Flint, Mich. – The Flint Firebirds announced today that forward Daks Klinkhammer and defenseman Matthew Jenken have committed to an Ontario Hockey League standard player agreement with the club.
“We like to officially welcome Daks and Matthew to the team,” Head Coach and General Manager Ted Dent said. “They’ve put in good work the last few weeks and we feel they are ready to make an impact with us this year.”
Klinkhammer was the Firebirds’ sixth-round selection (#113 overall) in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. He scored 13 G and 14 A in 27 GP for the Ajax/Pickering Raiders U18 team as a 16-year-old. His 27 points were tied for the 11th most in the ETAHL U18.
“This is something I’ve been working towards since I first started playing hockey,” Klinkhammer said. “It’s a dream come true.”
The 6-foot-1 181-pound left winger has spent the last three seasons with Ajax/Pickering. He scored 20 G and 12 A in 46 GP at the U15 level during the 2019-20 season. Klinkhammer will wear number 73 for Flint.
“I’m extremely excited to get going,” the Ajax, Ont. native said. “I’m looking forward to an enjoyable season this year in Flint.”
Matthew Jenken was the Firebirds’ first-round pick (#18 overall) in this past year’s 2022 U18 Priority Selection. He posted 5 G and 13 A in 32 GP for the London Jr. Knights. His 18 points were tied for fourth among defensemen at the U18 Alliance level.
“It’s a dream come true,” Jenken said. “Ever since I was a kid it was a goal of mine to play in the OHL. To commit to such a great organization and an organization that wants to win, it’s surreal. I can’t wait to get started.”
Jenken stands at 6-foot-2, 161-pounds and is a right-handed shot from the blue line. The Ilderton, Ont. native had 3 A in 30 GP for the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs at the U15 level during the 2019-20 season. He will wear number 27 for Flint.
“I expect myself to work my way into the lineup every night,” he said. “I want to be a guy the coaches can trust in any situation.”
