Jets go heavy on Canucks

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This article was published 29/06/2023 (805 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Jets dipped their toes in foreign waters over the last few years as the NHL organization filled its prospect pool with fresh faces. Not so at the just-completed 2023 draft, where the Jets mined for talent much closer to home.

Four Canadian skaters — two from the Western Hockey League, two from the Ontario Hockey League — and a North Dakota product with local family connections were the latest to hear their names called by Winnipeg.

It’s the first time since 2012 the Central Division team didn’t select any Europeans.

“That’s the way it fell, and we’re confident and happy with the players we got,” Jets director of amateur scouting Mark Hillier told reporters in Nashville on Thursday afternoon.

Colby Barlow was the big prize Wednesday night, as the high-skilled, high-scoring, high-character winger from the Owen Sound Attack was selected in the first round (18th overall).

“We were extremely happy to get him. He’s one of those guys we had quite a bit higher on our list. He fell to us and we jumped at the chance to get up and get him,” said Hillier.

Winnipeg then added four others Thursday when rounds two through seven were completed. Here’s a brief bio, along with some soundbites, on each:

RW Zach Nehring (3rd round, 82nd overall): Born in Minot, he’s quite familiar with Winnipeg, as his mother is a Manitoban and his grandparents live here. Nehring actually played for the Winnipeg Junior Jets at the prestigious Brick Invitational Tournament back in 2014.

“Couldn’t ask for a better team to be picked by,” Nehring told reporters at the draft.

The 6-3, 179-pound forward has been part of the Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep Program, where he had 85 points (36G, 46A) in 54 games with the U18 squad last year. He’s headed to the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL this fall, and is committed to Western Michigan University for the 2024-25 season.

“I’m a big, two-way forward. I’ve got skill but I’m a big physical guy and I love that part of the game,” he said. “I bring it every night. I’m a winner, and that’s what I want to do. Hopefully, come up to Winnipeg in a couple years and win some games.”

Nehring conceded he’s on a “longer path” and is focused on filling out his frame and improving his skating.

“Kind of a raw kid at this point, but we see a lot of upside there,” said Hillier. “He’s got power-forward tendencies. We’ve got some long runway there. He played at a great program at Shattuck. Really excited about his possibilities.”

Hillier said having some connections to the community doesn’t hurt the cause, either.

“We don’t hear enough kids that want to come to Winnipeg. That was his genuine feeling. We were No. 1 on his list,” he said.

C Jacob Julien (5th round, 146th overall): A big body who is viewed as a potential late-bloomer. Standing 6-4 and weighing 181 pounds, Julien played for his hometown London Knights of the OHL last season where he had 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) in 40 regular-season games.

He added seven points (2G, 5A) in 20 playoff games as London reached the OHL final. Julien actually began his season with the London Nationals of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, with 41 points (19G, 22A) in 22 games.

“Played more and more as the season went on. Really think there is good upside and possibility there,” said Hillier.

“London Knights are one of the best organizations in the league. (Former NHLers) Mark and Dale (Hunter) produce players, make players. Really confident (Julien is) going to develop there next year.”

G Thomas Milic (5th round, 151st overall): The most recognizable and pro-ready prospect drafted by Winnipeg.

Folks around here may recall seeing him just last month at Canada Life Centre as his Seattle Thunderbirds faced the Winnipeg Ice in the Western Hockey League championship. They went on to win the series and earn a berth in the Memorial Cup, where they lost in the final to the Quebec Ramparts.

Milic, from Coquitlam, B.C., is coming off a spectacular year after being passed over in both the 2021 and 2022 drafts. The 20-year-old “overager”was named WHL goaltender of the year and a first-team All Star after going 27-3-1 with a 2.08 goals-against average and .928 save percentage in the regular season.

He was then named WHL playoff MVP after going 16-3 with a 1.95 GAA and .933 SV%. As if that wasn’t enough, he also helped Canada win a gold medal at the 2023 World Junior Championship last winter, going 5-0-0 with a 1.76 GAA and .923 SV%.

RW Connor Levis (7th round, 210th overall): The Jets love their high IQ players. Barlow is the current OHL scholastic player of the year, while current Winnipeg stars Adam Lowry and Josh Morrissey previously got those awards in the WHL, as did Cole Perfetti in the OHL.

Levis won it last year with the Kamloops Blazers. The 6-1, 190-pound forward from Vancouver had 67 points (27G, 40A) in 68 regular-season games, and six points (one goal, five assists) in 14 playoff games as Kamloops hosted the Memorial Cup.

“He’s a big kid, big winger. He played all the games, he’s a durable player,” said Hillier. “The skating probably has to come a little bit and it will as he gets stronger and develops. We just thought it was really good value in the seventh round.”

All five players will be in Winnipeg next week as the Jets hold their rookie development camp, which includes on-ice sessions at the former Iceplex facility, July 5-8.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg