Winnipeg Jets 2012 Entry Draft: 1st Pick 9th Overall Jacob Trouba

The excitement of the first round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft is finally over for Jets fans.  When Kevin Cheveldayoff went up to the podium there were a number of forwards available for selection.  Many fans were thinking that a centre was just what this organization needed.

Instead rated 9th overall in the final TSN draft rankings, the Jets took Jacob Trouba.  Our own prospects expert Kyle Kosior, who is in Pittsburgh for the draft had this to say about him:

A strong skater with excellent physical strength, Trouba can use his size and skill to take command of a game. Trouba is also used in all situations and can provide help at both ends of the rink.

From TSN:

Jacob is an initiating player who takes charge. It begins with an intense desire to impact the game in some way. He takes charge of situations and if an opponent is not prepared to commit 100% versus him, he will find himself falling short. He is a very strong skater, with excellent balance & this allows him to jump into the attack and move up ice but it also allows him to deliver bone jarring hits as well as fend off opposing checks. With his size and skating combination, he’s a very difficult player to break down defensively and to gain the upper hand on. Very good understanding of the game and his awareness and poise allows him to make strong plays under pressure. He moves the puck well and can make plays offensively but his best offensive weapon is a heavy shot that can overwhelm goalies and creates challenges for them in terms of corralling it. He thrives in the competitive moments and the bigger the game, the better he is. He plays to win and there is no sacrifice he won’t make in the game to help his team win.

Here is some background on the Jets newest pick.

Born:  Rochester, Michigan
Shoots:  Right
Position:  Defence
Height:  6″ 2
Plays for:  University of Michigan

If you’d like to follow Trouba on twitter his handle is: @JacobTrouba