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Mark Scheifele still top prospect in Winnipeg Jets’ 2012 Fall Top 20 Photo: In his 2011-12 season with the Barrie Colts, winger Ivan Telegin (52) demonstrated great chemistry with fellow Jets prospect Mark Scheifele. (Terry Lee/Icon SMI) Consistent to their ideals, Winnipeg Jets management continued the trend of building the prospect base with big, tough, strong characters who put the team first. The team's top three picks from the 2012 draft all fit that identity and slot in very nicely into the Top 20. Winnipeg Jets 2012 draft review Photo: The Jets added to their stable of young defensive prospects when they selected Jacob Trouba ninth overall in the 2012 NHL Draft. (Jeanine Leech/Icon SMI)
The Winnipeg Jets stuck with their established drafting trends in 2012, staying in North America and looking for size, strength, and strong character. They added a stud defenseman from the US National Development Team with their first rounder, and some additional size and sandpaper to their forward group in the later rounds. The search for additional goalie depth took them to unfamiliar territory however, with a fifth rounder from the NAHL and a seventh rounder from the OJHL. Video: 2012 NHL Draft – Jacob Trouba, Winnipeg Jets Photo: The Winnipeg Jets added some physicality to their future defensive corps with the selection of Jacob Trouba (courtesy of Ken McKenna/HF)
The U.S. NTDP program has been prolific in recent years in terms of producing high-end NHL Draft prospects, and the 2012 NHL Draft is no exception. Three players from this program were chosen in the draft's first round, with Winnipeg Jets selection Jacob Trouba being the highest at ninth overall. Winnipeg Jets 2012 draft preview Photo: Drafted seventh overall in 2011, Mark Scheifele was the first ever player drafted by the newly reformed Winnipeg Jets. (Brace Hemmelgarn/Icon SMI)
The Winnipeg Jets enter their second-ever draft year looking for some high-end skill to complement their growing stable of big, hardworking players. Having drafted entirely from North America last year, and focusing on size and toughness, the need going forward is to complement that strength with some skillful puck-movers, either forwards or defenders. There will still be plenty more of the strong characters and imposing physiques taken in this draft, but look for the Jets to swing for the fences in the first round. Hockey’s Future Organizational Rankings, Spring 2012: 21-30 Photo: London Knights captain Jarred Tinordi and his London Knights teammates fell just short of a Memorial Cup championship. Tinordi is a top prospect of the Montreal Canadiens (courtesy of Aaron Bell/CHL Images) Below is the bottom third of the ranking of the prospect depth of the NHL organizations as voted by the Hockey's Future staff. To determine the ranking, each team's entire prospect pool was taken into consideration. For reference, just the top five prospects are listed. To be eligible, a prospect must meet HF's prospect criteria. The rankings are done twice each season, in the fall and spring. |
