Jansen Harkins Bio
Jansen Michael Harkins is an American–Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays center for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 183 pounds, Harkins is a left-handed shot known for his two-way play, skating, and responsible defensive work. He was selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the second round, 47th overall, in the 2015 NHL entry draft and has since suited up for the Pittsburgh Penguins before arriving in Anaheim.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, but raised in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Harkins holds dual American and Canadian citizenship. His early hockey development came through the Canadian junior system, and he built a long professional resume across the AHL, ECHL, and NHL before establishing himself as a steady bottom-six forward.
Jansen Harkins Early Life and Background
Jansen Michael Harkins was born on May 23, 1997, in Cleveland, Ohio. Shortly after his birth, his family relocated to North Vancouver, British Columbia, where he grew up and began learning the game. The Pacific Northwest hockey community gave him early access to organized youth programs and strong coaching, shaping his development as a two-way center.
Hockey runs in the Harkins family. His father, Todd Harkins, played in the National Hockey League, which gave Jansen a clear view of the professional path from a young age. Watching his father’s career helped him understand the daily work and discipline required to reach the top level, and it pushed him to pursue the sport seriously through his teenage years.
Path to Hockey
Harkins entered the major-junior pathway when the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League (WHL) selected him second overall in the 2012 WHL bantam draft. He joined the Cougars for the 2012–13 WHL season and quickly grew into a leadership role within the program. In 2013–14, he skated in 67 games for Prince George in his first full WHL season and was named team captain for Canada Pacific at the 2014 World Hockey Challenge.
During the 2014–15 WHL season, Harkins led the Cougars in scoring with 20 goals and 59 assists in 70 regular season games, setting a new team record for assists in a single season. He was selected to play in the 2015 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game as part of Team Orr, and he earned the Dan Hamhuis Award as the most valuable player of the Prince George Cougars. The following year, he posted 24 goals and 33 assists for 57 points in 69 games, and in 2016–17 he closed his WHL career as the Cougars’ all-time leader in assists and points, with 21 goals and 51 assists in 64 games.
Internationally, Harkins represented Canada at the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, helping the team win gold. He returned to the international stage in 2015 at the IIHF World U18 Championships, where Canada took home a bronze medal.
Jansen Harkins Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
After his WHL season ended in 2016, Harkins signed an amateur tryout agreement with the Winnipeg Jets’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, on April 2, 2016. He recorded one goal and three points in six games with the Moose, providing an early glimpse of his professional upside. On April 7, 2017, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with Winnipeg and finished the 2016–17 AHL season in Manitoba.
Harkins began the 2017–18 season with the Moose but managed only two goals in 46 games, prompting a reassignment to the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen in January 2018 to help rebuild his confidence. He spent the entire 2018–19 season back with the Moose and broke through with 15 goals in 70 games, reestablishing himself as a trusted middle-six center in the organization.
Winnipeg Jets Breakthrough (2019–2023)
Harkins opened the 2019–20 season in the AHL, posting 31 points in 30 games and earning the CCM/AHL Player of the Month award for November 2019. He was named Manitoba’s most valuable player for the year and participated in the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic. On December 18, 2019, the Jets recalled him after injuries to Andrew Copp and Mathieu Perreault.
He made his NHL debut on December 21, 2019, in a 6–0 victory over the Minnesota Wild, earning his first NHL point by assisting on Logan Shaw’s third-period goal. Harkins scored his first NHL goal against Jordan Binnington in a 4–2 win over the St. Louis Blues on February 6, 2020, adding an assist on Andrew Copp’s game-winner for his first multi-point game. He appeared in three of Winnipeg’s 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs qualifying-round games and scored his first playoff goal on August 3, 2020, against Cam Talbot in a 3–2 victory over the Calgary Flames. On October 27, 2020, the Jets re-signed him to a two-year contract.
