2011 Winnipeg Jets NHL Draft Picks
The 2011 NHL Entry Draft is completed, and all seven rounds are in the books. Before we look ahead to free agency in the National Hockey League, let’s take a look at a team by team synopsis of all of this year’s draft picks. Find out who they are, what to expect from them, and when you can expect to see them putting on a sweater in the NHL. Also, each team will be graded on their overall performance during the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Let’s find out who the Winnipeg Jets drafted, after the jump.
Bryan Vickroy
Here are the seven players drafted by the Winnipeg Jets at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Mark Scheifele (Rd 1, 7th overall)
| C | CAN | 6′ 2″ | 184 | OHL | Barrie |
Playmaking forward who has flourished since being converted from a defenseman. Had a great performance for Team Canada at the most recent World Juniors. Good size and vision alow him to find the open teammate. Great personality will make him the face of the new Jets for years to come.
Estimated Arrival: 2011-12
Adam Lowry (Rd 3, 67th overall)
| LW | USA | 6′ 4″ | 187 | WHL | Swift Current |
Father played nearly two decades in the NHL and is now a coach in the league. Big body who can play down low and get to rebounds and convert them into goals. Not afraid to throw his frame around, or throw some punches. Needs to add size and strength to excel in the future.
Estimated Arrival: 2013-14
| Brennan Serville (Rd 3, 78th overall) |
| D | CAN | 6′ 3″ | 184 | OJHL | Stouffville |
Big bodied, defenseman who can move the puck up ice. Finds open teammates, and is a very smart passer. Must show that his skills translate against more talented players. Will play for the Michigan Wolverines this fall.
Estimated Arrival: 2014-15
| Zachary Yuen (Rd 4, 119th overall) |
| D | CAN | 6′ 0″ | 196 | WHL | Tri-City |
Skilled defenseman both with the puck and on the piano. Great skater who can contribute offensively, and also shut down opponents top lines. Good one on one defender, and great plus/minus stats during his career.
Estimated Arrival: 2013-14
Austen Brassard (Rd 5, 149th overall)
| RW | CAN | 6′ 2″ | 188 | OHL | Belleville |
Strong, big bodied forward who is willing to play a physicaly game, as well as use his offensive flair. Was forced to carried the majority of the offensive load for a very poor team. Showed mental toughness and resilience dealing with a trade from a championship team to a team where he was arguably the best player.
Estimated Arrival: 2014-15
Jason Kasdorf (Rd 6, 157th overall)
| G | CAN | 6′ 3″ | 178 | MJHL | Portage |
Homegrown player who will help Jets build a local talent base. Big body, and has the ability to drop to the ice and move laterally with ease. Posted very good numbers for a championship team. Will play college hockey at RPI this upcoming season.
Estimated Arrival: 2015-16
Aaron Harstad (Rd 7, 187th overall)
| D | USA | 6′ 2″ | 199 | USHL | Green Bay |
Big, physical defenseman who isn’t afraid to fight. Limited offensive abilities, but is strong in his own end. Must play with more discipline and avoid taking costly penatlies. Can unleash a heavy shot from the blueline. Originally from Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Will play for Colorado College in the fall.
Estimated Arrival: 2015-16
Synopsis
While the Jets may have reached a little with their first pick, Scheifele’s stock has been rising all year long. They also managed to grab quite a few top ranked players as they slid down the draft. Expect at least a couple of them to make it to the big club within the next couple years. No matter how the draft picks turn out, this draft will be considered a 100% success to anybody in Manitoba. NHL hockey is officially back in town. And more importantly to the fans, they got their beloved Winnipeg Jets back. No matter what the colors or logo or players, the chant of “Go! Jets! Go!” will be heard for years and years to come.
Grade: B
Bryan Vickroy has an addiction to hockey, and is willing to partake in all its forms. He is skating extra shifts for The Sports Bank, covering the Minnesota Wild, the NHL, and NCAA hockey all year long. Look for new articles throughout the week. He can be followed on Twitter at @bryanvickroy. If you’d prefer to speak in more than 140 characters at a time to him, he can be reached at bryan.vickroy@gmail.com .