WINNIPEG — Winnipeg Jets rookie Nikolaj Ehlers is living up to the hype in his first NHL season.
Ehlers, 19, scored the Jets only goal in a 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday. Ehlers once again used his sniping ability to score off a nice shot, giving him four goals in the first nine games of his rookie season.
“Always hard to say what you expect from yourself,” Ehlers said. “What I expected was to just go out there and get better every game. Just play the game, having fun with it and get some wins with the team, so it feels pretty good.”
“I’m happy to say he’s been consistent,” head coach Paul Maurice said. “I think he’s made improvements to his game incrementally as he’s gone along. His release and his shot selection are very, very good.”
Ehlers’ four goals is just one off the team lead held by Drew Stafford. And it’s also just one back of Connor McDavid, Anthony Duclair and Oscar Lindberg for the league lead among rookies. The ‘Great Dane’ has also recorded seven points, good for sixth in NHL rookie scoring. But it’s his strong work ethic that’s getting him praise from the head coach.
“He’s a hockey player,” said Maurice. “He comes to the rink to work and he comes to the rink to get better and he has been very humble I think with his teammates.”
“Every game is a new experience for me,” Ehlers said. “I can learn something from every other team in the league.”
And Ehlers will probably learn a thing or two from the defending Stanley Cup champions when the Jets close out their six game home stand against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.
WATCH: Nikolaj Ehlers and Paul Maurice discuss Ehlers’ hot start to the NHL season.
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