The Winnipeg Jets open up training camp season on Friday, when they play their first game at the Young Stars Classic in Penticton, British Columbia.
The tournament is designed to showcase the Jets and other participating teams prospects but for some some Winnipeg players, it will be their first chance to impress the team’s brass for the upcoming season. The Jets have several spots to fill up front and a number of prospects have a chance to step into those positions.
19-year-old Nikolaj Ehlers stands the best chance of any of the players on the Young Stars team to make the Jets this season. Ranked #1 in the Jets system by us, Ehlers tallied 100 points in just 51 games with the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads last year.
Because of his age, Ehlers is not eligible for the AHL this season, so it will be either stick in Winnipeg or back to junior for him. More likely than not, Ehlers will earn a nine-game audition with the Jets before the first year of the entry-level contract kicks in but this weekend, the first real taste of game action will give Jets staff a peek at how far along Ehlers is in his development.
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Nic Petan and Andrew Copp are two other forwards who will be on head coach Paul Maurice’s radar this weekend and throughout camp as the vie for the remaining forward spots and another highly regarded prospect, Josh Morrissey, headlines the Jets defensive core in Penticton.
One interesting name to follow this weekend and throughout camp will be Brendan Lemieux. One of the pieces acquired along with Tyler Myers and Drew Stafford in the blockbuster made with Buffalo last season, Lemieux scored 41 times with the OHL’s Barrie Colts last season.
Lemieux, like Petan and Morrissey, is turning pro just this year and the safe money would be on him starting the year with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose. Described as a “chip off the ol’ block”, the son of Claude could potentially fit in with the Jets as a fourth-line player, depending how his camp goes. It may be a long shot, but the player and the fit could make Lemieux a Jet on opening day.
The Jets kick off the tournament on Friday afternoon against the Calgary Flames. Game time is at 4 p.m. and can be heard on TSN 1290 or viewed online at winnipegjets.com.
Next: Jets Release Young Stars Roster
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