|
Rank |
DOB |
Acquired |
Pos |
Allan |
Andy |
Philip |
Daniel |
Ryan |
Cara |
Ian |
Brian |
Tim |
|
21 |
1992/06/18 |
#190, 2013 |
D |
26 |
16 |
27 |
15 |
17 |
22 |
24 |
26 |
23 |
Previous Rank: 18th
Oh those silly New York Islanders! Their loss is the Jets gain, I'd say. You see, Brenden Kichton was drafted by the Islanders 127th overall in the 5th round of the 2011 draft. Stocked with shiny new defensemen from the 2012 draft, the Islanders took the route of leverage and lowballed Brenden's initial contract, as he wanted to turn pro after a stellar 1st team WHL All-Star season. Brenden didn't sign, the Islanders released him and the Jets scooped him up at 190th overall in the 7th round of the 2013 draft.
Fast forward to today, and after two seasons with the St. John's Ice Caps, Kichton has been a productive professional. The biggest roadblock stopping him from advancing is perhaps the current logjam of D on the parent club.
Stats:
AIH Authors' Thoughts:
Andrew:
Brenden Kichton is out to prove the Jets made a good move drafting him in the 7th round. All-Star in the AHL for the 13-14 season, the 23 year old is playing with confidence. However, has a logjam at D on the main club with Jan Kostalek and Josh Morrissey ahead of him in the depth department. Mid-season, depending upon the Buff contract talks, could be used as trade bait if play continues well.
Tim:
Much like was the case with JC Lipon, Brenden Kichton saw a steep downturn in his counting stats after a rookie season that earned him an AHL All-Star nod. The team fell apart and his numbers plummeted. That said, he remains a decent prospect, but his lack of size and speed likely limit him long term.
Allan:
At the very least a good AHL guy to have around. There is concern his defensive game has not improved.
Ian:
Any time a 7th round pick becomes an AHL All-Star in their first year, you have to consider them a good pick. Got surpassed by Chiarot last year on the depth chart and will probably drop even more with some of the guys coming out of junior. Still think he will be a great player to have on the Moose this year.
Here is the scouting skinny on Brenden via The Hockey Writers, while over at Winnipeg Hockey Talk they describe Kichton’s season as a “step backwards” within the greater context of the Winnipeg d-corps (and why now may be the best time to trade Toby or Buff).
What do you think? Does Brenden Kichton have what it takes to prove Garth Snow wrong? Let us know what you think in the comment section below, and thanks for reading!
