For Jackson Smail, his first career QMJHL goal is one that he’ll never forget. “Been waiting for the first one,” he says, “It’s just so nice to get it, especially with my family being there and for them to all see it. “It’s just so special.” The Halifax Mooseheads rookie forward found the back of the net in a game at Sherbrooke, Que.; the closest Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) city to Smail’s family in Vermont. “We had this one circled for sure,” says his father, Jeremy. “We sent the memo out to a bunch of friends and family, hoping that as many people as possible could join us.” Sure enough, about 20 of them – from childhood hockey friends, to his brother, and grandparents – packed up and hit the road for Sunday’s game. Thirteen games into his QMJHL career, head coach Brad MacKenzie says the rookie has been “snake-bitten,” but is adjusting well to the league, so it’s nice to see him score his first. “It’s huge, especially a guy like… he’s coming from a place where he was used to scoring goals – and I think sometimes you grip the stick a little tight when you have chances that aren’t going in for you,” MacKenzie says in an interview. “I think it was a nice little relief for him, and pretty special, too; he scored in front of probably about 20 family members.” And it just so happened that they were seated right by the net when it happened. Smail knew some family and friends would be there, but he didn’t realize how many – or where they were sitting. But he realized just in time. “I didn’t know that they were sitting there until after I scored and then I realized they’re right there,” he tells CTV News. “I just thought it was so cool. It’s just like a dream come true type of thing, just so happy to finally score.” “I had tears in my eyes,” his father says. “My close working buddy was with me. He had tears, too. “It’s just a whirlwind of emotions. It was just beautiful, it was an amazing moment.” Clearly for Smail’s father, the excitement of that moment won’t ever be forgotten. “It’s still kind of a blur, there was so much excitement,” he says. “Just so happy for him. I’ve talked to him quite a bit on the phone, and he’s been wanting to put some points up and score.” But the rookie credits his family for his hockey journey. “They’ve meant so much my whole life, just driving me everywhere, paying for everything, it’s just been so huge,” he says. “They’ve always been such a support system to me; always just trying to help me out with whatever I need. “Them being there for me, it’s just something they would do -- they’re always there for me -- and so it just feels so good to do it in front of them.” For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
