Jonathan Cheechoo was born July 15, 1980 in Moose Factory, Ontario. The second round, 29th overall selection of the San Jose Sharks in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Cheechoo is a graduate of the OHL's Belleville Bulls. The Moose Factory, Ontario native spent three seasons in Belleville where he was named to the OHL All-Rookie Team in 1998 and saw his offensive production increase with each season. Instrumental in leading his team to the 1999 OHL Championship, Cheechoo finished his three year career in Belleville with 111 goals and 138 assists for 249 points.


In 2000-01, Cheechoo joined the AHL's Kentucky Thoroughblades and went on to finish tied for 5th in AHL scoring (32-34-66) and was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. The only member of the Moose Cree First Nations to sign an NHL contract, Cheechoo joined the AHL's Cleveland Lumberjacks the following season where for a second consecutive year he was named to the Canadian All-Star Team for the AHL Mid-Season Classic. Following two strong seasons in the AHL, Cheechoo became a permanent fixture with San Jose in 2002-03. In his first full NHL season, the Moose Factory native saw action in 66 games registering 16 points (9-7-16), before more than doubling his point total in 2003-04, with 47 points (28-19-47).