They may largely be out of sight. But nearly two dozen Winnipeg Jets prospects are definitely not out of mind for the organization.
It’s hard to remember a time the future talent pool was as deep as it currently is. As such, the Free Press will be tracking the progress of these players during the season.
Our updates appear the last Monday of each month, except when they fall on a holiday as is this case this week.
The hockey world will be watching four Jets prospects closely in the coming days as they get the chance to shine on an international hockey stage.
At the top of the list is forward Rutger McGroarty, who has recovered from a frightening injury last month in time to not only be a member of the U.S. World Junior team — but to guide the way as captain.
It’s a huge honour for the 19-year-old, who skated on the top line in Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Norway to kick off the annual holiday tournament which is being held in Sweden.
Considering he was stretchered off the ice with a punctured lung and broken rib just six weeks ago, it’s remarkable that McGroarty was able to make it back. It’s also understandable he might take some time to get back up to speed given what he’s gone through. McGroarty was held without a point in his first game, registering one shot on goal.
“I’m just thankful I was playing today,” the 2022 first-round draft pick said. “For me, personally, I need to be a lot better. You can say first game back but, still, we’re playing in the World Juniors. There’s really no time for error. I didn’t really like my game. I thought there was some ups and downs. I’ll be better.”
Spoken like a true leader. McGroarty was off to a terrific start with the University of Michigan, with 18 points (six goals, 12 assists) through 13 games. He’ll return to NCAA action with the Wolverines once the World Juniors are complete.
“I’m so thankful for everybody that was by my side the whole time,” McGroarty said of getting to this stage despite long odds after taking a devastating hit and crashing into the boards.
“I was never alone. I felt so loved. It was definitely a battle but I’m glad I’m here. I feel like I’m a pretty mentally tough kid. I thought I knew pain, until I was down on the ground there. You don’t really know what’s going on the first couple days, you’re in the hospital and kind of loopy. Once you fully grasp what’s going on it’s kind of scary.”
Also at the WJC are a pair of Jets prospects on Team Sweden. However, defenceman Elias Salomonsson’s debut on Tuesday lasted just 25 seconds as he was quickly slapped with a five-minute boarding major and game misconduct.
Whoops. We’ll see if further discipline is coming for Winnipeg’s top blue-line prospect, who has four assists through 15 games playing in the top Swedish men’s league.
Forward Fabian Wagner was held without a point in Sweden’s 6-0 victory over Latvia. The sixth-round pick from 2022 has registered a goal and three assists through 26 games.
Over in Switzerland, the Spengler Cup is underway with goaltender Thomas Milic on the Canadian roster. The reigning Western Hockey League goaltender of the year, who was drafted by Winnipeg in the fifth round last summer, is having a strong first pro season.
Milic, 20, has played in 13 games with the Norfolk Admirals, Winnipeg’s ECHL affiliate, and is 9-2-1 with a 2.44 goals-against-average and .910 save-percentage with two shutouts. He’s also made four appearances with the Manitoba Moose, going 1-1 with a 3.74 GAA and .877 save-percentage.
Milic was the backup on Tuesday as Canada opened with a 4-0 victory over Frolunda HC.
Closer to home, here’s a look at how things are going for the rest of the prospects. Let’s start with the Manitoba Moose, who continue to led by a pair of promising rookies.
Brad Lambert, the 2022 first-rounder, is tied for the team scoring lead with 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) through 23 games. Right beside him is 2021 second-rounder Nikita Chibrikov, who has nine goals and 12 assists through his first 24 games.
The kids are definitely alright on the farm.
Chaz Lucius (2021 first-rounder) has continued to battle injuries but put together a productive December after a slow start. He’s up to 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) through 17 AHL contests.
Other prospects currently with the Moose include forward Danny Zhilkin (two goals, five assists in 24 games), forward Daniel Torgersson (one goal, four assists in 21 games), defenceman Simon Lundmark (four assists in 20 games), defenceman Tyrel Bauer (one goal, three assists in 23 games) and forward Henri Nikkanen (no points in 14 games).
After being assigned to the ECHL to start the year, defenceman Dmitry Kuzmin was promoted to the AHL earlier this month and racked up two assists in his first six games with the Moose. Kuzmin had one goal and one assist through 11 games with the Norfolk Admirals.
Back to junior, and a couple disappointed players who no doubt began the year thinking they’d be playing for Canada at the WJC.
Colby Barlow, the first-round pick from last summer, has 14 points (nine goals, five assists) through his first 14 games this year with the Owen Sound Attack. That’s not bad, but it’s also a big drop for a guy who had 79 points (46 goals, 33 assists) in 59 games last year. Barlow has battled some injury and illness so far and will be looking for a much stronger second half.
Same goes for Domenic DiVincentiis, the seventh-round pick in 2022 and reigning Ontario Hockey League goaltender of the year, who is just 7-7-1 with a 3.78 GAA and .875 save-percentage on a struggling North Bay Battalion squad. He went 36-9-2 with a 2.33 GAA and .919 save-percentage last year.
Other prospects who have yet to turn pro include:
F Zach Nehring (3rd round, 2023) — Nehring had two goals and two assists in his first 11 games with the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL, but has been sidelined with an injury since late October. There is no clear timetable for his return.
F Jacob Julien (5th round, 2023) — Another massive month with the London Knights of the OHL. Julien is up to 38 points (14 goals, 24 assists) in 32 games this year. That has him T-15th in OHL scoring and represents a major leap from the 16 points in 40 games last year.
F Connor Levis (7th round, 2023) — The 19-year-old continues to be productive (10 goals, 17 assists) in 32 games so far with the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL.
G Logan Neaton (5th round, 2019) — After a rough November, Neaton trended up in three December stars with Miami University. He’s now 5-8-2 in 15 starts with a 3.03 GAA and .900 save-percentage.
F Harrison Blaisdell (5th round, 2019) — Now in his third season with the University of New Hampshire after two years with the University of North Dakota, the 22-year-old has been slowed by injury and limited to just 11 games so far (three goals, no assists). Unlikely the Jets retain his rights beyond this year.
D Garrett Brown (4th round, 2022) — After playing the last three years in the USHL, he’s in his first year with the University of Denver. His season is over after just eight games (four assists), as the son of former NHLer Curtis Brown recently underwent surgery for a lower-body injury.
Back overseas we go, and two more players to keep a long-distance eye on.
D Anton Johannesson (5th round, 2020) — He’s bounced between the Swedish junior league (one goal, three assists in four games) and Swedish men’s league, where he has posted six assists in 16 games so far with Brynas IF.
F Dmitry Rashevsky (5th round, 2021) — He’s closing in on career highs in the KHL, where he’s currently in his fourth season. The 23-year-old has 31 points (17 goals, 14 assits) in 43 games with Moscow Dynamo. His best, to date, was 19 goals and 38 points in 67 games last year.
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Mike McIntyre
Sports reporter
Mike McIntyre grew up wanting to be a professional wrestler. But when that dream fizzled, he put all his brawn into becoming a professional writer.
