From Ice Rinks To Americas Cardroom’s Final Tables: The Journey of Jon Pardy

In hockey, legends are immortalized in the Hall of Fame. Each November, new names are etched alongside icons, celebrating careers that left an undeniable mark on Canada’s national winter sport. 

The Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee faces a tough task each year, as deserving athletes from across the globe have contributed to the game’s rich history. 

While fans applaud these celebrated figures, there’s another class of athletes–those who showed great promise but whose paths were cut short.

Among them is Newfoundland native Jon Pardy, a player once considered a rising star in junior hockey. 

His story didn’t end when his skates came off. Instead, Pardy redefined himself, shifting from a brief but competitive hockey career to reality TV glory and eventually to the world of high-stakes poker with Americas Cardroom. 

Pardy’s path is one of resilience, reinvention, and an enduring competitive spirit. It’s a journey that took him from the cold arenas of the QMJHL to the intense social strategy of Big Brother Canada, and finally to poker’s global stage, where the stakes are measured not in goals or game points, but in chips and championships. 

The Short but Fierce Hockey Career

Jon Pardy’s life on the ice began with big expectations. He was drafted to the Rimouski Oceanic of the QMJHL for the 2007 to 2008 season, a team known for producing NHL-level talent. 

After a year in Rimouski, Pardy moved to the Amherst Ramblers, helping them reach the 2009 playoffs. 

His playoff appearances continued when he joined the Yarmouth Mariners in 2011, followed by a stint with the Clarenville Caribous. But hockey can be as cruel as it is exhilarating.

In 2013, while playing for the Caribous, Pardy sustained injuries that would force him out of the sport he’d devoted his life to. 

For someone who had always considered hockey his “first love,” the setback was devastating. The dream of playing at the sport’s highest level was over, but Pardy refused to let the injuries define his future. 

Big Brother Canada: From Unknown to Champion

 In 2014, Pardy made an unexpected pivot into reality television, joining the cast of Big Brother Canada Season 2. Entering the house without much knowledge of the game’s nuances, 

Pardy relied on his natural charisma and social adaptability. His ability to connect with a wide range of personalities quickly made him a central figure in the house.

The turning point came with his alliance with Neda Kalantar, who brought strategic prowess to match Pardy’s social game. Together, they dominated the season. 

But in one of the show’s most memorable moves, Pardy blindsided Neda at the final three, securing an easy path to victory. 

That decision cemented his place in Big Brother Canada history, proving that he had the instinct and boldness to seize opportunities, traits that would later serve him well at the poker table.

From Reality TV to Poker’s Global Stage with Americas Cardroom 

Following his reality TV win, Pardy searched for a new competitive outlet. 

That search led him to poker, initially through a fellow reality show contestant who introduced him to the game. His big break came when he joined Bill Perkins’ 

Thirst Lounge project, where he gained access to resources, mentors, and a dedicated streaming platform. 

It was during this time that he made Day 3 of the Venom tournament, a run that caught the attention of the leadership team at Americas Cardroom.

One phone call changed everything. While streaming in front of thousands, Pardy was invited to “The Cage,” a signature Americas Cardroom live event. 

The hospitality and passion he experienced there solidified his connection to the brand. 

What started as an introduction turned into a sponsorship, making him one of the platform’s most recognizable pros. 

Today, Pardy competes in major events like Americas Cardroom’s flagship Dual Venom tournaments, which boast a combined $10 million guaranteed prize pool and massive mystery bounties. 

Fans can watch him battle alongside fellow pros like Chris Moneymaker and Rob Kuhn on Twitch, where his charisma from Big Brother days now fuels his streaming presence.

For Pardy, poker is more than a profession; it’s a lifeline. “Poker saved me from addiction, and took me off a road that wasn’t leading anywhere,” he said. 

His three words to describe the game: “competitiveness, freedom, and networking” speak to the personal and professional fulfillment he’s found in it. 

And his advice for aspiring players is simple but telling: put in the work, master your mindset, and treat the craft with the dedication it demands. 

While hockey fans may remember what could have been, poker fans now celebrate what is. 

Jon Pardy’s career shift from ice rinks to poker tables proves that reinvention is possible and that competitive fire doesn’t fade; it just finds a new arena.