Winnipeg Jets pick Patrik Laine at NHL entry draft

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This article was published 24/06/2016 (3420 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The lottery enhanced No. 2 pick went as expected for the Winnipeg Jets Friday night, bringing sniper Patrik Laine of Finland to the NHL team.

Of course the Jets were happy, so much so that even GM Kevin Cheveldayoff was out of his comfort zone of guarded words and restrained outlook. 

“It’s a very exciting time for the franchise, from the time we won the lottery we knew we were going to have the opportunity to get a very special player,” Cheveldayoff gushed after Friday’s first round of the NHL Draft at First Niagara Center. 

“Meeting (Laine) at the combine, we had some great conversations and some good laughs and I think it’s going to be a really good fit for the city of Winnipeg and our franchise.”

Cheveldayoff even went so far as to say he expects the 18-year-old left-winger from Tampere, Finland, to be on the Jets roster next season. 

“I think a player like this, watching him play at the World Championships, he should be ready to play,” he said. 

Cheveldayoff had teased reporters and fans for more than a week, saying he was locked in on his top draft pick. Of course, he wasn’t revealing the name ahead of time. 

“You watch him play and he does some very special things,” the GM said about his reasons for certainty. “Watch the tape and you see him do little, subtle things that you don’t really see in the game. Some of the things he does defensively. He understands the game very, very well. He’s not just a goal-scorer, a shooter. 

“And the bigger the stage, the better he played.” 

Cheveldayoff also made a minor splash in the middle of the first round, packaging up his other first-round pick, No. 22, plus the team’s second-rounder at No. 36 to Philadelphia. It allowed the Jets to move up to No. 18 and the Flyers tossed in a third-round pick, No. 79, to complete the deal. 

The Jets used their pick to claim 6-6 left-shooting defenceman Logan Stanley of the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires, a defender they clearly coveted. 

Laine was a decent prospect for this draft as of last summer, but he soared up the scouting rankings all season long. 

“Just practised hard,” Laine said after his big moment on Friday. “That’s the most important thing. I just practised and ate good and sleep well and you have to finish off those things as well as you can.” 

Laine is expected in Winnipeg later next week, when the Jets conduct their annual development camp starting a week from Sunday. 

Laine was asked if he’s ready to follow in the footsteps of one of the greatest Finnish players ever, Teemu Selanne, who began his legendary NHL career in Winnipeg. 

“I know that he scored a couple of goals in that rookie season and I think the city kind of explodes from those moments,” Laine said. “I think he’s a huge person in Winnipeg and I hope I can be that kind of person someday. 

“I think it’s easier to go there, to the city and the organization, if they know something about the Finnish people and Finnish players. I hope that I could maybe do the same someday.” 

Laine vowed to do his best this summer to be ready for next season. 

“I will do everything I can to be part of that team and earn my spot on the roster,” he said. “I will practise hard and hope that if I get the chance, I will use it.” 

Laine didn’t show it, but said he was elated to hear his name so early in this year’s draft. 

“It’s quite special to hear my name selected as second overall,” he said. “It’s the best moment of my life so far.” 

He said he spent the day trying to get his mind off of what the evening would be like.

“Not so much (nervous), just hanging around not thinking about the draft,” he said. “When the draft started, then I was nervous. But not anymore. 

“Of course I was happy to be selected as the second player. It’s amazing to be part of their organization and their city and I’m looking forward to it.” 

Laine chose a white shirt and a fuchsia tie for his NHL “debut.” 

Who chose it?

“Myself. Of course,” Laine said and he danced between interviews after the selection.

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca