NHL Draft 2017: With the 74 overall pick the Winnipeg Jets select Johnathan Kovacevic

With the 74th overall pick, the Winnipeg Jets selected overage defenceman Johnathan Kovacevic from Merrimack College. Kovacevic had 19 points in 36 games as a freshman with the team. Prior to going to the NCAA he played CCHL for the Ottawa Junior Senators and the Hawksbury Hawkes. He recorded 36 points in 51 games that season.

He has always been strong at moving the puck and driving offence, which has been a weak point for the Jets for years. Based on his point totals, he has been able to adjust to making the move to the NCAA, where he was a true Freshman last year. He should be returning to Merrimack College in the fall to continue his career there.

Kovacevic considers himself a two way defenceman who plays defence first. This is generally a good thing as long as the puck does not stay only in his team’s zone and it sounds like he is more then capable of getting the puck up the ice when needed.

The Winnipeg Jets pick next at 105.