Jayson Megna

Jayson Megna
Born	(1990-02-01) February 1, 1990 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
Occupation	Professional ice hockey forward
Known for	Captain of the Colorado Eagles (AHL)

Jayson Megna (born February 1, 1990) is a professional American ice hockey forward currently captaining the Colorado Eagles in the American Hockey League (AHL). Originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, he was raised in Northbrook, Illinois and began playing hockey at the age of seven.

Amateur

In 2003, Megna participated in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament representing the Chicago Young Americans minor hockey team. His high school hockey career included time at Glenbrook North High School and Tabor Academy, Massachusetts. After completing high school in 2009, he spent two seasons with the Cedar Rapids Roughriders of the USHL. Subsequently, Megna played collegiate hockey at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he joined his brother Jaycob Megna and earned a place on the WCHA All-Rookie Team.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Following his freshman collegiate season, Megna attended the development camp for the Pittsburgh Penguins and secured a two-way contract on August 1, 2012, with an annual value of $925,000. During the 2013–14 NHL season, he was called up from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) on October 24, 2013. Megna debuted in the NHL on October 25, 2013, against the New York Islanders, and recorded his first NHL goal and point three days later versus the Carolina Hurricanes.

New York Rangers

As a free agent on July 1, 2015, Megna signed a one-year, two-way contract with the New York Rangers. He began the 2015–16 campaign with their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolfpack, before receiving a promotion to the Rangers roster on November 30, 2015. After a short stint back with Hartford in January 2016, he was recalled to New York once more on April 20, 2016.

Vancouver Canucks

Upon completion of his contract with New York, Megna agreed to a one-year, one-way contract with the Vancouver Canucks on July 1, 2016. He started that season playing for their AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, before being called up to Vancouver on October 24, 2016. On December 8, 2016, Megna achieved his first multi-goal game by scoring twice in a 5–1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. He later secured a one-year extension with Vancouver for the 2017 season on April 2, 2017.

Washington Capitals

Megna signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Washington Capitals on July 1, 2018. While playing for their AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, he tallied 20 goals and totaled 43 points across 71 regular-season games and contributed eight points during nine playoff contests.

Colorado Avalanche

As a free agent on July 1, 2019, Megna inked a one-year, two-way deal worth $700,000 with the Colorado Avalanche. After training camp concluded, he was assigned to their AHL affiliate team, the Colorado Eagles, where he collected four points over eight games before earning an NHL recall. Megna made his Avalanche debut on October 30, 2019, in a narrow 4-3 overtime defeat against the Florida Panthers. Over eight NHL appearances without registering points, he returned to the AHL and posted 18 goals and totaled 34 points in 43 games prior to the season’s suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On October 11, 2020, Megna agreed to a one-year two-way contract extension with Colorado. During the pandemic-delayed season, he divided his time between the Eagles and Avalanche mainly occupying a role on the taxi squad. He recorded his first NHL points by assisting in back-to-back games against the Los Angeles Kings on May 12 and May 13. Although included on Colorado’s extended playoff roster that postseason, he did not participate in any games.

Megna renewed his contract with Colorado again on June 16, 2021, signing a two-year two-way agreement.

Anaheim Ducks

During the final season of his contract, Megna began the year serving as captain for the Eagles in the AHL. After participating in two games, he was summoned back to the Avalanche, who were short-handed due to injuries, to fill the role of fourth-line center. Megna did not register any points across 14 games before being placed on waivers and subsequently claimed by the Anaheim Ducks on December 6, 2022. He completed the season with Anaheim, appearing in his highest number of NHL contests since 2017 and concluding with 2 goals and a total of 8 points over 55 games.

Boston Bruins

Upon entering free agency, Megna secured a one-year, two-way contract with the Boston Bruins for the upcoming season on July 1, 2023. Demonstrating strong performance with the Providence Bruins, he tallied 19 goals and 37 assists throughout 69 games, which led to his recall to Boston’s NHL roster on April 16, 2024. Megna made his first appearance for the Bruins later that same day during the regular season finale versus the Ottawa Senators.

Return to Colorado

After completing his tenure with Boston, Megna returned to Colorado by signing a two-year AHL contract with the Eagles on July 9, 2024. He was reinstated as team captain ahead of the 2024–25 AHL season, marking his fifth campaign with the organization.

Personal life

Megna’s younger sibling, Jaycob Megna, also pursues a professional hockey career and currently plays for the Florida Panthers. Their father, Jay Megna, was a defensive back in the NFL during the 1980s, competing for both the Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints.

Megna is married to Taylor Craig, who is the daughter of Jim Craig, the goaltender for the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team. The couple celebrated the birth of their first daughter in 2021.

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2009–10	Cedar Rapids RoughRiders	USHL		56	11	15	26	62		5	0	0	0	6
2010–11	Cedar Rapids RoughRiders	USHL		60	30	28	58	45		8	4	3	7	4
2011–12	Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks	WCHA		38	13	18	31	27		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL		56	5	7	12	28		12	2	3	5	0
2013–14	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL		25	9	6	15	4		13	1	2	3	4
2013–14	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		36	5	4	9	6		2	0	0	0	0
2014–15	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL		63	26	13	39	40		8	1	4	5	2
2014–15	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		12	0	1	1	14		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Hartford Wolf Pack	AHL		65	15	29	44	22		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	New York Rangers	NHL		6	1	1	2	2		—	—	—	—	—
2016–17	Utica Comets	AHL		4	1	2	3	0		—	—	—	—	—
2016–17	Vancouver Canucks	NHL		58	4	4	8	6		—	—	—	—
2017–18	Utica Comets	AHL		25	4	9	13	6		—	—	—	—
2017–18	Vancouver Canucks	NHL		1	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—
2018–19	"Hershey Bears"	"AHL"		20|"23"|43|"34"|9|"4"|4|"8"|6
""2019–20""	"Colorado Eagles"	"AHL"		18|"16"|34|"22"|— |— |— |— |—
""2019–20""	"Colorado Avalanche"	"NHL"		"0"| "0"| "0"| "2"| — | — | — | — | —
""2020–21""	"Colorado Avalanche"	"NHL"		"0"| "2"| "2"| "0"| — | — | — | — | —
""2020–21""	"Colorado Eagles"	"AHL"		"7"| "2"| "9"| "2"| — | — | — | — | —
""2021–22""	"Colorado Avalanche"	"NHL"		"0"| "3"| "3"| "4"| — | — | — | — | —
""2021–22""	"Colorado Eagles"	"AHL"		"13"| "20"| "33"| "18"|9	6	3	9	8
""2022–23""	"Colorado Eagles"	"AHL"		"3"| "3"| "6"| "12"| — | — | — | — | —
""2022–23""	"Colorado Avalanche"	"NHL"		"0"| "0"| "0"| "2"| — | — | — | — | —
"2022–23"	"Anaheim Ducks"	"NHL"		"2"| "6"| "8"| "4"|
""2023–24""	"Providence Bruins"	"AHL"		19|"37"|56|"16"|4|"2""1""3""2
""2023–24""	"Boston Bruins"	"NHL"		00
""2024–25""	"Colorado Eagles"	"AHL"		19|'32'|'51'|'21'|'9'|'5'|'3'|'8'|'2'
NHL totals				204	12	21	33	40		2	00	00	00	00

Awards and distinctions

Honor	Year
Collegiate level
Selected for the WCHA Rookie Team	2011–12