Tiger Track Exclusive Interview with Tim Jackman

Coming off the heels of his new one-year contract extension, I had the privilege to talk with Islanders forward Tim Jackman for a few minutes, to discuss his new deal and his experiences with the New York Islanders and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the 2007-08 season.

Tom Liodice: First of all, congratulations on the new deal.

Tim Jackman: Thank you very much, Tom.

Liodice: Could you talk a little bit on what the new contract means to you?

Jackman: Well it's a good feeling to know that I'm going to stay with the same organization that I was with last year and to get another opportunity to come back and play with the Islanders again next year.

Liodice: Can you describe your experience with the Islanders and your time on Long Island so far?

Jackman: It's been a great experience and I'm enjoying my time up there. This is where I want to play right now. I think they have a good group of guys up there and a good coaching staff and I think they're on the right path to have a lot of success. It's a great organization and I'm proud to be a part of it.

Liodice: Now you started the 07-08 season in Bridgeport with the Sound Tigers and you got the call from the Islanders about a month later. Did you expect a call that quickly?

Jackman: No, not at all. I wasn't sure what was going to happen when someone got hurt and I was just trying to be prepared that it was me, and thankfully it was. I was just thankful to get the chance.

Liodice: I would imagine that it would be a surprise! Your first game with the Islanders was against the Rangers. What was it like to be thrusted into that kind of rivalry so quickly?

Jackman: It was really exciting. It was a good atmosphere with a sold out crowd. The fans were into it and I think we ended up winning that game. It was just a great experience and a lot of fun.

Liodice: You ended up going back and forth a lot this year, especially late in the season when you were part of the "Taxi Squad" with Matthew Spiller and Steve Regier. Can you describe that experience and how much of a physical toll did that take on you?

Jackman: It was a physical toll because we were trying to make the playoffs down in Bridgeport, and guys were getting hurt up on the Island. But even though it took a toll on me physically, you always wanted to be that guy that got called up. You would've been happy if it were somebody else, but you really want that call to be you. So as hard as it was playing - I think it was six games in six days, it was well worth it. I got to go to some great cities like Montreal and Florida, so it was a great experience. But it was too bad we didn't make the playoffs down there in Bridgeport.

Liodice: Have you ever seen that happen with a team before where you had to play that many games in that many nights?

Jackman: No, I've never seen that before. That was a whole new experience for me and a lot of guys I think. There's a lot of times an American Hockey team isn't as close to the parent team, but here it worked out.

Liodice: And with the different situations that both teams were in - Bridgeport in the playoff race, and the Islanders focusing on giving many young guys playing time - how did you adjust getting ready for a game in those different situations?

Jackman: You just got to prepare the same way you do for every game. I think my role down in the minors is a little different than up in the Island. With the Islanders my role is a fourth-line guy that's trying to bring some energy, but with Bridgeport I was getting more powerplay and penalty-kill time and getting a little more ice time and with that I had to try and contribute on the scoresheet a little more. That's one difference, but you just got to try, prepare and get mentally ready for each game the same.

Liodice: Now with going back and forth, it certainly seemed like the coaching staff and Coach Nolan put a lot of confidence in you. What does that do to you as a player?

Jackman: It makes you feel real good and to see some of your hard work pay off when someone notices it like Ted Nolan does, and starts to give you a little more ice time and have confidence in you, it's a good feeling, especially coming from Ted. It makes you want to work hard, and get back out on the ice and do it for him again.

Liodice: Finally, any goals for the new season with the new contract?

Jackman: Yeah, my goal is to play as many NHL games as I can and just continue to become a better hockey player and a better person off the ice.

Liodice: Thanks for giving me a few minutes of your time, Tim. Best of luck next season.

Jackman: Thanks so much!