What’s in a name?

That is the question a 2015 Stanley Cup commercial asked its audience. It answered in a seemingly all-encompassing list. Your name is how you’re known, something that earns reputation is how you will be remembered, and so on. Jordan Tonelli, former dynasty-era Islander John Tonelli’s son, proves that list was missing a key component.

Your name can show who aided you in your journey to today.

The young Tonelli, 20, has been surrounded by hockey for practically all of his conscious life. “I’ve been playing hockey as long as I can remember which obviously can be attributed to my dad. I’m sure he had me on skates before I could walk,” said Jordan. 

With younger brother Zackary coming out of The Taft School, Uncle Ray playing in both the USHL and NCAA, and most notably father John being a key member of the dynasty era Islanders; the familial influence is practically inescapable.

According to the New York native, family was not just a factor that pulled him into hockey, but one that also motivates him. “Knowing that he [his father John] made it,” pushes him to train harder and skate faster.

Though, Jordan is sure to clarify that hockey was, “never something [he] was forced into.”

Jordan’s love of the game was greatly fostered by his father. Jordan said that “he watched all my games, he came to all of my games at Taft, came out to Cedar Rapids about once a month and always watched online when he wasn’t.”

His family did not just watch but was also there to mentor Jordan. “He’ll always be trying to give me tips and tricks, you know, about my game that can help me going forward,” Jordan said on his father.

As he is John Tonelli’s son, Jordan is very aware that his situation is wholly unique. “I’m extremely lucky to have [his help], most kids don’t have an NHL player critique their game and give them advice after every game. Jordan continued, “I listen to everything he says,” then joked, “sometimes I disagree with him a bit but, for the most part, I listen to everything he says.

In Jordan’s young career, he has two major playing credits. One being his preparatory school, The Taft School, and the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in the USHL. During his high school career, he collected 55 points over 67 total games. In Cedar Rapids, he was able to tally 26 assists and 9 goals in his 89 game career.

While playing for the RoughRiders, two families had a large influence on the then 18-year-old Tonelli: The Carlson’s and his billet family.

“They run a really tight ship,” said Jordan on the leading family of the RoughRiders. Mark Carlson serves as the President of the RoughRiders organization, General Manager of the program, and its head coach. His wife, Tammy, is the organization’s Community Outreach Director.

Jordan had nothing but positive words for the family and organization. “The Roughriders do a really good job of turning you into a man,” he said, “coach always emphasized that it’s about both on the ice and off the ice becoming a better person and a better player.”

His other family, like most junior players, was his billet family. “I lived with an amazing family for the two years… they were at every game, they supported the team a lot.”

Tonelli’s experience at Taft and with the Roughriders were made and improved by the family he was with, blood or not.

One commonality between Jordan’s Taft and RoughRiders campaigns, besides the presence of family, was his selection to be captain for both.

As expected, Jordan again credits family. “I learned this from my dad… it starts with the work ethic,” he said. “Everything with him always comes back to work ethic and the things you can control, those are two things I learned from him.”

John’s work ethic and playing ability certified him as a legend within the New York Islanders organization. During his time in the NHL, he had eight separate campaigns where he scored 60 points or more. Four of which were with the Islanders

Besides his father, another important familial tie in hockey is with his younger brother, Zackary. “My senior year, his sophomore year, we played together. We actually played together on a line [at Taft] for a bit which was really cool… We’ve got some good chemistry”

Both Jordan and his brother’s future hockey careers have taken a bit of a turn. The pair of brothers were planning on playing for Brown University this semester, but as it has hit everything else, the Coronavirus had other plans. The Ivy League would cancel their season.

Wanting to do something with this now empty time, the Tonelli brothers would travel up North to join the British Columbia Hockey League’s Vernon Vipers.

Piling onto an already frustrating time with the Coronavirus, Jordan would suffer a lower-body injury. This would knock him out of play and into a state of rehabilitation.

Once again, family is there for Jordan. “I’m staying with my grandma who lives in the area… the goal is to hopefully get fully recovered and then get back out to [British Columbia].”

Currently, this is where Jordan stands. If recovery is to go well, he will be soon playing in Vernon, British Columbia with the BCHL’s Vipers. Then, hopefully in a season upcoming, joining Brown University’s hockey program.

Your surname is not just a symbol of pride or legacy. It also can be an aiding factor in a person’s progression as a player and as a person. Family—blood or not—has been a commonality throughout Jordan Tonelli’s young career. He is John Tonelli’s son, Zack Tonelli’s brother, and a close member of both the Taft and Roughriders families. A name does not guarantee greatness, but can raise you as a person.

Feature photo taken by RoughRiders team photographer, Rick Boots

John Smark