Winnipeg Jets and their six prospects at the WJHC –
I asked the question on Twitter about how may of the Winnipeg Jets six prospects would actually play in the NHL.
question for #NHLJets fans: of the 6 Jets prospects playing in WJHC how many do you think will play over 100 games in a Jets/NHL uniform?
— Winnipeg Hockey Talk (@WpgHockTalk) December 30, 2014
The 2015 IIHF U20 World Junior Hockey Championships are now over and depending on which game had just been played the fan response to my survey question fluctuated. When Chase De Leo scored the shoot-out winner versus Finland, he was the greatest thing since sliced bread and Jets G.M. Kevin Cheveldayoff was the “Draft Whisperer”. It was the same every game when a Jets prospect was playing. That’s what being a fan is.
Nikolaj Ehlers was definitely the “soup de jour” during the preliminary round. I don’t know if there was one Jets fan that didn’t name the Danish winger as a lock to play in a Winnipeg Jets uniform. Ehlers, Morrissey, Petan and Comrie were on most Jets fans lists. Kostalek and De Leo were on the outside but still received plenty of support. As the tournament progressed, Jets fans had settled on the fact that probably 3 to 4 of the Jets prospects would actually see full-time employment in the NHL.
@WpgHockTalk im gonna say 4! Comrie,Petan,Morrisey and of course Ehlers!#gojetsgo — MarcJets4lifeLacroix (@MarkyMarc941) December 30, 2014
@WpgHockTalk i think all 6 will have a good chance. Morrissey, Ehlers Petan and Comrie are locks.
— MattyIce (@ice_matty35) December 30, 2014
@ice_matty35 @WpgHockTalk I wouldn’t say Comrie is a lock. — Toddler (@toddrose24) December 30, 2014
@WpgHockTalk @jstar1973 @juventus777JETS wow good question… Being positive, I’ll say 4 Morrissey, Petan, Kostalek, and Ehlers…
— Derek Curtis (@WalleyeDboi) December 30, 2014
@WpgHockTalk @WalleyeDboi @juventus777JETS I have three. Petan, Ehlers and Morrissey. Still think Hellebuyck is the goalie of the future. — Jeremy Wiebe (@jstar1973) December 30, 2014
@WpgHockTalk Morrissey, Ehlers, Petan — Mathmew Purrrr Oh! (@maximustacitus) December 30, 2014
@WpgHockTalk Two of WJHC prospects will go 100 games for #NHLJets: Ehlers, Petan. Comrie battling Hutch & Hellebuyck lowers his chances.
— Greg Polinchuk (@GregP26) January 6, 2015
Final stats:
Josh Morrissey was also named 1st Team All-Star Defenceman
After Nic Petan’s hat-trick in the semi-final, he saw a big spike in support and was deemed a lock to make the Jets and the same for Josh Morrissey after the Gold Metal game versus Russia where he was named to the “Media 1st All-Star Team”.
Winnipeg fans for the most part are very excited about all of the Jets prospects, maybe too excited! The future does look positive but in my opinion Jets fans are way to hyped up about our prospects. Most of our prospects are still a long way from becoming full-time professionals. The simple truth is that fans buy into the hype and propaganda that surround their favourite team’s draft picks. It happens in every market not just in Winnipeg. ALL fans cling to the hope that the NHL’s annual meat market will net them that franchise changing player that will lead them to the promised land.
Most players drafted will never see a NHL jersey and even high draft picks aren’t a lock to have long careers in the NHL. The AHL and European leagues are filled with “can’t miss” prospects and “locks”. If you ever needed proof, all you had to do was watch this past years Spengler Cup. You probable noticed that Team Canada’s roster was filled with high NHL draft picks that were plying their trade in Europe.
The Winnipeg Jets prospects look promising but only time will tell.
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