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OOK UP JACKSON BLAKE'S BIO, and his birthplace is listed as Fargo, N.D. But make no mistake, he's an Eden Prairie boy. "I never lived in North Dakota until I played college there," Blake said. Eden Prairie is home for Blake, a self- described homebody who grew up playing youth and high school hockey there, culminating with a coveted Minnesota state high school boys' hockey Class 2A championship in 2021. The 23-year-old winger is fresh off his second full NHL season with the Carolina Hurricanes, where he added Stanley Cup champion to his list of hockey accolades. Blake had his day with the Stanley Cup on July 30, bringing the prized trophy to Eden Prairie for a public visit at the Eden Prairie Community Center before taking it on Lake Minnetonka and then Maynard's Restaurant. "I grew up here my whole life pretty much," Blake said. "Just to do what I can to give back is what I wanted to do today." THE OVERTIME SPECIALIST The Hurricanes selected Blake 109th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. That came after a memorable season in which Blake scored the winner in double overtime for a 2-1 victory over Lakeville South in the Class 2A state title game. Fresh off that championship, Blake joined the USHL's Chicago Steel and, just like at the state tournament, scored an overtime winner to help the Steel win the 2021 USHL Clark Cup Championship. "Those are the games you want to play in," Blake said. Like his dad, retired NHL forward Jason Blake, Jackson went on to the University of North Dakota and was a 2024 Hobey Baker Memorial Award Hat Trick Finalist before suiting up for the Hurricanes. Photo / Getty Images, Rick Olson, NCHC L JACKSON BLAKE has a knack for scoring big goals, but the homebody always remembers his Eden Prairie roots b y H E AT H E R R U L E JACKSON BLAKE'S BIG MOMENTS Blake scores a first period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Four of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final. 2 Championship-winning overtime goals in 2021. Blake notched the double-OT clincher for the Eagles' state title before securing the Clark Cup for Chicago. 60 Points in 40 appearances at UND in 2023-24, a total that led the NCHC and stood fourth among all collegiate skaters. Blake and Minnetonka native K'Andre Miller soak in the Stanley Cup vibes. Stanley Cup Playoff Series- clinching overtime goal. Blake's tally early in overtime of Game 4 secured a sweep of Philadelphia and punched Carolina's ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals. 1 1 Hobey Baker Hat Trick Finalist in 2024, a top-three contender for the best player in college hockey. 4 Overtime winners while playing for the University of North Dakota. Postseason points across 19 contests during Carolina's 2026 Stanley Cup title trek, leading all Hurricanes. 20 5 Stanley Cup Final points in 6 games. Blake tallied a goal and an assist in Game 6, helping the Canes blank Vegas 3-0 to hoist the trophy. O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 | M H J O N L I N E . C O M 23 K'Andre Miller Minnetonka