Jets trim training camp roster

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This article was published 24/09/2017 (2910 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Logan Stanley has the size but needs to grow his game in junior.

The Winnipeg Jets returned the 6-7, 230-pound defenceman to his junior-hockey squad, the Kitchener Rangers, on Sunday morning. He was one of 13 players trimmed from the NHL club’s training camp roster.

Head coach Paul Maurice hinted over the weekend he wanted the personnel down to a more workable number and he’ll have that Monday morning when the Jets skate at the Iceplex in preparation for an evening pre-season clash with the Calgary Flames.

Winnipeg (0-3-1) is still looking for its first victory of the pre-season. Game time is 7 p.m. at Bell MTS Place (TSN3 TV, 1290TSN Radio).

Nineteen forwards, nine defencemen and three goaltenders remain at training camp.

Stanley participated in the Young Stars Classic prospects tournament in Penticton, B.C., earlier this month and was invited to the Jets’ main camp. However, the Waterloo, Ont., product, a first-round pick (18th overall) in the 2016 NHL Draft clearly isn’t ready for prime time.

Kitchener is 1-1 its first two games of the OHL season. Stanley could be in the Rangers lineup when they play the Windsor Spitfires on Thursday night. Stanley won a Memorial Cup national junior title with the Spitfires in late May, but his rights were dealt to Kitchener in early August.

Two notable members of the Jets organization, goalie Michael Hutchinson and blue-liner Julian Melchiori, were cut by the big club and must clear waivers before joining the Moose.

Hutchinson has appeared in 99 games with the Jets over parts of four seasons, going 41-38-11 with a career 2.63 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. He was at his best with the Jets during the 2013-14 season when he went 21-10-5 and helped the team earn its only playoff appearance.

He inked a new two-year contract prior to the 2016-17 season, as the Jets needed another goalie under contract to leave exposed to the Vegas Golden Knights in the expension draft. Hutchinson’s fate was sealed when Winnipeg signed goalie Steve Mason over the summer, and he will partner with Eric Comrie with the Moose unless he is claimed on waivers or a trade with another club can be negotiated.

Melchiori, meanwhile, has a pair of assists in 30 games with the Jets over parts of three seasons. He got into 18 contests at the end of last season when the club was hit with string of injuries to the blue line, and will be a valuable, veteran contributor for the Moose.

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Fowards Michael Sgarbossa and Buddy Robinson, both signed by the Jets on July 1, were demoted and must clear waivers before joining the Moose. Blue-liner Cam Schilling is in the same boat.

Winnipeg also sent forwards Mason Appleton, Chase De Leo, Jansen Harkins and Jimmy Lodge, defenceman Sami Niku, Nelson Nogier and goalie Jamie Phillips to the AHL team. None of the players requires waivers.

The club suffered its third-straight loss in regulation Saturday — a 6-2 defeat to the host Edmonton Oilers. Winnipeg opened the exhibition slate Sept. 18 at home with a shootout loss to the Minnesota Wild.

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPJasonBell