Developing relationships the main focus of Jets development camp

WINNIPEG - It takes an incredible amount of commitment to develop the on-ice skills to be a professional hockey player, but learning off the ice is equally important.

Somehow, that off-ice learning is even more valuable when trying to get comfortable in a new city.

Forward Nikita Chibrikov, who the Jets selected in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft, is doing just that.

He signed his entry-level contract on May 1, 2023, and watched the Manitoba Moose in the American Hockey League playoffs as an introduction to the organization.

"We talked with the Jets maybe a year ago when I was in Russia. They said to me to come here, we'll help you," he said after Thursday's on-ice portion of development camp. "It's a good step for you to be an NHL player."

The 20-year-old winger played 31 games in the KHL in 2022-23 for Spartak Moscow where he recorded two points. He began working on his English when he arrived, and says he continues to improve on it every day.

Fellow Jets prospect, Danny Zhilkin, who was born in Moscow and spent part of his childhood in Russia before he and his parents moved to Canada, has been a lot of help for Chibrikov - even though it was Zhilkin's Canadian squad that defeated Chibrikov's Russian team in the gold medal game at the 2021 IIHF Under-18 tournament.

But, Chibrikov didn't have Zhilkin - or Dmitry Kuzmin of Belarus - by his side when he spoke English to a room full of reporters, which shows an incredible amount of confidence already.

"It's step by step every day," Chibrikov said. "Everybody is good people there. It's nice to meet the new guys here. It's a very good step for me. It's a good experience for all the guys that are here."

The 5'10", 172-pound Chibrikov has a release that has drawn a reaction from the crowds at hockey for all centre already this week. Director of Player Development, Jimmy Roy, is thrilled to have Chibrikov at camp.

"He's a player we haven't seen live for the last few years. It's been a lot of video and stuff," Roy said. "Now we can physically see him and show him areas he can improve on. Whether that's foot speed, upper-body strength, things to maintain at a high-level, or overall endurance and conditioning. Those are just some personal things that you can help him with when he comes into a camp like this."

Watching those AHL games, Chibrikov noted a difference in pace from the style of game back home.

"I think the game is more faster here, but I can do my game here - smart play," he said. "It's a good game and I will show in the season."

TOUR GUIDE TYREL?

Defenceman Tyrel Bauer just finished his first season of pro hockey with the Manitoba Moose, which came following four seasons with the Western Hockey League's Seattle Thunderbirds.

In three of those seasons, Bauer wore a letter on his jersey, and that letter was a 'C' from 2020 until 2022.

That leadership has been on display this week, as his name has been mentioned more than once as someone that's helped show teammates around.

Elias Salomonsson, a fellow right-handed blue liner taken in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft, gave one of the first shoutouts.

"He's a pretty funny guy," Salomonsson grinned. "He takes good care of you."

That probably doesn't come as a surprise to goaltender Thomas Milic, who - like Salomonsson - is attending his first Jets development camp.

Milic was teammates with Bauer for parts of three seasons in Seattle. Two games in 2019-20, nine more in 2020-21, and the full 2021-22 campaign.

"I was super pumped seeing (Bauer and Brad Lambert) on the list," said Milic. "It's nice to have some familiar faces to show me the ropes here."

That's exactly what a week like this is for. Learn the ropes, learn the organization, learn about the city, and perhaps most importantly - learn about your fellow prospects.

And if Rutger McGroarty's answer to a question about who he's become fast friends with is any indication, this week of development camp is accomplishing all those things.

"(Colby) Barlow, he's a beauty. He gives me some laughs, I mean Lambo (Brad Lambert), Lush (Chaz Lucius), Bauer, everybody honestly," said McGroarty. "Fordo (Parker Ford), I'm probably forgetting a couple of guys. They're all really nice guys and they're really funny and I'm really looking forward to being with them every day."

QUICK TURNAROUND

Milic didn't know it at the time, but he was getting a glimpse of the organization that would draft him a couple weeks later when he played at Canada Life Centre in June.

He and the Thunderbirds took on the Winnipeg ICE in that championship series - which they ultimately ended up winning in five games - and by the end of the month, the Winnipeg Jets drafted Milic 151st overall in the NHL Draft.

"Honestly it feels like it was just here in Winnipeg for the Western League playoffs," said Milic, who was the WHL's top goaltender and playoff MVP. "I was pretty fortunate to be part of some great teams and have a lot of success - not only as a team, but a bit of individual success as well."

His whirlwind continues at development camp this week. Even though getting drafted is a great feeling, even after getting passed over in two previous drafts, the 20-year-old from New Westminster, BC isn't satisfied yet.

"Obviously the draft wasn't necessarily my goal, but it was the mindset of not being denied and sticking to my path," said Milic. "You can make a list of dozens of guys that are superstars in the NHL now that never got drafted or got drafted late. In my mind I'm on my own path and doing what I can each day to get to the next level."