Winnipeg Jets: 3 Jets Prospects That Can Have an Impact in 2021-2022

2. Cole Perfetti

Perfetti was a player who benefitted from the 2020-2021 OHL junior season getting canceled. After he was drafted as the tenth overall selection in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft all signs pointed to Perfetti playing the subsequent season in junior, but the season was canceled due to the pandemic.

To start 2021 Perfetti represented Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship. Although Canada lost in the Championship game, Perfetti’s performances throughout Canada’s seven games definitely made Winnipeg supporters excited for the future. Perfetti put his outstanding playmaking skills on display en route to two goals, and four assists in the tournament.

After the prestigious tournament, the Winnipeg Jets decided to give the nineteen-year-old an opportunity in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose and it was a move that paid off.

Perfetti played extremely well in his first professional season. He finished second on the team in points scored with 26 (nine goals, 17 assists). This stat line also placed him among the top-eight rookies in the AHL in scoring.

Ultimately Perfetti was rewarded for his play throughout the 2021 season by getting named to Team Canada’s roster for the IIHF World Championship in Latvia. Although given limited ice time throughout the tournament, the Whitby native impressed. Perfetti finished the tournament with two goals and a gold medal.

Perfetti has shown that he has a plethora of talent and the potential to be one of the stars of the Winnipeg Jets. He now has two international tournaments under his belt along with an AHL season which are great learning experiences, going against NHL-caliber talent throughout the year.

There is a great chance we could see Perfetti finally make his NHL debut this upcoming season. He has excelled at each level he has played and I expect the same when he makes the jump to the Jets.