Jets young star shines brightly in Montreal

Have yourself a weekend, Danny Zhilkin.

The Winnipeg Jets prospect played a starring role in back-to-back victories over the young stars of the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators.

On Saturday night, Zhilkin scored twice — including the game-winner with just 25 seconds left in regulation — as the Jets rallied for a 4-3 triumph. On Sunday evening, the 22-year-old set up two goals, including Fabian Wagner’s overtime dagger in a 3-2 win.

Safe to say, Zhilkin enjoyed his return to the Bell Centre — the very arena where he was drafted in the third round (77th overall) in 2022.

“Super awesome. Full circle moment,” is how Zhilkin described it during a chat with the club’s social media squad. “You know, I had my whole family here for the draft. Just to come back here and pay in front of 20,000 plus fans was a great experience, for sure.”

Zhilkin, who was born in Russia but primarily raised in Canada, has endured a tough start to his professional career following three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with Guelph and Kitchener. Injuries have limited him to just 97 games over his first two years with the Manitoba Moose, producing only 17 points (5G, 12A).

Development is rarely a straight line, and the speedy centre’s performance at the Prospect Challenge suggests brighter days may be ahead.

“Just to come back here and pay in front of 20,000 plus fans was a great experience, for sure.”

“He came here in great shape, spent the summer working really hard, and it paid off,” said Moose coach Mark Morrison, who guided the kids into battle against the Habs and Senators.

“We’re seeing what we’re going to see from Danny.”

Wagner, also drafted in Montreal in 2022, was thrilled to add another highlight from the building to his memory bank.

“It was a great pass by (Zhilkin),” said the Swedish forward, who had 13 points (8G, 5A) in 50 games as a rookie with the Moose last year. “You always want to win. We had a really good compete level and that’s why we won this game.”

Zhilkin, who also made a key shot block in the dying seconds to help preserve Saturday’s win, wasn’t the only standout. Several of his teammates boosted their stock with strong showings. Here’s a look:

Masked men: Goaltender Domenic DiVincentiis was brilliant against Montreal, stopping 38 of 41 shots. The ice was often tilted toward him, but the 21-year-old — another member of the 2022 draft class — stood tall. After a strong rookie pro season that began in the ECHL and ended in the AHL, he’ll look to build on that with the Moose.

“The man of the match,” is how Morrison described him.

Not to be outdone was 20-year-old undrafted rookie Alex Worthington, signed by the Moose this summer after finishing his WHL career with Edmonton. He turned aside 36 of 38 shots on Sunday against Ottawa. With DiVincentiis and Thomas Milic likely manning the Moose net, Worthington may start in the ECHL but certainly made a strong first impression.

“I felt really good. The guys were great, and it was a great group effort,” said Worthington.

Colby Barlow: The 18th-overall pick in 2023 was noticeable in both games, scoring once and adding an assist against Montreal, then making a slick bank pass that led to defenceman Ben Zloty’s highlight-reel goal against Ottawa.

Barlow, 20, was close to an even bigger offensive output — a goal was called back against Montreal for a high stick, and he later rang one off the post against Ottawa.

There’s no question the talent is there, as proven by the strong finish to his junior career last spring when he piled up 33 points (14G, 19A) in 21 playoff games with Oshawa.

Nikita Chibrikov: The plucky Russian forward, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last January, worked off some rust and reminded everyone why he’s an intriguing prospect. The speed, skill and grit are evident.

Chibrikov had a scare Sunday when he was leveled from behind by an Ottawa player, crashing awkwardly into the boards. Teammate Elias Salomonsson immediately jumped in to defend him. Chibrikov quickly shook it off, then fired a shot that Jacob Julien tipped home on the ensuing power play.

Brayden Yager and Elias Salomonsson: Nothing flashy, but Winnipeg’s top forward prospect and top defence prospect were solid at both ends. Each recorded a secondary assist. Both are likely headed for AHL seasoning this fall, but their futures remain bright.

Chase Yoder: The Jets have found success signing free agents out of Providence College — see Brandon Tanev and Parker Ford. Could Yoder make it a hat trick? The 23-year-old forward, signed to an AHL deal this summer, scored a highlight-reel goal against Montreal and added an assist. He nearly scored again against Ottawa, ringing one off the post.

At 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, Yoder isn’t the biggest, but he brings a relentless motor.

Extra, Extra: Kieron Walton was injured against Montreal after a heavy hit and missed the rest of the weekend. With only 12 forwards on the trip, Winnipeg had to play with 11 against Ottawa. Walton’s undrafted twin brother, Conor, stepped in as a seventh defenceman. He had been invited as a free agent.

Jacob Cloutier, an 18-year-old forward and seventh-round pick this past summer, chipped in two assists against Montreal.

In total, 14 players from this mini-tournament will move on to Jets main camp starting Thursday: DiVincentiis and Worthington in goal; Salomonsson and Eddison Engle on the back end; and Zhilkin, Wagner, Barlow, Chibrikov, Yager, Julien, Cloutier, Walton, Kevin He and Owen Martin up front.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg