Jake Lindstrom is learning the ropes during his first foray into junior hockey.

Since the start of the 2023-24 season, the Broomfield native has suited up in three leagues, but has found his niche with the EHL’s New York Apple Core franchise.

“I had a great training camp and start of the season with the (NAHL’s) New Jersey Titans,” said Lindstrom. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t very consistent, and things didn’t work out. I later joined the (NCDC’s) Jersey Hitmen a couple months into the season. This is where I found Lenny Caglianone, the coach of the New York Apple Core. I decided to head to New York and play for Lenny, who has helped my junior career tremendously.

“Living away from home has been a little bit of a rollercoaster moving from so many different places. Although where I’m at now has been one of the best houses I’ve stayed at.”

Lindstrom said he started playing roller hockey when he was four years old and after a couple years, made the move to the ice.

“I got into hockey because of my parents,” said Lindstrom. “It was around when the Nordiques moved to Colorado that my parents became huge fans of hockey. Neither of them knew anything about hockey growing up, although I started to watch the Avs when I was young and definitely got me into hockey.”

Growing up, Lindstrom played for the Boulder Hockey Club until he was 13 and then spent time with the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders until he was 15. For his 16U and 18U seasons, Lindstrom billeted in Connecticut and played for the Elite Hockey Academy.

“All of my coaches have played huge roles in growing me as a player,” Lindstrom said. “One coach that has stood out for me was Neil Runbeck. He was my coach during Pee Wees at Boulder and one of my favorite teams I’ve been a part of. I’ve been skating with him for around 10 years doing lessons during the season and the summer. Another coach was my 14U RoughRiders coach Matt Huckins. That was one of my most challenging years and he was a tremendous help to my hockey career.

“I definitely miss playing for BHC and the RoughRiders. I created unbelievable memories and they have helped me become the hockey player I am today.”

Moving forward, Lindstrom’s goals are reasonable and attainable.

“One of my short-term goals is ending the season with really good numbers,” said Lindstrom. “Some of my long-term goals are playing college hockey at a great school academically and hockey wise.”

Photo/Dan Hickling/Hickling Images

— Matt Mackinder

(January 30, 2024)