WINNIPEG — Up-and-coming hockey players are hoping to catch the eye of Winnipeg Jets management this week.
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More than 20 NHL wannabes hit the ice Thursday in front of dozens of fans for the first practice of rookie camp.
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“It’s nice to be out there again and playing hockey,” said Nikolaj Ehlers, the Jets top pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. “It’s a chance to meet the new guys coming and get ready for the season.”
Players skated once in Winnipeg before leaving for Penticton, BC for the annual Young Stars Classic. The tournament pits prospects against those from three other Canadian NHL teams. The Jets will play three games over four days starting Friday against the Calgary Flames.
“For a lot of the guys, it’s their first game of the season,” said Josh Morrissey who will be playing in his third Young Stars Classic. “Mistakes are going to happen. The main thing is to go out, have fun and not put pressure on yourself.”
This is the fourth year the Jets participate in the tournament hosted by the Vancouver Canucks. Winnipeg racked up a 2-1 record in 2014 with wins over Vancouver and Edmonton. While the victories are nice, players will be concentrating more on their individual performances hoping to land an invite to the Jets main training camp.
“I have to work as I hard as I can,” said forward Nic Petan. “As a smaller guy, that’s the main thing. The skills and play will show. Just have to work hard.”
Joining Ehlers, Morrissey and Petan in Penticton are Andrew Copp, who suited up for the Jets’ final game of the 2014-2015 season, 2015 AHL All-Star goalie Connor Hellebuyck and Brendan Lemiuex, a 40 goal-scorer with the OHL”s Barrie Colts last year. A pair of Manitobans will also be part of the Jets roster. Former Winnipeg Blues’ Peter Stoykewych and Brendan O’Donnell will get a chance to compete for a job on their hometown team.
“Being a Winnipeg boy, you always dream of playing professional hockey,” said Stoykewych. The fact I get a chance to do that in front of friends and family here and get the opportunity to try out for the team here is great and something I’m really looking forward to.”
The Jets’ main training camp opens September 17 with physicals. The first on-ice practice is scheduled for the following day.
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