The Rise of Jackson Blake.

Jackson Blake: Analyzing His Rise Under Rod Brind’Amour

Jackson Blake’s shift from a standout at the University of North Dakota to a top-six forward for the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2024-25 season is worth a closer look. He’s the son of Jason Blake, a former NHL forward who notched 213 goals and 486 points in 891 games, including a 40-goal season in 2006-07 with the Islanders. Under Rod Brind’Amour, a coach known for keeping rookies on a short leash, Jackson Blake has earned a bigger role alongside Sebastian Aho, showing off his scoring ability, defensive play, and work ethic. Picked 109th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, his path sheds light on breaking through a system that leans hard on veterans, and it’s got fantasy hockey implications for dynasty and redraft leagues.

Ice Time Breakdown Under Brind’Amour

Rod Brind’Amour doesn’t typically give rookies much room to breathe. Seth Jarvis averaged 13:49 per game in his 2021-22 rookie year, Martin Necas got 9:58 across seven games in 2018-19 before heading to the AHL, and Andrei Svechnikov, a second-overall pick, started at 13:02 in 2018-19. Blake began this season at 12 to 13 minutes a night, right in line with that trend. By March 31, 2025, he’s up to 15 to 17 minutes, often next to Aho, a clear sign of trust. When Brind’Amour likes a player, he uses them, and Blake’s minutes prove he’s in that category.

Compared to other 2024-25 rookies, Blake holds his own. Macklin Celebrini in San Jose averages 19:45 with 17 goals, Matvei Michkov in Philly gets 14:00 and has 15 goals, Cutter Gauthier in Anaheim logs 15:00 with 8 goals, and Will Smith, also in San Jose, averages 14:30 with 7 goals. Blake’s at 12 goals and 15 to 17 minutes as of March 31, third among rookies in scoring, and he’s doing it on a deeper Hurricanes roster, not a rebuilding one.

What He Brings

Blake put up 60 points in 40 games at North Dakota in 2022-23, a sign he could score and set up plays. In the NHL, he’s on track for about 25 goals and 50 points, with 12 goals by late March, trailing only Celebrini and Michkov. He’s got a quick shot and good instincts, but what stands out is how he fits Brind’Amour’s system—backchecking, battling for pucks, handling the dirty work. That’s why his ice time’s gone up, and why he’s sticking in the top-six.

Photo Credit Nick Nelson / Grand Forks Herald

Fantasy Hockey Angle

In dynasty leagues, Blake’s a solid grab—21 years old, putting up numbers, and playing with Aho, who’s a point-per-game guy. That’s a recipe for long-term value. For redraft leagues in 2025-26, he’s a mid-round target, potentially hitting 60 points if he keeps his spot and gets power-play time. Brind’Amour’s faith in him locks in his worth moving forward. In this video you can see him off the rush, and you can see Rod trusting him in OT. https://youtu.be/a7DRJVvGn50?si=56Y7GRCDqRBjruo0

Jackson Blake’s gone from a college player to a Hurricanes regular, beating the odds under a coach who’s tough on rookies. His 12 goals and third-place rookie ranking, paired with 15 to 17 minutes on a contending team, show he’s got the goods. For fantasy players or anyone tracking the Canes, he’s a name that’s sticking around.