Winnipeg, Manitoba – Today we continue our look at the Winnipeg Jets future as this season as been a lack luster season the Jets faithful have a lot to look forward to in terms of prospects and Jansen Harkins is another prospect that is in waiting room for the big club.
Harkins is was a great draft pick by the Winnipeg Jets at 6’1 186 lbs born in North Vancouver British Columbia was a third round draft pick 47th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft Pick.
Jansen Harkins is currently in his second full season in the Western Hockey League playing for the Prince George Cougars and is doing very well for the Cougars organization. In two full seasons with the Cougars Harkins has raised his number and it is a great sign for the Jets brass in 13/14 season Harkins had a slow start after playing in the Major Midget league in BC but finished the season with 10 goals and 24 assists for 34 points.
Harkins was able to find a fantastic off season training program and came into the Cougars camp bigger faster and stronger and the would bode well for the Cougars and the Jets as Harkins was able to finish his second WHL season with 70 games played with 20 goals and 59 assists for 79 points and 45 PIM. The jump in numbers for Harkins is a trend that the Jets have been seeing in their prospects which is a testament to the scouting staff.
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Harkins also played for Team Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships in Helsinki Finland and in 7 games for Team Canada and ended up with 3 goals and 2 assists for 5 points and Harkins will more then likely see the World Juniors once again this season in Toronto.
Harkins has once again raised his goal total to 23 goals this season which is always good for an NHL prospect however production as a whole for Harkins has dropped in assists department with 33 and 56 points this season for a -3 rating in 67 games.
Jansen Harkins is a great hockey player don’t get me wrong he is an awesome two way centre that isn’t afraid to fight for the puck and Harkins is also not afraid to feed other peoples as well he is a star in his own right but Harkins likes to make those around him better. Harkins is dangerous with amazing skating ability and the fact that he can beat most other players to the puck and is dangerous in a stretch pass situation.
Harkins has NHL pedigree in his blood lines his father Todd Harkins was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 1988 and went on to play just 48 games in the NHL ranks but Jansen shares the same eye for the game that his father had, Todd is also the General Manager of the Prince George Cougars and is a smart hockey mind. Jansen also has two uncles that have hockey in their blood Don Harkins retired before going pro and has been in Hockey Operations ever since including the Director of Scouting for the OHL and is currently in the Flint Firebirds organization.
Brett Harkins was also drafted in the NHL by the New York Islanders in the 7th round of the 1989 draft and played 78 games in the National Hockey League but has played in high level European hockey including playing in the Spengler Cup.
Jansen Harkins may see at least a couple more seasons in the Western Hockey League and will probably even play his over age year in the WHL before seeing time in the American Hockey League with the Manitoba Moose. Harkins does need to put on some weight before getting a sniff at the NHL or the Winnipeg Jets line up and in Harkins case its great to see the Jets taking their time with the development of their draft picks.