As we continue on in our Top Prospects Series we see ourselves into the meat and potatoes of the Winnipeg Jets prospect pile, and for that we need to travel back to the NCAA and to the state of Ohio, yes you read that correctly Ohio.
The number 14 top prospect is Jack Roslovic if you have not heard of this player then you need to pay more attention to the NCAA and the world juniors. Jack first made noise when he was part of the Ohio Blue Jackets system.
Roslovic made waves in his major bantam AAA Blue Jackets getting 41 points in 21 games, which earned Roslovic a spot on the Ohio Blue Jackets U16 program team getting 53 points in 41 games, that same year Roslovic was pulled up to the U18 team and played 4 games but Roslovic failed to get any points in those four games.
The OHL Priority Draft was held that summer and seen Roslovic get selected to the Plymouth Whalers in 9th round 176th overall, Roslovic decided to not pursue the major junior route and went to the National Development Team USA in the United States Hockey League.
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Roslovic played in 34 games for the USNDT getting 4 goals and 14 points and 14 PIM giving Roslovic an overall -14 rating. The 2013-14 season also seen Roslovic join the U17 US National Development Team for 54 games Roslovic seen his biggest amount of growth with this program 14 goals and 18 assists for 32 points and 30 penalty minutes.
Roslovic made the trip to Europe in the summer of 2014 to play in the WHC-U17 championships as a member of Team USA, Roslovic played in all six games and was able to make an impact for Team USA with 2 goals 4 assists and 6 points.
The 2014-15 season seen Roslovic return to the USA National Development Program in the United State Hockey League for 25 games netting himself 11 goals and 27 assists for 38 points. Roslovic again finished the season with the US National U18 team to play an additional 65 games. Roslovic made a big impact on the team and showed his growth as a player with 27 goals and 52 assists for 79 points. Roslovic played for Team USA u18 again and played in 7 games with 6 goals and 5 assists for 11 points.
Roslovic went to Sunrise Florida in the summer of 2015 as a first year draft eligible player. 4 of 6 Draft Rankings had Jack Roslovic going in the high second round of the entry draft with 2 other independent firms ranked Roslovic at #24 and #26 the Winnipeg Jets selected him in the first round at number 25 and they would not be disappointed.
Roslovic is 6’1 183 lbs, but what makes Roslovic so appealing to most teams and most scouts is Roslovic plays two positions and he plays them both well Roslovic plays both centre and right wing which is unheard of by most accounts in todays game, most players will play the position they are asked but few like to switch their positions, but Roslovic can easily switch positions.
Roslovic joined the NCAA in Ohio for the 2015/16 at Miami University and had a great season, Miami runs a fantastic program and Roslovic fit in well with 34 game played Roslovic had 10 goals and 16 assists for 26 points. Roslovic could go the same route as Jacob Trouba and turn pro next season but in would be beneficial for Roslovic to spend another season in the NCAA.
Roslovic is a very fast skater with a ton of potential, Roslovic has a great transition game and can play both centre and right wing making him very versatile, when it comes to the Winnipeg Jets depth chart, Roslovic would more then likely be asked to play the wing, but the Jets are weaker on the left side but could use Roslovic on the right side.
Roslovic is a great prospect for the Winnipeg Jets and is a prospect to keep an on, Roslovic will be in Winnipeg this summer for the Jets rookie training camp and will play in the Winnipeg Jets Prospect Tournament but will play in the NCAA for Miami again next year.