Chris Jandric Bio
Chris Jandric is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for ERC Ingolstadt of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Born on October 3, 1998, in Prince George, British Columbia, he is a former first team All-NCHC selection as a member of the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks. After beginning his professional career in 2023, Jandric competed in the American Hockey League and the ECHL, winning the Kelly Cup with the Trois-Rivières Lions in 2025 before signing his first contract overseas with ERC Ingolstadt.
Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds, Jandric shoots left and serves as a defenceman. He is recognized for his skating, agility, and ability to drive play from the back end, qualities that have defined his development from junior hockey to the professional ranks in North America and Europe.
Early Life and Background
Chris Jandric was born and raised in Prince George, British Columbia, a city in central British Columbia known for its strong minor hockey tradition. Growing up in the region, he was introduced to hockey at a young age and spent his formative years developing in the local youth system.
In his youth, Jandric typically played as a forward, like his older brother Steven. Around the age of 10, he changed positions to become a defenseman, reasoning that his skating skills were strong enough to handle the role and that it would be easier to make rosters on the blue line. In addition to playing hockey, he also played tennis during his time in high school. Jandric later returned to Prince George in the offseason to train at a local CrossFit gym, where he focused on building the strength and conditioning required for higher-level competition.
Path to Hockey
Jandric played minor hockey for the Cariboo Cougars of the BC Hockey Major Midget League from 2014 to 2016. During that time, he was briefly a teammate of future NHL forward Dylan Cozens. After completing his time in the midget program, Jandric moved on to the Vernon Vipers of the British Columbia Hockey League, a major junior development league that has produced numerous NCAA and professional players.
Following his stint with the Vipers, Jandric committed, along with his brother Steven, to the University of Alaska Fairbanks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. His time at UAF marked his entry into U.S. college hockey and laid the foundation for the next stage of his career.
Chris Jandric Career
Early Career (2018–2023)
Jandric began his collegiate career with the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he quickly made an impact. In 2019, his freshman season, he was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team, and he went on to appear in 63 total games for the Nanooks. When UAF opted out of the 2020–21 season due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Jandric took the year off to focus on physical development before transferring to the University of North Dakota.
At North Dakota, Jandric joined the Fighting Hawks and described the move as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, with the stated goal of winning the NCAA ice hockey championship. Over two seasons with UND, he appeared in 77 games, tallying five goals and 48 points. He led the team’s power play unit, which produced the second-highest scoring rate in the nation, and he personally led the team in plus-minus with a plus-16 differential. In 2023, he was selected to the All-NCHC First Team as well as the Academic All-NCHC Team.
Professional Breakthrough (2023–2025)
On March 27, 2023, Jandric signed a two-year contract with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League on a professional tryout for the remainder of the 2022–23 season. He recorded an assist in his AHL debut against the Utica Comets. Later that year, he was among 35 players invited to the Buffalo Sabres Development Camp, took part in the team’s Prospect Challenge Tournament, and was briefly invited to NHL training camp before being released to attend Rochester’s camp.
On October 9, 2023, Jandric was assigned to the Jacksonville Icemen, the ECHL affiliate of both the Sabres and the Americans. He recorded his first ECHL point with an assist on the Icemen’s first goal of the season. After two assists in six games, he was recalled to Rochester on November 6, 2023, and played seven games before being reassigned to Jacksonville on December 29. With the Icemen, Jandric scored his first professional goal on January 3, 2024, and added a game-winning overtime goal three days later.
Trois-Rivières Lions Era (2024–2025)
On January 11, 2024, Jandric was traded to the Laval Rocket in exchange for defenseman Noah Laaouan and was assigned to the Trois-Rivières Lions of the ECHL. He recorded three assists in six games with the Lions before being recalled to the Rocket on February 1, then reassigned without appearing in a game. He was recalled again on February 7 and made his Rocket debut against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on February 17, filling in for an injured Mattias Norlinder, before returning to Trois-Rivières on March 18.
Spending the majority of the 2024–25 season with Trois-Rivières, Jandric was suspended for one game after receiving a match penalty for cross-checking in a January 18, 2025 game against the Norfolk Admirals. He was later named to the ECHL Midseason All-Star Team. Finishing the season at nearly a point-per-game pace, he played a leading role as the Lions captured their first Kelly Cup, scoring the championship-clinching goal in a 4–1 game five victory.
