I’m a day late on this one, but here it is. This is what happened with your favorite Winnipeg Jets prospects this week.
AHL
The IceCaps took part in four games since our last update and they split the outings going 2-2. Connor Hellebuyck started all four games and he posted nice numbers in three, but still needed overtime to seal the deal. Helle stopped 128 of 137 shots for a .934 save percentage.
Points:
Keaton Ellerby 1G 2A
John Albert 2A
Carl Klingberg 2G, 1A
Will O`Neill 1G 2A
J.C. Lipon 1A
CHL
The Winnipeg Jets’ QMJHL kids continue to chug along. Jan Kostalek laced up his skates twice and extended his point streak to six games. He was blanked in the second outing, but his offensive production this year has been solid. The other Kossy is progressing well as a prospect. And then there is Nikolaj Ehlers. This kid is incredible. Ehlers played twice, tallying five points in his pair of games.
Jimmy Lodge has gone relatively quiet as his Mississauga Steelheads have slumped. The Steelheads played three games and Lodge picked up an assist in the first of the three. The team scored a total of one goal in the two games that followed. Lodge was blanked. It would have been nice to see Lodge play on a quality team.
In the dub, Axel Blomqvist played three games and picked up three points (1G, 2A). Josh Morrissey’s Kelowna Rockets appear to be adjusting to their new personnel. Joshie picked up 1A in his two games played. De Leo picked up 3 points (1G, 2A). Nic Petan picked up 5 assists in those same three games. Nelson Nogier was blanked and Eric Comrie missed more time. He is dealing with a lower body injury that has kept him out of action since the World Juniors.
NCAA
Tucker Poolman is the Dustin Byfuglien of the NCAA. The Winnipeg Jets defensive prospect has played three positions this year – defense, right wing and now left wing. Poolman played well too. He picked up a goal and two assists in two games played as the #1 left wing at UND.
Jason Kasdorf played two games. He won them both and allowed a total of one goal against. Kasdorf wasn't overworked, but stopping 43 of 44 is rock solid and he earned himself goalie of the week honours.
The Jets other goalie prospect Jamie Phillips split his two outings. Andrew Copp played one game and netted himself a goal and an assist. CJ Franklin played two games and scored one goal.
Three Stars
1) We might as well rename the first star, Nikolaj Ehlers. The Jets top prospect was at it again. He is currently riding a 19 game point streak and he has tallied 2+ pts in 15 of his last 18 for a grand total of 49 points in his last 18 games. That is crazy. He is crazy. And it needs to be noted again that he is playing centre, so he isn't stagnating. He continues to learn.
2) Tucker Poolman deserves props for his versatility. UND has a strong defensive group and Poolman was struggling to find ice time, so they moved him to left wing on their top line. It is a weird scenario – not unlike what we've seen with Dustin Byfuglien. The difference here is that Poolman is still developing. Such a move could be permanent depending on how he plays.
3) Jason Kasdorf has rebounded from an injury and a bit of a rough stretch to earn himself goalie of the week honours and while his workload wasn't overwhelming – it has been on many nights. Rensselaer would be in tough without Kasdorf and they know it.
The Jets have a number of kids doing interesting things. The College crop looks better now than it ever has. Has anybody surprised you with their play?
