Keeping an eye on future Jets

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This article was published 26/11/2023 (724 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

They may largely be out of sight. But nearly two dozen Winnipeg Jets prospects are definitely not out of mind.

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 will appear the last Monday of each month. All statistics below are as of Saturday.

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The sight of Rutger McGroarty crashing hard into the boards and eventually being stretchered off the ice could be felt all the way from Michigan to Manitoba.

Fortunately, there was some promising news to report following the Nov. 17 scare, which came after the 19-year-old was rocked with a bodycheck right after releasing a shot.

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out. I’m grateful for all the well wishes. Go Blue!” McGroarty posted on his social media, along with a photo of him in a hospital bed giving a thumbs up.

Brandon Naurato, the head coach of the University of Michigan Wolverines, told reporters he was “hopeful but uncertain” McGroarty could be fully healed in time to play for the United States at the World Juniors one month from now.

While details of his exact injury haven’t been released – it sure looks like something back- or tailbone-related based on the point of impact — McGroarty won’t be rushed back into action. The 2022 first-round draft pick was off to a sizzling start with his college club, with 18 points (six goals, 12 assists) through 13 games.

The Jets organization has been in constant communication with McGroarty and will continue to monitor his progress.

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It was a memorable month for goaltender Thomas Milic. Not only did the first-year pro continue shining with the Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL — he’s 6-1-1 with a 2.24 goals-against-average and .910 save-percentage — but he made his Manitoba Moose debut and even recorded his first AHL victory when Collin Delia was briefly sidelined by injury.

The reigning Western Hockey League goaltender of the year, selected in the fifth round last summer, is part of a promising one-two punch in the prospect pool.

Domenic DiVincentiis, the seventh-round pick in 2022 and reigning Ontario Hockey League goaltender of the year, isn’t enjoying quite the same success so far this season with the North Bay Battalion, with a 6-5-1 record, 3.38 GAA and .882 SV%. Still, there’s a good chance he cracks the Canadian World Junior squad next month.

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Speaking of the Moose, nobody is hotter right now than 20-year-old Nikita Chibrikov. The 2021 second-rounder among the top rookie scorers in the AHL, with a team-leading 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) through his first 16 games. If he keeps this up, you wonder if Chibrikov’s name might be called the next time the Jets need a call-up.

Brad Lambert, the 2022 first-rounder, sits third in team scoring with 14 points (six goals, eight assists) through 16 games. (Veteran defenceman Kyle Capobianco is in between Chibrikov and Lambert with 15 points). It’s quite something when a couple of kids are leading the way in the second-best hockey league in the world.

Chaz Lucius (2021 first-rounder) is back from a concussion that cost him six games and has eight points (two goals, six assists) through 10 contests, including a goal and an assist in Sunday’s 3-2 victory in Grand Rapids. Staying healthy is his biggest challenge so far.

Other prospects currently with the Moose include forward Danny Zhilkin (one goal, four assists in 15 games), forward Daniel Torgersson (one goal, three assists in 13 games), defenceman Simon Lundmark (two assists in 11 games), defenceman Tyrel Bauer (one goal in 13 games) and forward Henri Nikkanen (no points in nine games).

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In addition to McGroarty and DiVincentiis, Winnipeg has several recent draft picks who are still in the junior or college ranks.

At the top of that list would be forward Colby Barlow, the first-round pick from last summer. The 18-year-old has 14 points (nine goals, five assists) through his first 14 games this year with the Owen Sound Attack and should at least get a look as a potential candidate on the Canadian World Junior squad.

A quick glimpse at the others:

F Zach Nehring (3rd round, 2023) – Nehring had two goals and two assists in his first 11 games with the Sioux Falls Stampede, but has been sidelined with an injury this month and missed the past nine games.

F Jacob Julien (5th round, 2023) – He’s been lighting it up with London Knights of the OHL, with 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) in 24 games this year. Considering he had 16 points in 40 games last year, that’s quite a leap.

F Connor Levis (7th round, 2023) – The 19-year-old is off to a solid start with 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) in 23 games with the Kamloops Blazers.

G Logan Neaton (5th round, 2019) – Now in his third season with Miami University, it was a tough month for the No. 1 netminder as both he and his team struggled. He’s 4-7-1 in 12 starts with a 3.38 GAA and .892 SV%.

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 nine games (two 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. An injury has cost him six games, but he’s been productive (four assists) in the eight that he’s played.

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Last, but certainly not least, are a handful of prospects who are skating overseas right now.

D Elias Salomonsson (2nd round, 2022) – Winnipeg’s top blue-line prospect has three assists through 10 games playing in the top Swedish men’s league. He’ll represent his country next month at the World Juniors.

D Anton Johannesson (5th round, 2020) – He’s bounced between the Swedish junior league (one goal, three assists in three games) and Swedish men’s league, where he has posted six assists in 14 games so far.

F Dmitry Rashevsky (5th round, 2021) – He’s on pace for a career year in the KHL, where he’s currently in his fourth season. The 23-year-old already has 13 goals and 11 assists in 33 games with Moscow Dynamo. Can the Jets eventually get him to North America?

F Fabian Wagner (6th round, 2022) – Playing in the top Swedish men’s league, he’s registered a goal and two assists through 21 games. Had no points in 22 games last year.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X: @mikemcintyrewpg