A slow start to the year was not in the cards for Jacksonville Icemen forward Brendan Harris. The Icemen forward has been performing at career-best levels since the start of the Icemen’s 2023-24 campaign, racking up 37 points through the first half of the season.
This year, his voracious start earned him the honors of being the sole Icemen representative at the 2024 ECHL All-Star Classic. It was Harris’ first time at the ECHL All-Star event after he joined the Icemen roster shortly after the team hosted the event in 2022.
Photo credit: Andrew Fielder for Inside The Rink
“It’s an honor, and It’s been a lot of fun. I’m really humbled that they chose me to represent them,” said Harris.
Brendan Harris has been electric this season, lighting the lamp 11 times and contributing 26 assists to the team’s scoring efforts. It’s a clip over a point-per-game pace that doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. Last season, the Icemen forward ended the year with 49 points – a new career best. With still half the season remaining, Harris just needs 13 points to out-score his previous record.
When asked about the success he’s had, Harris credits the chemistry he’s been able to build with the returning faces of the Icemen’s core group.
“I think just the chemistry from last year overlapped with this year. Just the familiarity with each other’s play. I’m really fortunate for them,” said Harris.
While team chemistry certainly plays a factor, Harris’ speed is what makes him a reliable offensive weapon for Jacksonville. His ability to move the puck quickly and create high-danger chances for himself and his teammates has led to his scoring success this season.
On Monday, the Icemen speedster got a chance to put his wheels on display for the league to see, participating in the fastest skater skills competition. His most pressing concern with the competition?
“I was terrified out there. I just didn’t want to fall.”
“I just wanted to get it done with; it was nerve-wracking! The guy in front of me fell, and I was like, alright, you’re not going full speed,” said Harris in between laughs.
Thankfully, Harris didn’t lose his footing during his lap. He posted a 13.38 time, finishing fourth in the contest. His time wasn’t much slower than the winner’s 12.95, but it was still a faster lap than the two previous winners of the NHL’s fastest skater competition. Andrei Svechnikov of the Carolina Hurricanes posted a 13.69 time in the NHL’s fastest skater challenge last year.
As terrifying as that fastest skater lap may have been, it didn’t stop Harris from enjoying his time representing Jacksonville at the league’s All-Star event. In addition to showcasing his skills, the Icemen all-star got a chance to reunite with familiar faces on the rosters of both teams.
Photo Credit: Andrew Fielder for Inside The Rink
“I was in a wedding this summer with one of my best childhood friends, and Jack Dugan of the Fort Wayne Komets was there. So it was good to reunite with him.”
“There’s a Bemidji state kid that I played with on Savannah, so it was really good to be reunited with him as well,” said Harris.
Posting two assists in the Jan. 12 win over the South Carolina Stingrays at home; Harris was held scoreless in the two games that led up to his All-Star appearance on Jan. 13 and 14, an uncommon occurrence for the Icemen star this season. The script was different in Monday’s All-Star game, seeing the forward post a pair of assists while in the league’s spotlight.
Now, heading into the second half of the season, Harris is looking to have a strong finish with the Jacksonville Icemen. The team, currently third in the division and fourth in the conference, has narrowly squeaked out a .500 record.
Currently 19-14-3, Jacksonville has struggled to put together meaningful wins on home ice. The powerplay has also seen its fair share of troubles, narrowly finding its way into the ECHL’s top 10 with a powerplay conversion rate of 22.3%.
By no means is the season a lost cause for Jacksonville, but the 36 games remaining will be a test of the team’s fortitude. When asked what the next steps for the team are for the team down the line, Harris gives a dialed in response, “Take a deep breath. We still have 36 games left.”
“Take it day by day, don’t look too far into the future, and control what we can control.”
