Jets Prospects show compete, skill and chemistry in Quebec

GATINEAU – With so little preparation time, it’s usually special teams that struggle most at a prospect tournament.

That wasn’t the case for the Winnipeg Jets this weekend in Quebec. Even in Sunday’s 6-4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg’s talent was on full display. The Jets scored three power-play goals and added a shorthanded marker, showing plenty of confidence and execution on special teams.

“I think the power play was good. I think you can look a little bit into some of the skill level that’s out there. You know, Björck, Freij, Yager, Gustafsson, I could go on and on,” said head coach Mark Morrison.

“It just seems that there’s the right pieces there in terms of net-front and flanks. I thought they moved the puck really well and created a lot of chances.”

Jacob Julien, a 2023 fifth-round pick, could throw his name into the mix as well. The 22-year-old got the Jets on the scoreboard Sunday, using some nifty hands to tip a Lukas Gustafsson point shot past Leafs goaltender Patriks Plumins to tie the game in the first period. Julien’s net-front presence was one of the more noticeable aspects of his game throughout the afternoon.

“I think he continues to take another step. He has a really good stick,” said Morrison.

“Very smart hockey player, creates a lot of plays by using his knowledge out there. Liked what I saw, for sure, with Julien, and played well both games.”

Julien is coming off his first pro season with the Manitoba Moose and is looking to use his size (6’4”, 181 pounds) a lot more in year two in the AHL.

“It’s part of the game, right,” said Julien.

“Any time I can separate the man from the puck, that’s what I’m going to do. “

Another player who really stood out this weekend was Davis Burnside, who wrapped up his college career at Ohio State last season. The 22-year-old served as captain of the Buckeyes before joining the Moose in the spring, and now he’s looking to earn a spot in the AHL. Burnside skated on the same line as Viggo Björck on both Saturday and Sunday, and the two showed some good chemistry.

“He’s unbelievable. Just the way he plays speaks for itself. You see all the highlights and then can’t wait to play with him. It’s something that I don’t really get to do often,” said Burnside.

“I don’t think I’ve ever really played with a player like that before. He just makes plays, he’s poised, and a ton of fun on the bench, too. He’s awesome.”

You can understand Burnside’s enthusiasm about playing with the Jets 2026 first round pick, especially after the between the leg’s feed Björck gave the American forward for his shorthanded tally in the second.

“I was calling for it but didn’t know he was going to go between the legs and add a little flash there,” said Burnside.

“That just shows his vision. An unbelievable play by him.”

Even though Winnipeg didn’t leave this year’s prospect tournament unbeaten like they did last year, they showed plenty of fight. The Jets trailed 5-2 late in the game before Lucas Wahlin and Kieron Walton scored back-to-back power-play goals to pull Winnipeg within one at 5-4.

“Besides the first five minutes of the hockey game, I thought for the next 55 we competed really hard,” said Morrison.

“Created lots of chances. I think we had enough chances to win the hockey game. Sometimes that’s the way it goes.”

Morrison was also very impressed with the weekend as a whole, especially with the way his group bonded in a short time frame.

“The idea is this is to prepare everybody for where they’re going. A lot of them are going to Jets main camp, a lot of them are going back to junior,” said Morrison.

“A lot of them are coming to Moose camp. It’s for them to prepare themselves, and I think those two games did a really good job of that.”