Prospect Update: Jack Badini

Photo: Matt Bonaparte

By Thomas Harrington

A third-round pick from 2017, Jack Badini has spent the last two years playing at Harvard University.

Badini played in 33 games as a sophomore, scoring eight goals and 20 points. His 20 points were seventh on the team, his 12 assists were sixth, and his eight goals were fifth. He had three multi-point games this past season, including a career-high three points where he recorded two goals and an assist in late January. As a result of that three-point night, Badini was named the ECAC Hockey Player of the Week on January 28th.  He scored three powerplay goals, as well as one game-winner. He was also one of the top faceoff men in the NCAA, winning 66% of the faceoffs he took.

Unfortunately, Badini didn’t quite hit the expectations that I had set for him last summer. He scored 10 goals and 17 points as a freshman; I had wanted him to increase his goal scoring to 15+ goals, and 30 points. Badini did increase his point total by three, and his assist total by five, but his goal production dropped by two. So he didn’t hit the offensive numbers I was hoping for, but he did increase his overall offensive numbers. I am happy to see him hit the 20 point mark, however. I also wanted Badini to be one of Harvard’s top scorers, especially with Ryan Donato turning pro. Badini’s offensive production wasn’t enough to replace Donato’s but he certainly was one of Harvard’s better offensive producers. So he didn’t fully hit that expectation, he did at least fulfill some of it.

Want free tickets to a Ducks game next season? Become a DucksNPucks Patron!

This coming season, Badini will be returning to Harvard for his junior season. As an upperclassman, more will be expected of him, not just in his offensive production, but in his on-ice leadership as well. While he didn’t hit the 15 goal and 30 point marks in his sophomore season, I’m hoping that he can as a junior. In college hockey, it’s usually upperclassmen who get better minutes at both even strength and on the powerplay, except in cases when a freshman or sophomore is a top NHL prospect. Harvard will be losing a number of players to graduation, as well as Adam Fox, since he’s signed an entry-level deal and will be turning pro with the New York Rangers this coming season. Beyond the offensive numbers, I’d love to see him be named one of the alternate captains of the team.

Badini is currently unsigned, and he’ll remain that way until the Ducks feel he is ready to turn pro. He’s clearly not there quite yet, but he could be a year from now, especially if he can have a big junior season. Recently, the Ducks have let their NCAA prospects develop in the college ranks for several years before signing them to their entry-level contracts. Troy Terry, Kevin Roy, and Andy Welinski played a combined 11 seasons of college hockey before signing their first pro contracts. Even though Roy and Welinski both moved on as free agents this summer, the extra time they got in college helped them become the players that they are today. Badini already has two years of college hockey under his belt, and he’ll get at least three if not four.

With Badini at least a year or two away from signing his first pro deal, he’s also a number of years away from making his way to the NHL. Once he signs a deal, I think that Badini will get at least a year in the AHL before he makes his way to Anaheim. If he signs his pro deal following this coming season, I think he’ll get his first shot at the NHL in two years. If he doesn’t sign it until his senior season is over, then it won’t be for another three or four years.

The next prospect update will be on Antoine Morand.

Related Articles

Prospect Update: Alex Dostie 

Prospect Profile: Olle Eriksson Ek

Prospect Profile: Deven Sideroff

Prospect Profile: Josh Mahura

Prospect Profile: Sam Benoit

Become A DucksNPucks Patron!

If you enjoy our website, then consider supporting us at www.patreon.com/DucksNPucks.

Want to start your sports media career? Then Join The Puck Network!

DucksNPucks is part of The Puck Network, which covers the entire NHL. There are openings to cover your favorite team(s) and earn school credits! If you are interested, then apply by filling out the form here: Join Our Team. What are you waiting for? Start your sports media career TODAY!

July 30th, 2019