Jacob Friend ventured across the pond in 2023 and defended in Europe for two seasons. Now he’s lacing up his skates again in his native Canada.
In his junior year, Friend played together with current Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki, but also with VSV crack Kevin Hancock. After two years at university, he made his debut in the East Coast Hockey League in 2020. In 2023 he moved to North America, where he played in the EIHL for the Belfast Giants.
In the summer, the defender ended up with the Pioneers Vorarlberg, for whom he played 24 games. He was able to collect four scorer points. He finished the season in the DEL2, in the dress of the Dresden Ice Lions.
The European adventure is now temporarily over, Friend will play for the Deseronto Bulldogs in the current season. The Canadian team competes in the Northern Premier Hockey League, a “competitive amateur and senior-level” league.
Image: Manuel Mackinger – EC Red Bull Salzburg
