While the pro clubs of Winnipeg are busy chasing down their respective opportunities to clinch a playoff spot in the NHL and AHL playoffs, many Jets prospects are either seeing their season come to a conclusion or are currently playing in the playoffs. Figured it would be a good time to get caught up with the North American prospects in the Winnipeg system.
NCAA:
2022 1st rounder Rutger McGroarty: He and his Michigan Wolverines has their season come to an end in the Frozen Four last night in Tampa. He had a very good freshman season in Ann Arbor putting up 18 goals and 21 assists for 39 points in 39 games. I’d expect he returns to Michigan next year for his sophomore season.
2022 4th rounder Garret Brown: Now he is technically not yet in the NCAA as the big right shot Dman is playing in the USHL this season with the Sioux City Musketeers (36GP 3G 13A) and then with the Waterloo Black Hawks (12GP 0G 0A) after he was traded. The regular season runs until April 22nd. He has committed to the University of Denver for the 2023-24 season.
WHL:
2022 1st rounder Brad Lambert: He has flourished since being assigned to Seattle putting up 17G 21A for 38 points in 26 games. His Thunderbirds swept Kelowna 4-0 He played in the first two of the four games (had two assists) but missed the last two with a non-covid related illness according to the team. Now his offensive abilities are significant but it sounds like he has used his time since being sent to the WHL to work on other areas of his game to become a more complete player. Check out this assessment which was written a few days ago.
2021 1st rounder Chaz Lucius: Like Lambert he too seemed to really be finding his way with Portland picking up 5G 10A for 15 points in 6 games with the Winterhawks but his season came to a conclusion on February 6th when it was announced he required shoulder surgery.
OHL:
2022 3rd rounder Danny Zhilkin: He and his Kitchener Rangers (as an 8th seed) advanced with a sweep of the #1 seed Spitfires (according to the OHL first time that’s happened in opening round). They next face the London Knights. He’s got 1G 2A in the four games. He likely would have joined the Moose had his OHL season concluded. Will be interesting to see how he does at the pro level.
2022 7th rounder Domenic DiVincentiis: After the netminder set record after record with his North Bay Battalion, they are locked up 2-2 with the Mississauga Steelheads. Game 5 is tonight in North Bay. (Update: He led his club to a big win courtesy of a 37 save shutout which saw him get named 1st Star of the Game).
2021 3rd rounder Dmitry Kuzmin: He put up 14G 45A for 59 points in 65 games as a Dman. He and his Flint Firebirds find themselves down 3-1 to Cole Perfetti’s old team the Spirit. Game 5 is tnt in Saginaw. Kid can skate. (Update: He picked up the game-winning goal for his club to force a game 6 and which saw him get named 2nd Star of the Game).
Other news & notes:
Pair of goalie prospects in 2018 6th rounder Jared Moe (more here) and 2019 5th rounder Logan Neaton (more here) are currently in the transfer portal.
