Jets make four selections on Day 2 at the NHL Draft

NASHVILLE -The 2023 NHL Draft wrapped up on Thursday and the Winnipeg Jets had four picks on the final day.

Round 3, Pick 82 - Zach Nehring RW 6'3" 182 Shattuck - St. Mary's Prep

Nehring, a right-winger who spent the last five seasons at Shattuck - St. Mary's, scored 39 times and had 85 points in the 2022-23 campaign. The product of Minot, ND, has connections north of the border as well. His mother and his grandparents hail from Manitoba.

Mark Hillier, Winnipeg Jets Director of amateur scouting on Nehring: "Kind of a raw kid at this point, but we see a lot of upside there. He's got power-forward tendencies. He's a big kid, 6-foot-3, he's got to fill out and get stronger. He's going to go for a year in the USHL in Sioux Falls and then off to college to Western Michigan after that, so we've got some long runway there. He played at a great program at Shattuck. Really excited about his possibilities."

Round 5, Pick 146 - Jacob Julien C 6'4" 181 London (OHL)

The tallest of Winnipeg's four selections on Thursday, Jacob Julien got his first taste of Ontario Hockey League action this season after starting the campaign with the London Nationals of the GOJHL.

Hillier: "Bit of a late bloomer. He's an '04-born player. Started the year in Junior B in London. After I think about 20 games in that range, he went up to the London Knights. Played more and more as the season went on. Really think there is good upside and possibility there. London Knights are one of the best organizations in the league (OHL). Mark and Dale (Hunter) produce players, make players. Really confident he's going to develop there next year."

Round 5, Pick 151 - Thomas Milic G 6'0" 179 Seattle (WHL)

It's likely easier to ask what goaltender Thomas Milic didn't accomplish this season. He helped the Seattle Thunderbirds to a Western Hockey League title - along with fellow Jets prospect Brad Lambert - and was named the league's top goaltender, MVP of the playoffs, and had the league's best goals-against average (2.08) and save percentage (.928). On top of that, he helped Canada to a gold medal at the 2023 World Junior Championship.

Hillier: "He's one of those kids that I have the feeling he's not going to be denied. He's a 19-year-old. Traditionally goalies are bigger these days. He's a little over six-foot, but he's one of those kids that has had success after success. He won the World Junior, he almost won the Memorial Cup, his stats are off the charts in the league. He's one of those kids that has put in a tremendous amount of work. He's a draft and sign guy, he'll turn pro right away. We have Dom DiVincentiis coming next year. I think our goaltending looks good in the future."

Round 7, Pick 210 - Connor Levis RW 6'1" 187 Kamloops (WHL)

The 18-year-old just finished his third season with the Kamloops Blazers, putting up career-highs in every offensive category. The forward also got to play in the Memorial Cup with Kamloops hosting, scoring once and adding three assists in four games.

Hillier: "He's a 6'2" big kid, big winger. He had 27 goals and I think it was 40 assists. So, 67 points in 68 games. He played all the games, he's a durable player. The skating probably has to come a little bit and it will as he gets stronger and develops. We just thought it was really good value in the seventh round."