Newest Jet could get NHL debut soon

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This article was published 01/04/2016 (3476 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Add Brandon Tanev to the long list of prospects who will get an audition with the Winnipeg Jets before the curtain closes on the 2015-16 season.

The Jets were not on the ice Thursday, but Tanev is expected to practise with the club today in advance of their game against the Chicago Blackhawks and could be pulling on a jersey for his NHL debut soon after.

In the meantime, the newest Jet — signed Wednesday after a superb career at Providence College — plans to soak in every nanosecond of his first experience around the pro game.

“It’s an exciting point in my life,” Tanev said. “To be part of an organization like Winnipeg that’s got such a great history in the NHL and the opportunity to play in a Canadian market is something I’ve dreamed about since I wanted to play in the NHL.

“There’s going to be some nerves, absolutely. It’s an exciting time for me, absolutely. But to be able to lean on my brother, he said to let it all hang out and be excited and enjoy the moment.”

Tanev’s older brother is Chris, a defenceman with the Vancouver Canucks who played 39 games with the Manitoba Moose in 2010-11. And he played a big role in influencing his younger brother where to sign, as Brandon whittled NHL interest in him down to two or three from 12 teams.

“It was unbelievable to have somebody like that who has had success in the NHL and he’s had past experiences here in Manitoba when he was in the AHL,” said Tanev. “He knows a lot of the individuals here. I was able to lean on him in that sense and he helped me along the way.”

Tanev signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Jets, but can’t be sent to the Moose because he wasn’t on their roster on trade deadline day. He is 24, which means he would become a restricted free agent in the summer.

He has spoken to both Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and coach Paul Maurice, the latter saying he was impressed with how hard Tanev was on the puck from the film he’s watched.

Tanev has also worked out with Mark Scheifele during the summer as a client of former NHLer-turned-fitness guru Gary Roberts.

“He’s fast. He’s really fast,” said Scheifele. “We see that every week in the summer. He’s on the puck quick and he’s strong. He battles hard, he’s got an edge to him and he’s got a really good shot.”

❚ MORE HONOURS FOR CONNOR: Kyle Connor’s freshman season with the Michigan Wolverines might be over, but the honours keep piling up for the prized Jets prospect.

Connor was named Thursday as one of the three finalists for the 2016 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, given to the top player in NCAA hockey. The other two finalists are junior goaltender Thatcher Demko from Boston College and senior forward Jimmy Vesey from Harvard University. The three finalists were selected from the initial list of 10, which also included Connor’s Michigan linemates in JT Compher and Tyler Motte..

The winner will be announced on April 8 at the Frozen Four in Tampa.

Connor is the third Michigan player to be named a top finalist and the other two nominees also won the award: Kevin Porter in 2008 and Brendan Morrison in 1997.

The 19-year-old product of Shelby Township, Mich., led the nation in scoring with 71 points (35 goals, 36 assists) and finished the year on a 27-game point streak.

He was named both the Big Ten Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year and to the Big Ten Tournament all-tournament team and Tournament MVP.

❚ MORRISSEY HONOURED, TOO: Josh Morrissey continues to work on his on-ice game in an effort to become an NHL regular.

His off-ice work is already at an elite level.

The Manitoba Moose announced Thursday that Morrissey is the team’s winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award, “for his outstanding contributions to the Manitoba community during the 2015-16 season.”

The honour also means Morrissey is now one of 30 finalists for the AHL’s 2015-16 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, honouring the overall IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year.

❚ STONE DOWN FOR TWO: Hockey fans were still talking Thursday about Dustin Byfuglien’s crushing hit on Ottawa forward, and Winnipeg product, Mark Stone. Stone left the ice immediately but did return for a few shifts before exiting again with what the team called a chest injury. He remained in Winnipeg overnight before heading back to Ottawa while the team travelled to Minnesota.

Senators coach Dave Cameron said he will miss at least the next two games.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @WFPEdTait