Jets dial 911 for blue-liner Kichton

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This article was published 25/03/2016 (3482 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

No one is sure how this is going to turn out, but Brenden Kichton isn’t going to let any of the uncertainty spoil the moment.

The 23-year-old defenceman could be making his NHL debut this afternoon in Buffalo for the Winnipeg Jets. Or, it might be a case where he gets an all expenses paid trip to upstate New York to watch the game from the press box.

Kichton has been recalled from the Manitoba Moose on an emergency basis after Jacob Trouba did not practise at MTS Iceplex on Friday. Trouba was hurt when blocking a shot in Thursday’s win over Los Angeles. The Jets were to leave for Buffalo early Friday and, because the game is a matinee, there will be no morning skate.

“There’s a question mark on Jake,” said Jets coach Paul Maurice Friday. “He took a shot (against the Kings) and felt a little better today than yesterday.

“We’ll get him out for the skate just prior to the game and see how he feels in the (skate) boot and if he feels good, he’ll play. If not, Brenden will get his chance.”

Kichton first got news of his call-up late Thursday night from Moose coach Keith McCambridge. Less than a day later he was on the ice with the Jets, followed by a session with the media in which he couldn’t stop grinning.

“It’s extremely exciting. I mean, it’s a dream come true getting called up and being up here with all the guys,” said Kichton Friday. “I’ve got some friends up here from (the Moose). It’s just really thrilling.

“It’s kind of a waiting game, but I’m just happy to be up here right now. Whether Trouba plays will be up to them.”

Kichton’s offensive game has never been in question. He averaged 80 points in his final three years with the Western Hockey League’s Spokane Chiefs and had 10 goals and 48 points in his first year as a pro with the St. John’s IceCaps. He’s been prolific again this year with the Moose, with nine goals and 34 points in 62 games.

But critical in his taking that next step to the bigs has been the work he’s done in his own zone.

“We’re happy with his play,” said Maurice. “He’s a puck mover and he’ll get into holes and can create some offence for you. He’s worked hard to become a better defensive player and a lot of that, for defencemen, is just defensive reads and picking up the rest. For some guys the reads are a little easier in the NHL.

“It’s a more sorted game and he’s a smart player who should be able to move the puck, help us on the breakouts and get something going for us in the offensive zone.”

❚ ONE CALLED UP, TWO SENT DOWN: The Jets announced late Thursday Scott Kosmachuk and Chase De Leo have been returned to the Moose, those moves coming with Nikolaj Ehlers and Joel Armia back in the lineup against the Kings.

Maurice spoke glowingly Friday of the growth he’s seen in the young forward crew that was promoted and made their NHL debuts.

“I’ll put Nic Petan in that group, too, because he’s still here, but I think they really used their year of pro effectively,” said Maurice. “Scotty’s got a little bit more experience than the other two, but from where they were in training camp to now, they’ve had a good year of pro. Quickness, quick feet… Nic Petan has cut down on some of the turnovers that he was guilty of in his first tour here.

“But all of them have come back with far more of a pro mentality to the game, the pace of the game that you’re not ‘sharking’ as we say around the ice. You’re in on every play.”

❚ TAKE A SEAT: The Ontario Hockey League has suspended Jets prospect Brendan Lemieux for two playoff games for a slew-foot in Game 1 of the Windsor Spitfires’ Western Conference quarter-final series against the Kitchener Rangers.

The Spitfires forward received an automatic match penalty, leading to the league review, after being called for slew-footing Frank Hora of the Rangers. Kitchener won the game 6-5 in OT.

“Maybe it’s a penalty, but it does not look like a slew-foot to me,” Spitfires coach Rocky Thompson told the Windsor Star. “They get tangled up, guy falls down backwards, nothing dangerous at all, and all of a sudden it’s a five-minute power play and that’s the game. To me, that was the game right there. We lose, arguably, our best player.”

Lemieux has been averaging 1.41 points per game since coming to the Spitfires from the Barrie Colts and had 32 goals and 30 assists in 45 games this season.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPEdTait