Extending the Pipeline: Markus Jakobsen

Written by: Scott Savard

Okotoks, AB (October 27, 2025) – Odense, Denmark, located 7,154 km from Okotoks, Alberta, is the distance Oilers defenceman Markus Jakbosen made to join the Green and Gold for his first season in the BCHL.

Jakobsen’s hometown is the third-largest city in the “Land of the Danes” with a population of 185,480 as of January 2025, with Copenhagen and Aarhus being larger. Odense has been a part of human history for over 4,000 years and has stood strong through the ages, even after being burned down in 1247. Recently, Odense has become a hub for robotics, as companies like Universal Robots and Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR), both from the city, have found success.

Odense was home to world-renowned author Hans Christian Andersen, who wrote “The Little Mermaid”, “The Princess and the Pea”, “The Ugly Duckling”, “The Emperor’s New Clothes”, and many more. Sports are also an important part of the city as they host soccer, tennis, cricket, hockey, and more. “Odense Stadion”, which has hosted FIFA and UEFA matches, holds a capacity of 15,790.

Jakobsen said that hockey isn’t the most popular sport in Denmark, but it didn’t stop him from taking part in the game at the early age of three, just like many Canadians.

“Yeah, my dad was a really big influence (Jakobsen playing hockey). He was playing hockey, so he took my brother and me to play some hockey, and yeah, just stuck with it,” Jakobsen said about his start in the game played on ice.

Jakobsen said that his older brother Jonas also had a big influence on his chasing his hockey dreams. Jonas, who is two years older than Jakobsen, currently plays for the Odense Bulldogs, the same team that their father Søren worked for as a conditioning coach from 2012 to 2022. 

10 years ago, Jakobsen, Jonas, Søren, and Lone (the mother of the Jakobsen brothers) made the trip out to Canada, visiting the Wild Rose County and the Pacific Province for a trip that foreshadowed where Jakobsen would call home a decade later.

“I was here in 2015. We had a road trip from Vancouver to Whistler to Banff and then through Calgary. It’s really nice here,” he said about visiting Canada.

A difference that Jakobsen saw right away between Denmark and Canada was how involved the country is with the game of hockey. He mentioned that back in Odense, they only have two hockey rinks, whereas they are littered across Canada. With the hockey community being small in Denmark, it’s allowed Jakobsen to meet and talk to some Danish who play all around the world. Some key names from Denmark who currently play in the NHL include Stanley Cup winner Lars Eller (Washington Capitals), Oliver Bjorkstrand (Tampa Bay Lightning), Nikolaj Ehlers (Carolina Hurricanes), and Fredrik Andersen (Carolina Hurricanes).

Jakobsen is a right-shot defenceman, but hasn’t always played on the back end.

“I started off playing as a forward, mostly centre, and around U13 I moved back to D. So, I just stuck with it and I liked it,” Jakobsen said.

“Actually, I found out I had asthma (in U13). I felt like I didn’t have to skate much when I was a defenceman, so that’s how I started (on defence),” he joked about making the switch from forward, as defencemen play more minutes than forwards in a game.

Clearly, the move to defence has paid dividends as Jakobsen played for Denmark in the 2025 IIHF World Championships for Division 1 Group A, winning the tournament after defeating Austria 5-4, earning Denmark a spot in the 2026 World Juniors.

“It was awesome. It was crazy, everyone in the crowd went wild. It’s nice, and now we are getting to go to Minnesota (for the World Juniors),” Jakobsen said about winning the tournament last year. “I love it. I love representing my country. This is awesome to go there and play with my buddies from Denmark.”

Jakobsen said that he’s continuing to work hard and get better each day as he plans to make the trip to Minnesota for the 2026 World Juniors.

International hockey will be in the spotlight this season as the Winter Olympics are nearing. When asked what it would feel like to one day play in the Olympics for Denmark, Jakobsen responded with, “That would be huge. Something I definitely want to do.”

When it came to watching hockey growing up, Jakobsen spent more time watching the sport played in his home country rather than the NHL.

“Yeah, I was just watching the Danish League and my hometown team, the Odense Bulldogs. It’s kind of difficult to watch (the NHL) because of the time zone; they play really late at night, so I wasn’t watching a lot of the NHL,” he explained.

Jakobsen added that he did pay attention to Sidney Crosby, as his older brother Jonas also appreciated the skill the long-time Pittsburgh Penguins captain possessed.

Just like most brothers, tough love was evident in the Jakobsen household as Jonas would help build his younger brother’s character by testing him.

“I think you always get kind of bullied or belittled all the time, but it builds character,” Jakobsen said.

“We text a lot, keep in contact, and everything,” he added about having a close relationship with Jonas, who still resides in Denmark.

Jakobsen mentioned that his brother has been paying attention from Europe and saw him score his first BCHL goal back on October 13 during the BCHL Showcase game against the Nanimo Clippers. Jakobsen joked and said his brother congratulated him by saying “good goal”.

It’s clear by attending an Oilers game this season that Jakobsen is an important piece to the team; it’s even more evident when you see that the right-shot defenceman has registered at least a point in six of the eight games he’s played this season.

“I feel like the coaching staff is helping me a lot. I’m asking them about stuff, and it’s really nice to see their support,” he said about his hot start.

Two other people who have helped Jakobsen are his parents, Lone and Søren.

“They have been really supportive in a good way with my hockey career. Like, my dad has never yelled at me or stuff like that. He just told me to have fun, and like get better if I’m going to do something like hockey. They’ve been really supportive in that sense,” Jakobsen praised his parents.

His mom, Lone, was just down this past weekend from Denmark to watch he son play for the Green and Gold. They also went on some adventures around Okotoks, as Lone is an outdoors lover. Søren plans on coming down in the New Year to see Jakobsen play and get the lay of the land around the town.

Jakobsen added that he is a good mix between his parents, as he takes the emotional support side from Lone and then talks practical stuff with Søren.

As for the town of Okotoks, Jakobsen has already started to feel comfortable as he continues to find the community welcoming.

“I like everything here. I like the community, I like my teammates. They’re very welcoming,” Jakobsen said.

He added that having the experience of playing away from home in Sweden helped make his transition to a different continent easier.

“Yeah, that definitely helped me a lot to build character, and also I developed my defensive game a lot in Sweden, I feel like, so that’s helpful,” he mentioned.

The reason Jakobsen decided to make the jump to North America was that he saw another opportunity to continue to develop his game, and he is interested in earning a post-secondary scholarship for hockey.

“I really like the smaller ice here, more physical and faster games. I like it better than the bigger ice,” Jakobsen said about the different size of ice in North America.

Another benefit to Jakobsen joining was being able to pick the brain of former NHL player and current assistant coach and director of player development for the Oilers, Corban Knight. Knight, who has a ton of experience on the smaller ice, also played in Europe with the big ice, so he knows the transition Jakobsen is making.

“Definitely, he gives a lot of tips and tricks that someone with experience can. So, it’s nice he has that experience and I can learn from him,” he continued.

As for the Green Army, Jakobsen has already felt your presence and is excited to play for the town of Okotoks as the season rolls on.

“The fans look great. A lot of energy and a lot of support. I feel like it’s been great so far,” Jakobsen mentioned about the fans.

10 Questions with Markus Jakobsen

What is the most embarrassing song on your current playlist?

“It’s funny because I don’t really have a playlist I listen to. I just listen to like Top 60. A Danish song I like is Stolt by Annika.”

What is your go-to cheat meal?

“It would definitely be a good burger. Probably McDonald’s, I get a double Big N’ Tasty.”

If you could meet anyone in the world, alive or dead, who would it be?

“I want to say Sidney Crosby. He sounds like a wise guy, and ask him for tips.”

Who was your favourite player and team growing up?

“Martin Larsen, he’s a guy from the Danish league. He’s a character on the ice. The team would be Odense Bulldogs.”

Favourite movie and TV show?

“I don’t really watch a lot of movies. Cars for the movie. TV show, Sportscentre.”

How many times have you been to Tim Hortons since you have been in Okotoks?

“Seven times… I get the barbecue crispy chicken loaded wrap, I think that’s what it’s called.”

What song gets you pumped up before games?

“I don’t like listening to music before games. I just listen to the music in the room.”

Would you rather travel to the past or the future?

“Past. When I was a kid, like when I was five years old or something. Just to feel that environment when everything is just funny.”

Where in the world would you go if I could snap my fingers and get you there?

“The NHL. I would go to China, Spain, or Italy.”

What is your favourite sport other than hockey?

“Got to be soccer or golf.

Bonus

If you could relive any day of your life, which day would you choose?

“The last five minutes of the (World Juniors Finals) game, because it was a really close game.

Best advice you have got from your parents?

“I don’t think there is one, there’s just so much. Like the environment, what they told me when I was a kid, and where I grew up, and what made me, me. Just like everything.”

What is your secret talent?

“I don’t think I have a secret talent. I think I am above average at holding my breath. We had tournaments on holidays on who could hold their breath the longest, and I won.”