Docs Menu

Johnathan Aitken

Born:May 24, 1978Draft: 1996 Bruins, 8th Overall
Hometown:Edmonton, AlbertaPosition:Defense
Known For:AHL Calder Cup ChampionShoots:Left
National Team:CanadaCurrent Status:Innisfail Eagles (RHL)

Jonathan Aitken (born May 24, 1978) is a former Canadian ice hockey player, having played his final year in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2003-2004 season. Drafted 8th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft, Aitken returned to the Western Hockey League (WHL) to play two more seasons with the Brandon Wheat Kings before turning pro. In his rookie season with the Providence Bruins, Aitken registered two goals and 11 points in 65 games. He made his NHL debut during the 1999-2000 season, appearing in three games and finishing with a minus-3 rating before being sent back down to the AHL. After a second disappointing season in Providence, and one goal in 11 playoff games, Aitken departed to the Czechia league.

In 24 games with HC Sparta Praha, he managed just three assists and 87 penalty minutes before making his return to North America. He signed with the Blackhawks, but was quickly relegated to the AHL to play for the Norfolk Admirals. By then, his play regressed significantly enough that he was demoted to the ECHL. In 2003-04, Aitken bounced back to play 41 games with the Blackhawks, but registered just one assist and 70 penalty minutes. It was his final taste of the NHL, as he played in two more seasons with two different AHL clubs before taking his talents overseas.

Aitken joined the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga (EBEL) to play for EC-KAC. He registered 13 points and a whopping 157 penalty minutes in 34 games. He returned to North America the following year to play in the Chinook Hockey League, dressing in five games for Ft. Saskatchewan McEwen Chiefs. He briefly retired from the sport in 2008 but made his return to the Chinook HL in 2015 to play another two years. Since 2017, Aitken has made two short comebacks with the Innisfail Eagles of the Chinook HL.

Jonathan Aitken Statistics

Deeper Dive

Staff History

  • Fort Saskatchewan Rang. U18 AAA, AMHL (Assistant Coach) 2017-2018
  • Cold Lake Wings, WSHL (General Manager) 2018-2019
  • Cold Lake Wings, WSHL (Head Coach) 2018-2019

Achievements

  • WHL (East) Second All-Star Team (1998)
  • AHL Calder Cup Champion (1999)
  • Czech Extraliga Silver Medal (2001)

Sources