ERC Ingolstadt Era (2025–Present)
In July 2025, Jandric signed his first contract overseas, agreeing to a one-year deal with ERC Ingolstadt of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, the top professional league in Germany. The move marked his transition from North American minor professional hockey to elite European competition, giving him a new platform to showcase his skating and puck-moving abilities.
Joining a respected DEL franchise, Jandric entered the European game during the 2025–26 season with the aim of building on his championship form from Trois-Rivières. His transition to the larger international ice surface and different playing style represents a significant new chapter in his career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jandric is widely regarded for his high-end and elite skating and agility, traits that have been highlighted by his coaches throughout his development. At North Dakota, he quarterbacked one of the most productive power plays in college hockey and led his team in plus-minus, reflecting his two-way reliability. His mobility and composure with the puck allow him to contribute offensively while remaining dependable in his own zone, and his training background in strength and conditioning has helped him compete physically at every level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of Jandric’s career was scoring the championship-clinching goal for the Trois-Rivières Lions in their 2025 Kelly Cup victory, the franchise’s first title. Earlier milestones included his first professional goal with the Jacksonville Icemen on January 3, 2024, his overtime game-winner three days later, and his selection to the All-NCHC First Team in 2023 while at the University of North Dakota.
Chris Jandric Career Wins
Chris Jandric’s most significant professional victory came in 2025, when he helped the Trois-Rivières Lions capture the Kelly Cup, the championship trophy of the ECHL. He sealed the title with a goal in game five, capping a postseason run in which he served as one of the team’s most reliable performers. Earlier in his development, he earned WCHA All-Rookie Team honors in 2019 and All-NCHC First Team recognition in 2023, achievements that underscored his steady growth as a college defenseman.
Trois-Rivières Lions Highlights
With the Trois-Rivières Lions, Jandric spent the bulk of the 2024–25 season and played a central role in the team’s historic Kelly Cup run. He finished the regular season at nearly a point-per-game pace, was named to the ECHL Midseason All-Star Team, and delivered the championship-winning goal in the deciding game of the finals. He also recorded three assists in his initial six-game stretch with the club following his midseason trade from the Laval Rocket.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his Kelly Cup triumph, Jandric posted several notable performances in the AHL and ECHL. He recorded an assist in his AHL debut with the Rochester Americans, scored his first professional goal with the Jacksonville Icemen, and notched a game-winning overtime goal three days later. His selection to both the All-NCHC First Team and the Academic All-NCHC Team in 2023 also stands as a defining individual achievement in his playing career.
Chris Jandric Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hockey runs deep in the Jandric family. Chris’s older brother, Steven, is also a professional hockey player and has played in Finland for Lukko. The brothers grew up playing hockey together in Prince George, with both initially playing forward before Chris transitioned to defense. Their shared path eventually led them to commit together to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where both played collegiate hockey.
Personal Life
Jandric has pursued his education alongside his hockey career. While attending the University of Alaska Fairbanks, he earned a degree in business, and during his time at the University of North Dakota, he worked toward a graduate degree in public administration. Known for his commitment to off-ice training, he spent summers back in Prince George working out at a CrossFit gym to prepare for the demands of higher-level competition.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 season marked the most successful campaign of Chris Jandric’s professional career to date. Spending the majority of the year with the Trois-Rivières Lions of the ECHL, he produced at nearly a point-per-game pace and was named to the league’s Midseason All-Star Team. He was also briefly suspended for one game after receiving a match penalty in a January 18, 2025 contest against the Norfolk Admirals, though he quickly returned to his productive form.
Jandric’s strongest stretch came in the playoffs, where he played an instrumental role in the Lions’ run to their first Kelly Cup championship. He delivered the title-winning goal in a 4–1 victory in game five, sealing a memorable postseason for both the club and himself.
Building on that momentum, Jandric signed his first contract overseas in July 2025, joining ERC Ingolstadt of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. The 2025–26 DEL season represents a new chapter in his career, giving him the opportunity to test himself in one of Europe’s top professional leagues while continuing to develop as a two-way defenseman.