It was supposed to be another exciting and action-packed day today at the 2022 World Junior Championship in Alberta, especially considering all four Winnipeg Jets prospects competing in the prestigious tournament were scheduled to be in action today.
But all things took a turn for the worse when both Team Czechia and Team Russia had to forfeit their games today because of positive COVID tests within their teams.
Then the International Ice Hockey Federation (“IIHF”) decided to bring a halt to the tournament and cancel it because “the sportive integrity of the event has been compromised, and the event must be cancelled.”
The Winnipeg Jets had four former draft picks playing at the 2022 World Junior Championship
The four Winnipeg prospects participating in this edition of the WJC were 2020 draft picks, Cole Perfetti (Canada) and Daniel Torgersson (Sweden), and 2021 draft choices, Chaz Lucius (United States) and Nikita Chibrikov (Russia).
Cole Perfetti
Jets 2020 tenth overall selection and current Manitoba Moose player, Cole Perfetti was off to a terrific start to this tournament. After two games, he led all tournament players in points with six and assists with five. He also had a plus-4 plus/minus.
Even at the early stages of the WJC, Perfetti was making a case for MVP of the tournament. He also had the same amount of points in two games as he did in seven games during the 2021 WJC en route to a Silver medal.
Daniel Torgersson
Torgersson had a great opening game with Sweden as he registered an assist and had a plus-three plus/minus in a 6-3 win over Russia.
Unfortunately, the second game did not go as well for Torgersson. Although Sweden won again, Torgersson had the lowest amount of ice time among Sweden forwards in the game.
Chaz Lucius
Due to the fact the U.S.A. had to forefit their second game of the competition, we only got to see Lucius on display once through the four days.
The Jets 2021 first-round draft pick showed his offensive prowess in the United States’ lone game against Slovakia as he was tied for the team lead with five shots, but he only had thirteen shifts. Lucius also had a plus-one plus/minus in the game.
Nikita Chibrikov
Chibrikov registered an assist in both of Russia’s games during the tournament as Russia won one game and lost their other.
Winnipeg’s 2021 second-round draft choice had eight shots and a plus-two rating in those games and averaged 16:30 of ice time per game.
On a positive note, the initial reports indicate that the tournament may be rescheduled for a later date.
Ran into @IIHFHockey President Luc Tardif on the way into the arena. It’s only been a few hours, but he seems committed to pursuing the possibility of rescheduling not just the #worldjuniors but also the other cancelled tournaments, including the Women’s Under 18s. June/July?
— Gord Miller 🌻🇺🇦 (@GMillerTSN) December 29, 2021
Winnipeg Jets Fans: What are your reactions to the 22′ WJC getting canceled? Leave your comments below!