The Winnipeg Jets’ top draft choice in 2020, Cole Perfetti, took home silver at the 2021 World Juniors. Here’s how we rate his performances at the WJC.
After assessing both Henri Nikkanen’s and Ville Heinola’s performances at the 2021 IIHF World Junior championship, today we will give our final World Juniors performance grade to Cole Perfetti. Perfetti was recently drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the first round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
Many people were excited to watch the 2019-2020 Ontario Hockey League’s second-leading goal scorer compete at the international stage against the best under-twenty hockey players in the world to see how he would perform against fierce competition.
En route to a silver medal, Perfetti finished the tournament tied for 19th in points. In seven games played the nineteen-year-old had two goals, four assists, two penalty minutes, and a +5 plus/minus.
Even though the Whitby, Ontario native did not log a massive amount of minutes in each game, Perfetti was one of Canada’s key players on their powerplays.
On Canada’s powerplay, Perfetti could be found to the left of the opposition goaltender near the point. He is versatile in the fact that you don’t know what you are going to get from him when he gets the puck. He may shoot or he may pass, which keeps opposition goalies on their toes.
His great shot and release can be found on his goal on the powerplay in Canada’s 5-0 semifinal rout over Russia. Perfetti walked the puck in from the left side and let a terrific shot go at the net that beat the Russian netminder. The goal can be seen in the video below (courtesy of @TSN_Sports):
Knees not weak, arms not heavy, it's COLE PERFETTI #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/tKJbNrs1aa
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 4, 2021
Perfetti will earn a WJC performance grade of a B+. During the tournament, Perfetti impressed many with his hockey sense, shot, and vision. Perfetti had some very nice assists, while both of his goals were outstanding.
There is no doubt that Perfetti has the potential to be a top-line player in the NHL for the Jets. It will be great to watch him ascend to the top of the hockey world and it will only be a matter of time before we see him in Winnipeg contributing for the Jets.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Do you think Cole Perfetti can crack the Jets’ lineup in the upcoming season? Leave your comments below!
*All Stats Provided by the IIHF*