In the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, Harkins played his first game on January 18, 2021, replacing the injured Patrick Laine, and scored his only goal of the year into an empty net in a 4–2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on May 14. He made a single playoff appearance that spring, in Game 2 of the second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens, replacing the injured Paul Stastny. The 2021–22 campaign was his strongest, as he set career highs with 77 games played, 7 goals, 6 assists, and 13 points. On July 16, 2022, he re-signed with Winnipeg on a two-year deal worth $1.7 million. To start 2022–23, he was waived and, after going unclaimed, split the year between the Jets and the Moose, recording 3 goals and 5 points in 22 NHL games and 13 goals and 27 points in 44 AHL games.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2023–2024)
At the end of Winnipeg’s 2023 training camp, Harkins was placed on waivers and was claimed by the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 2, 2023. He debuted in Pittsburgh’s season opener, a 4–2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on October 10, and appeared in four games before being waived on October 19. After going unclaimed, he was assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL. Following his return, he settled in as a regular on Pittsburgh’s fourth line alongside Jeff Carter and Noel Acciari, finishing the year with 5 goals, 4 assists, and 9 points in 45 NHL games, plus 5 goals and 12 points in 14 AHL contests.
Anaheim Ducks Era (2024–Present)
After one season in Pittsburgh, Harkins left as an unrestricted free agent and signed a two-year, $1.575 million contract with the Anaheim Ducks on July 2, 2024. He was placed on waivers during Anaheim’s 2024 training camp and, after going unclaimed, was assigned to the Ducks’ AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, to open the year. The Ducks recalled him on October 18, 2024, and he made his Anaheim debut that night against the Colorado Avalanche before being returned to San Diego. He received a second recall on November 13, 2024, alongside defenseman Drew Helleson, and has since split time between the NHL roster and the Gulls.
Driving Style and Strengths
Harkins is best described as a reliable two-way center whose game leans on skating, hockey sense, and defensive responsibility. He wins faceoffs at a steady rate, supports his wingers along the boards, and thrives in a bottom-six role that emphasizes matchups and penalty killing. Coaches have valued his willingness to play through the middle of the ice, take key defensive-zone draws, and bring pace to forechecking lines.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career highlights, Harkins set the Prince George Cougars’ all-time assists and points records during his WHL tenure, won gold with Canada at the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, and earned a bronze medal at the 2015 IIHF World U18 Championships. In the NHL, he made his debut with the Jets in 2019, scored his first goal against St. Louis in 2020, and later transitioned through Pittsburgh before landing with Anaheim.
Jansen Harkins Career Wins
Harkins’ professional résumé features steady contributions rather than major individual trophies, with consistent production across junior, AHL, ECHL, and NHL rosters. He has been recognized as a leader at every level, including serving as Prince George’s most valuable player and Manitoba Moose MVP during the 2019–20 season.
Junior and Amateur Highlights
With the Prince George Cougars, Harkins set a single-season team record for assists in 2014–15 and finished his WHL career as the franchise’s all-time leader in both assists and points. He represented Canada at the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, winning gold, and added a bronze at the 2015 IIHF World U18 Championships.
Professional Achievements
In the AHL, Harkins was named Manitoba’s most valuable player for 2019–20, participated in the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic, and earned CCM/AHL Player of the Month honors in November 2019. He has continued to provide dependable two-way play at the NHL level with the Winnipeg Jets, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Anaheim Ducks.
Jansen Harkins Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Hockey has long been central to the Harkins family. His father, Todd Harkins, is a former National Hockey League player whose career offered Jansen an inside look at the demands of professional hockey. Growing up around the sport in North Vancouver helped shape Jansen’s path and gave him a strong support system as he moved through junior and professional hockey.
Personal Life
Jansen Harkins was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but was raised in North Vancouver, British Columbia, and holds dual American and Canadian citizenship. He continues his professional career in the NHL while maintaining ties to both countries.
2025 Season Performance
Harkins entered the 2025 campaign looking to solidify a full-time role with the Anaheim Ducks after splitting the early part of the previous year between Anaheim and the San Diego Gulls. His versatility as a left-shot center and his penalty-killing experience made him a candidate to compete for a bottom-six opening.
Through the early months of the season, Harkins has continued to move between Anaheim and San Diego as the Ducks manage roster flexibility. When recalled, he has provided energy on the fourth line, contributed on the penalty kill, and given the coaching staff a dependable faceoff option. His play in the AHL has remained productive, keeping him firmly within the organization’s plans.
Looking ahead, Harkins’ contract with Anaheim runs through 2026, giving him stability to keep earning a regular NHL spot. Continued strong two-way play, a steady defensive presence, and effective special teams work should keep him in the mix for a consistent role with the Ducks as the 2025 season progresses.
