A slick playmaking centre, Art Jackson had a fine eleven-year NHL tenure in the 1930s and 40s. Statistically his finest years came with the Boston Bruins in the mid-1940s when they lost some of their top skaters to military service. Art was the youngest member of the famous hockey family that included star Harvey "Busher" Jackson.
The Toronto native excelled as a junior with the Toronto Marlboros then the St. Michael's Majors when they won the Memorial Cup in 1934. When he came up to the NHL in 1934, he was termed one of the "war babies" with former St. Mike's mates Nick Metz and Pep Kelly because they were all born during World War I. During his first three pro seasons, he played a checking role with the NHL's Maple Leafs and the Syracuse Stars of the AHL. After spending a year each with the Boston Bruins and New York Americans, Jackson returned to Beantown in 1939-40 and remained there for the next five and a half years.
In Boston, Jackson became a solid playmaker and checker playing as the third centre behind Bill Cowley and Milt Schmidt. He was on hand when the "black and gold" won their second Stanley Cup in three years in 1941. When the Bruins lost the "Kraut Line" of Schmidt, Dumart, and Bauer to military service, Jackson assumed a key role in keeping the team competitive. He registered consecutive 20-goal seasons in 1942-43 and 1943-44 playing on a line with Cowley and Herb Cain. During the early '40s he also had the opportunity to play with his brother, Harvey.
Jackson started the 1944-45 season in Boston but was traded to Toronto for cash and future considerations which turned out to be Bingo Kampman. After scoring 22 points in the last 31 games of the season, he retired.
