Winnipeg Jets: Three Prospects Named to WJC Rosters

Three Winnipeg Jets prospects will be headed to Edmonton later this month to compete in the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championships.

Today is a great day around the Winnipeg Jets organization. Countries competing in the 2021 World Junior Championships announced their rosters for the prestigious tournament and three Jets prospects will be competing for a gold medal.

It was announced that the Jets 2020 first round draft pick, Cole Perfetti, was named to Canada’s roster and top Finnish prospects Ville Heinola and Henri Nikkanen were named to Finland’s roster for the tournament.

Heinola was selected by the Jets in the first round of the 2019 entry draft and played in eight games for the Jets last year, then was sent down and played three games in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose. Ultimately, he finished the year by being loaned back to Lukko, his former club in Finland.

The 19 year old forward, Nikkanen, has still not signed a professional contract with the Jets. Originally, he was drafted in the fourth round in the 2019 draft by the Jets. He is currently applying his trade for Jukurit, who compete in Liiga in Finland. This season Nikkanen has two goals and five assists in seven games.

Perfetti is coming into this tournament after having an outstanding campaign with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey league last year. Perfetti had 37 goals and 74 assists in 61 games. He is known for his elite vision and is someone who Jets fans could see in the NHL very soon.

For everyone around the Winnipeg Jets organization, the must see game of the tournament takes place on New Years Eve when Canada faces Finland in the final group game. Here we will get to see Perfetti face off against Heinola and Nikkanen, in what could be a matchup of the future faces of the Winnipeg Jets.

The tournament kicks on Christmas Day (December 25th) and the Gold Medal game is scheduled to take place on January 5th. All the games will be played at Rogers Place in Edmonton. All information about the competition and the complete schedule can be found here.

Winnipeg Jets Fans: Out of the three Jets prospects selected for the WJC, which one are you most excited to watch in the tournament? Leave your comments below!