Interview with Jordan Heywood (Dresden) "Being a Christian isn't an activity but a relationship with God"

(Interview) (Christian Diepold) Jordan Heywood has been playing in Germany's DEL2 since 2016. He has played for the Heilbronner Falken and has recently been playing for the Dresden Eislöwen. He is Canadian by birth (born in Regina) and brings a unique perspective to the game he loves to play: his faith in God. Here is an interview we conducted with Jordan about hockey and faith.

Jordan Heywood

(Foto: Dresdner Eislöwen)

Jordan, you are in Germany since 2016 and playing the 1 st Season for the Dresdner Eislöwen (DEL2). How do you like Dresden?

Jordan Heywood: Dresden is a great city to play in. Going into the city with my wife is always enjoyable. We really like it when guests visit and we get to show them around the city because it reminds us how beautiful it is.

What made you come to Germany? Were there other Clubs interested in having you?

Jordan Heywood: I played two years pro in North America and wanted to play in Europe. I have an agent who gets Canadian players to European teams. I heard Germany and Austria both had good leagues so when the opportunity presented itself to sign in Heilbronn I jumped at the opportunity to play in the DEL2.

How happy are you with the team? You are now on the 8 th Place and it´s Crunch-Time for the upcoming Playoffs.

Jordan Heywood: It's been an up and down season. We still have an opportunity to finish in the top 10 and every team who does that has a chance to win the championship. There are 8 games left and every game is huge for us. We need points every night.

What do you think about the DEL2 League in Germany?

Jordan Heywood: The DEL2 is a great league. I talk to other players who play in different countries and many talk about wanting to get a job in this league. I am happy to be in the DEL2 and I have really enjoyed my time in Germany!

Your contract is only for this season. Have there been any talks on extending your contract for the next year, yet?

Jordan Heywood: At this point there have been no talks about contract extensions in Dresden.

We know that you are a Christian. We know of many Christians in soccer, but not in Hockey. Can you tell us something about your faith?

Jordan Heywood: I am always learning more about God and myself from reading the bible. My faith is constantly growing and changing and I am always learning that my faith isn't a small part of my life but the center of my life. Being a Christian isn't an activity but a relationship with God through Jesus so I am always seeking to strengthen that relationship.

How has your faith in Jesus influenced your sport and your personal life?

Jordan Heywood: My faith gives me perspective that there is more to life than just hockey. This sport is just something I do but it doesn't determine how valuable I am as a person. My value comes from being made by God and from having a relationship with God through his son, Jesus Christ. Those things stay constant whether I play a great game or a terrible one and that allows me to enjoy playing hockey.

Do you know of any other christian hockey players in germany?

Jordan Heywood: I have a friend who is playing in the Oberliga for Berlin. I also have Christian friends who play hockey in England, Austria, Denmark and France. We try and talk on video chat once a week and are studying a book together. It is nice to talk with other christian hockey players because, as hockey players, we all live similar lives and know how to encourage each other in the faith.

What’s your favourite bible verse, or your motto for life?

Jordan Heywood: My favourite verse is Colossians 3:17 which says, "Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through Him." God isn't just happy when I go to church or read my bible but he is also happy when I honour him with my motives which are for him and not for myself. That is so hard because often I want to do it for me. When I remember that He created me and gave me all my abilities it reminds me that I play for Him because I have nothing without Him.

Do you want to say anything to your fans?

Jordan Heywood: Thanks for your support and God bless!

Player Stats Jordan Heywood

S	Team	League	GP	G	A	TP	PIM	+/-		POST	GP	G	A	TP	PIM	+/-
2005-06	Melville Millionaires	SJHL	1	0	1	1	0		\|
2006-07	Melville Millionaires	SJHL	1	0	0	0	0		\|
2007-08	Victoria Grizzlies	BCHL	56	4	7	11	27		\|
2008-09	Victoria Grizzlies	BCHL	23	4	8	12	14		\|
2009-10	Victoria Grizzlies	BCHL	54	14	37	51	53		\|	Playoffs	6	1	1	2	6
2010-11	Merrimack College	NCAA	39	2	14	16	41	23	\|
2011-12	Merrimack College “A”	NCAA	37	4	15	19	56	11	\|
2012-13	Merrimack College “C”	NCAA	38	8	13	21	30	-2	\|
2013-14	Merrimack College	NCAA	33	0	9	9	33	-16	\|
	Bakersfield Condors	ECHL	5	0	3	3	2	-3	\|
2014-15	Reading Royals	ECHL	52	9	14	23	31	6	\|	Playoffs	7	4	3	7	4	6
2015-16	Reading Royals	ECHL	23	1	5	6	5	-5	\|
2016-17	Heilbronner Falken	DEL2	50	9	20	29	46	1	\|	Relegation	6	2	0	2	31	2
2017-18	Heilbronner Falken “C”	DEL2	52	12	22	34	58	16	\|	Playoffs	7	3	4	7	4	2
2018-19	Dresdner Eislöwen “A”	DEL2	44	6	28	34	28	-14	\|

(eliteprospects.com)

Weitere interessante Links:

www.deutschlandcup.de - Alle Informationen über den Eishockey Deutschland Cup seit 1987.

www.eishockey-deutschland.info - Alle Eishockey Weltmeisterschaften, Olympische Spiele seit 1910 bis heute.

Weitere Eishockey Interviews

22. Februar 2021

Player Statistics

S	Team	League	GP	G	A	TP	PIM	+/-		POST	GP	G	A	TP	PIM	+/-
2005-06	Melville Millionaires	SJHL	1	0	1	1	0		\|
2006-07	Melville Millionaires	SJHL	1	0	0	0	0		\|
2007-08	Victoria Grizzlies	BCHL	56	4	7	11	27		\|
2008-09	Victoria Grizzlies	BCHL	23	4	8	12	14		\|
2009-10	Victoria Grizzlies	BCHL	54	14	37	51	53		\|	Playoffs	6	1	1	2	6
2010-11	Merrimack College	NCAA	39	2	14	16	41	23	\|
2011-12	Merrimack College “A”	NCAA	37	4	15	19	56	11	\|
2012-13	Merrimack College “C”	NCAA	38	8	13	21	30	-2	\|
2013-14	Merrimack College	NCAA	33	0	9	9	33	-16	\|
	Bakersfield Condors	ECHL	5	0	3	3	2	-3	\|
2014-15	Reading Royals	ECHL	52	9	14	23	31	6	\|	Playoffs	7	4	3	7	4	6
2015-16	Reading Royals	ECHL	23	1	5	6	5	-5	\|
2016-17	Heilbronner Falken	DEL2	50	9	20	29	46	1	\|	Relegation	6	2	0	2	31	2
2017-18	Heilbronner Falken “C”	DEL2	52	12	22	34	58	16	\|	Playoffs	7	3	4	7	4	2
2018-19	Dresdner Eislöwen “A”	DEL2	44	6	28	34	28	-14	\|