Winnipeg Jets NCAA Prospect Tracker: Jordan Samuels-Thomas starts scoring

As the NHL lockout continues, Arctic Ice Hockey will continue to focus on how the Winnipeg Jets‘ prospects are performing this season. In this feature, we will track the performance of the Winnipeg Jets’ prospects throughout the past few weeks of the 2012-2013 NCAA hockey season. Enjoy!

Goaltenders

Connor Hellebuyck (UMass-Lowell) – After a rough start to his NCAA career and over a month without even a whiff of game action, Connor Hellebuyck got just his second start in UMass-Lowell’s Nov. 24 game against Princeton University. Hellebuyck didn’t look rusty at all though, stopping 22 of 23 shots in a 3-1 win. With starter Doug Carr sporting a .912 SV%, Hellebuyck will need a couple more games like his last one to show that he can be relied upon.

Jamie Phillips (Michigan Tech) – Phillips hasn’t seen a lick of game action since we last convened, despite head coach Mel Pearson moving away from starter Phoenix Copley, who has struggled in his six starts this season. Kevin Genoe led the Huskies to two overtime victories over Bemidji State, and may have solidified himself as the team’s starter with those performances. Don’t worry about Phillips though, he’s been keeping busy with umm…uh…interviews?

Jason Kasdorf (RPI) – Like Hellebuyck, Jason Kasdorf got his first start of the season since we last convened, leading RPI to a 4-1 win over Mercyhurst (who?) on Nov. 17. Kasdorf saved 30 of 31 shots in the win. It's just one game, and granted it's against a school that I didn't even know existed until a minute ago, but with Scott Diebold and Bryce Merriam both posting sub-.890% save percentages this season, another strong showing or two from Kasdorf could put some pressure on RPI's coaching staff to go with the hot hand.

Defensemen

Peter Stoykewych (Colorado College) – It’s been a rough couple of weeks for Colorado College, as in their last four games they’ve lost back-to-back games to #2 ranked Denver University, tied #3 University of New Hampshire, and lost to Yale. Worse yet, three out of those four games were played at home. Stoykewych, for his part, posted a -2 in both outings against Denver, but held his own against Yale and UNH. Colorado College needs to find their game fast, because with their next four games coming against #7 North Dakota and #4 Minnesota, things don’t look like they’re going to get much easier from here on out.

Aaron Harstad (Colorado College) – Like Stoykewych and the entire Colorado College team, Harstad has struggled recently against tougher competition. He's failed to register a point since we last checked in while playing to a -2 in Denver's 6-2 shellacking of CC on November 17, -2 in the team's 4-4 tie against New Hampshire, and missing the team's most recent game against Yale. No news on whether he'll be in the lineup next weekend against North Dakota.

Brennan Serville (Michigan) – While the counting stats are still lacking, Brennan Serville continues to plod along as a steady contributor on the Wolverines’ back-end this season. According to our resident Wolverines expert and newest contributor, Serville’s positioning is sound and his puck movement has noticeably improved this season. With continued improvement, he may yet carve out a professional career, albeit likely in the bottom half of the lineup.

Jacob Trouba (Michigan) – Whereas Serville’s been a quiet contributor, Jacob Trouba’s contributions thus far have been anything but quiet. He’s settled down a bit in recent weeks though, scoring just a goal and an assist since we last checked in and limiting his penalties to a measly two minute minor for boarding. The Wolverines have struggled as a team, having lost back-to-back games against #7 Notre Dame, as well as a loss to #13 Cornell in recent weeks. At just 5-7-1, the Wolverines are at risk of falling out of the NCAA rankings.

Forwards

Vinny Saponari (Northeastern University) – Saponari, Northeastern's captain, has scored three points in three games since our last update, bringing his season total up to 10. Unfortunately, all three points came in Northeastern losses, as the team fell to Providence, Vermont, and St. Lawrence.

Yasin Cisse (Boston University) – Cisse picked up his first point of the season, an assist, in BU’s 4-0 victory over St. Lawrence on November 24. Really exciting stuff.

Tanner Lane (Nebraska-Omaha) – Tanner Lane’s been racking up the DNP’s in recent weeks, as he’s only seen action in one game since we last checked in. He’s been held scoreless thus far this season, but on the bright side, Lane continues to average more than a shot per game and hasn’t been a total liability defensively.

Jordan Samuels-Thomas (Quinnipac University) – After a quiet couple of week's, Jordan Samuels-Thomas appears to have regained his scoring touch. JST has registered 2 goals and 2 assists since we last checked in, helping Quinnipac to win five of its last six games, including notable wins over #13 Cornell as well as conference rival (and top 20 bubble team) St. Lawrence University. Quinnipac is now 8-3-2 (4-0 in conference play) and ranked #18 in the country.

Note: Click the headings to sort the table by any category you choose.