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Flight School: Winnipeg Jets Draft and Prospect Report (S56 Edition)

Hello and welcome to another edition of Flight School: Winnipeg Jets Prospects and Draft Report! Last time, we looked at the S55 SHL Draft which added quite a few good players! Winnipeg’s S55 class continues to grow steadily, and this draft just adds to the pipeline for future growth. Even though there wasn’t a massive quantity of picks, two quality choices look set to add to the prospect pool for the Jets!

The Jets had a pretty good season, just falling short of the 4th seed in the West in order to qualify for the playoffs - but this growth shows that they’re taking steps forward, and are steadily improving their play. The expansion draft did take a chunk out of the Jets, with defenseman Satoshi Zigazooney and forward Nathan Explosion being taken in the draft leaving a hole in the middle of their lineup. Magnus Liljestrom had a quietly great season for a rookie defender, with 25 points (3 goals, 22 assists), the best of any rookie defenseman and tied for second in rookie scoring alongside Toronto North Star Danny Marston and just behind Minnesota’s Cal Labovitch’s 27 points, and a plus-8 rating leading all rookies in that category. Reid Sutherland did well as a rookie 3rd-line pivot, amassing 12 points (4 goals, 8 assists) and a minus-7 rating with a rotating cast of wingers alongside him. With several players moving, Sutherland is sure to see an increase in ice time and responsibility, and we will see how he does with the increased playing time. Strom Chamberlain’s debut season wasn’t quite as good as he’d hoped for, with a 21-20-2 record, a 3.16 goals against average and a 0.903 save percentage, but he showed that he could handle a starter’s workload with the number of games under his belt, and he is sure to improve this season as he settles into his second year in net.

Without further ado, the S56 Draft Class for the Winnipeg Jets:

S56 Draft, in Descending Order:

9th Overall: Jasper Maximov, Defense, Quebec City Citadelles

An offensive-minded defenseman prospect, Maximov played for the expansion juniors team, the Quebec City Citadelles, and was their leading defense scorer for the team with 6 goals and 12 assists, and a not-stellar minus-30 rating. Maximov has great physical tools at his disposal, and has a predilection for offense, not hesitating to lead a rush into the offensive zone, or to jump into the cycle to start something there. His acceleration, agility, balance and speed are above average, and his strength is quite good for his age and frame. His positioning and checking could use some work, but development time in the juniors ought to give him a chance to develop those skills, and polish the defensive side of his game.

41st Overall: Jst Maro, Center, Quebec City Citadelles

Another Quebec City Citadelle player, Jst Maro was quietly effective this season with a 17-point record (5 goals, 12 assists) and a minus-13 rating, which isn’t too bad on an expansion team. Maro has silky smooth hands that give him good puck handling and passing, and has an above-average wristshot. Has an above-average first step, great edgework and a motor that doesn’t quit.His skill in the dot is also tops in the junior league, and he was relied on by the Citadelles on critical faceoffs. Like Maximov, his defensive skills need some rounding out, but time in the junior leagues will help with developing that side of this player. 

63rd Overall: Edward Teach, Goalie, Anaheim Outlaws

The last pick in this draft for the Jets, unfortunately Edward Teach is currently inactive.

S54/S55 Prospects:

Pojo Biscuit, Left Defense, Anchorage Armada

Pojo Biscuit spent the season playing for the absolutely stacked Anchorage Armada, and ended up leading the defense side of Anchorage in scoring with an outstanding 30 points (8 goals and 22 assists) and an eye-popping plus-39 rating. Anchorage unfortunately could not continue into the playoffs after the first round, losing to the Timber, and Biscuit’s S55 season would end there.

Zakira Diporov, Right Wing, Detroit Falcons

Diporov saw 2nd line time in a rebuilding Detroit Falcons squad, and amassed 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) and a minus-24 rating as the Falcons struggled to get going after being ravaged by call-ups in the off-season. A tough season for them, they were swept in the qualifying play-ins against the Maine Timber, and Diporov is looking forward to the next season where hopefully his team can improve.

Zelma Zuntnere, Left Wing, Nevada Battleborn

Zelma Zuntnere was picked by the Nevada Battleborn from the Carolina Kraken, and proved herself to be an absolutely worthy choice, leading the struggling Battleborn with 25 points (18 goals, 7 assists) as their leading scorer. She was great on the powerplay with 6 goals and 1 assists on special teams, and was a volume shooter, eclipsing 110 shots and with a 16.07% shooting percentage to boot. The Battleborn didn’t qualify for the postseason, and Zelma is hoping for a better season next year as the expansion team settles down.

Victor Ball, Left Wing, Maine Timber

Victor Ball was absolutely lights out for the Maine Timber, with 38 points (13 goals, 25 assists) and a plus-4 rating tied for 2nd on the team for scoring alongside Lucas Hellquist, and just behind Kyle Sutton. Unfortunately, after sweeping the Falcons, knocking down the Knights and then beating the Armada, the Timber would fall to the Newfoundland Berserkers in the cup finals as the depth of the Berserkers was enough to overcome the stellar goaltending from Leo Bloomfield. Nevertheless the Timber had a great season, and look to still be a contender in the next season, and Ball looks like a 1st-line winger ready to explode again.


Ending Remarks

Thus ends this S56 edition of Flight School, and I am happy to report that this draft has nicely added to the pile of prospects for the Winnipeg Jets that are looking ready to go up in the next few seasons. With the success of the recent call-ups, and the uncertainty of expansion-related chaos in the league, the Jets might have a chance at a postseason berth, and after the contract changes take place in a season or two, might have a chance at being a true contender for the Challenge Cup. Until next time, this is your Flight School Instructor signing off!

Good job PUFF!!! Good Read!!

Drafted 2nd round 21st Pick by the Winnipeg Jets in S55 SHL Entry Draft 

GM of the UCORCAL in the WJC S55

S55 WJC Gold Medalist GM/Player for UCORCAL

Management Role for Russia in the IIHF

Recent Management Role / Head Coach for Winnipeg Aurora in SHL 

CO-GM St. Louis Scarecrows S57-S60

GM of the St. Louis Scarecrows S61-S72

S72 Challenge Cup Champion

      S76 SMJHL DRAFT 3RD OVERALL PICK     
        S77 SHL DRAFT 4TH OVERALL PICK         
                     IIHF TEAM NORWAY