcasting and media responsibilities.

Abbott, who is single, attended Penn State University and was the play-by-play broadcaster for Nittany Lions men's ice hockey. He also announced women's hockey while there.

Question: How did you end up in Elmira with the Jackals?

Answer: After graduating from Penn State, it wanted to go into working with a professional ice hockey team. I looked at opportunities in the various leagues at the time. Ray Schmitt, the Jackals broadcaster, was also a Penn Stater, and he got in touch with me. We were in similar groups and activities there, so I felt comfortable coming up working with him, learning about the area and the team. With the new ownership and the direction the team was headed, it looked like a golden opportunity.

Q: What is it like working for the Jackals?

A: It's wonderful. It's a terrific, top-notch organization from top to bottom. Nate Cook, Tom Freeman, Shona Freeman, Jamie Russell, they're phenomenal. I really enjoy working here, it's a dream come true. It's a wonderful area to work in and an exciting place to play. There is so much hockey in the area. I've seen so many changes here. It's a top-notch facility and a top-notch organization.

Q: What is your typical workday like?

A: It depends on the day. Things change from day to day. I like to keep a routine, get in early and get a jump on emails, check on news from the ECHL and other pro hockey leagues, as well as the junior leagues to keep up with player development. Jamie and I get together every day to talk about players. We have a tremendous line of communication. I take care of league forms, anything relating to the ECHL office, to make sure we're on top of things. The league has strict deadlines. And anything player related, I come over and watch practice, talk to some of the guys to see how they're doing and gauge morale level. A big thing is keeping everyone upbeat and positive and making them feel comfortable.

Q: What do you like to do on your off days?

A: I don't have much free time. When I'm away I usually go to the arena and lace them up. I like to get on the ice, my playing days aren't that far behind me. If I'm not on the ice, I'm spending time relaxing a little bit and taking in some other hockey games. I usually watch games from other leagues, watch guys playing in juniors. I keep it focused on hockey.

Q: What sports did you play in high school and college?

A: I grew up playing hockey and baseball, also wrestling when I was young. Wrestling and hockey are done at the same time of the year, so in high school I focused on hockey. My first year in high school, I played football. When I was a senior in high school, I played for a junior (hockey) team to face better competition. Then I went to Penn State. They didn't have an NCAA program at the time, so I played club hockey there. Then I got more into the media and management side of things looking toward a career. I got to work with (Penn State men's hockey coach) Guy Gadowsky, who has one of the great hockey minds.

Q: Which NHL team is your favorite?

A: I grew up a Philadelphia Flyers fan. Now I focus most of my attention on the Buffalo Sabres because of their trickle-down effect on the (Jackals') organization.

Q: What is your all-time personal hockey highlight?

A: What sticks in my mind, back in high school (Hunterdon Central Regional High), it was a newer program. It started before I got there, but it hadn't been around too many years. We'd never won a playoff game in our careers. In high school, we played our first playoff game on this partial outdoor rink. It had a roof, but it reminded me of playing on a pond. It was a fun game. I had two goals and an assist, and in the end we went to overtime. Off the opening faceoff I took a good feed through the middle from my linemate, beat the goalie and buried the game-winner seconds into overtime. To see all the guys rushing off the bench in jubilation was a great moment in my career.

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