|
Rank |
DOB |
Acquired |
Pos |
Allan |
Andy |
Philip |
Daniel |
Ryan |
Cara |
Ian |
Brian |
Tim |
|
22 |
1993/07/10 |
#91, 2013 |
C/RW |
24 |
17 |
18 |
24 |
19 |
25 |
23 |
21 |
26 |
Previous Rank: 15th
Super Pest! Feisty! Determined! ‘In yer face’! These are all ways to describe JC Lipon, and are likely some of the reasons why the Winnipeg Jets chose to select him at #91 in the 2013 draft.
Although he is a bit of a late bloomer, as he was passed over twice in previous drafts, JC Lipon is out to prove that he belongs in the NHL. Not gifted with size at 6'0" and 180 lbs, this prospect has been working on his confidence to go along with an ever growing skill set, and two years with the St. John's Ice Caps have helped him immensely.
While he's made people sit up and take notice of his abilities, Gary Lawless with the Winnipeg Free Press calls JC a B prospect and future 3rd line RW. Gary could potentially be right about both line and position, as RW on that line is currently up for grabs in theory, but JC would need to rely on his playmaking rather than penalty taking to land that gig in 2015-16.
Stats:
AIH Authors' Thoughts:
Brian:
Drafted as an overager in 2013, JC Lipon looks to be an outside shot to make the Jets this season depending on the rest of free agency. I expect him to play at least one game as a Winnipeg Jet this season, most likely on the fourth line.
Tim:
JC Lipon followed his strong rookie year with a season that created doubt. The strong offensive numbers disappeared and left a player who takes more penalties than he draws. Was his offensive downturn related to a lack of quality teammates on a horrible IceCaps team? Or were they a sign of things to come? JC has some skill and some really slick vision. Can he rebound?
Ian:
An old school grinder type of player. Still put up a respectable number of points his past two years in St. John’s. Will probably see some action with the club to find out if he can replace the likes of Thorburn and Peluso.
Allan:
I wouldn’t expect him to get any sort of call ups this year, perhaps next year. He will need waivers the following year.
Andy:
163 PIMs in St. John’s last year with a -26. Cusp 3rd liner, 4th liner at best, but will have to take a number behind #1 RW resident Thorburn, although I’d like to see Lipon knock Thorburn off that pedestal. At 22, the Moose are a likely bet again this year.
Hit the link to see what Rory Boylen with The Hockey News had to say about JC Lipon and his rising skill set back in '12, as well as these scouting reports from In Lou We Trust and The Hockey Writers.
Summary:
All in all, I believe the potential is there. What do you think? Do the Jets have a diamond in the rough and possible 2015-16 roster member, or the Moose a contributor for the upcoming season? Thanks for reading, and we look forward to reading your comments!
