The Wheeling Nailers announced today forward David Jankowski will return to Wheeling for his third season with the Nailers as they have re-signed him for the 2024-25 season. Jankowski is the third player to sign with the Nailers, as they have brought back Louie Roehl and 2023-24 Unsung Hero Award winner Matt Koopman.
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Jankowski had a solid season for the Nailers in just his first full year of professional hockey in the 2023-24 season. Jankowski played 69 games, notching 11 goals and 26 assists during the regular season. During the Nailer’s 2024 Kelly Cup Playoff run, Jankowski played seven of the Nailer’s nine games, scoring one goal and collecting three assists. Jankowski quickly made an impact in the ECHL as he would get that opportunity to start his pro hockey career with the Nailers toward the end of the 2022-23 season. He played seven games where he banged home three goals and picked up three assists. Jankowski played a big role in the Nailers, having a powerplay percentage of over 20%. Jankowski had five tucks on the powerplay and 13 total points with a man advantage. His five goals had him tied for second among the team and his 13 points had him tied for fourth most on the team.
Jankowski started his junior hockey career out in the British Columbia Hockey League with the Chilliwack Chiefs for the 2016-17 season. With the Chiefs, the Dundas, ON, CAN native played seven games where he notched one goal and three assists. He would later be moved to the Hawkesbury Hawks in the Central Canada Hockey League and find his game. He appeared in 40 regular season games for the Hawks, scoring 20 goals and adding on 21 assists. Through six playoff games, he would score three goals and added on two assists. The following season, Jankowski returned to the Hawks, this time as Captain of the team. He continued his hot play as he tallied an impressive 90 points (38g-52a) in 60 games during the regular season. That year, Jankowski led the CCHL in goals and points. He would be named to the CCHL All-Graduate Team, CCHL First All-Star Team, named CCHL Most Valuable Player, CCHL Outstanding Graduating Player, and be awarded with the CCHL Sportsmanship Award.
Jankowski would commit to St. Lawrence University beginning with the 2018-19 season. He would go on to play 110 games in four years, being named Captain his senior year, and tally 53 points (20g-33a). Jankowski helped the Saints to an Eastern Conference Athletic Conference Championship and was named ECAC tournament MVP. He transferred to Michigan Tech for his graduate year and played 28 games for the Huskies. He notched four goals and five assists in his only season in Michigan. Having a very solid first full season in the ECHL, Jankowski is due to breakthrough more this season. He has shown he has the style of play to be an impactful player, whether it be 5-on-5 or on the powerplay.
