Thursday 6 October 2011

Postma among last Jets cuts, 5 WHL teens make jump

Tough to see Paul Postma, who set a Calgary Hitmen franchise record in the 2008/09 season for goals by a defenceman with 23, among the last cuts this week by the Winnipeg Jets.  Postma, now 22-years-old played in four preseason games with the Winnipeg Jets where he racked up five points (2g, 3a). Last season he appeared in his first-ever NHL game with the Atlanta Thrashers and played 69 games with the Chicago Wolves for 45 points (12g, 33a) and 20 penalty minutes.  Safe to say Posma is on a short list for a recall to the Jets this season.
I see the NHL has released its opening day rosters for the 2011/12 season with five WHL teenagers poised to make the jump at least for now...
1)    19-year-old Ryan Johanson is on the Columbus rosters.  He piled up 92 pts in 63 games for the Portland Winterhawks last season plus nine more points in seven games for Team Canada at the 2011 World Juniors.
2)    18-year-old Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has made the Edmonton Oilers.  He'll wear #93 with the Oilers and is coming off a 106 point season with the Red Deer Rebels appearing in 69 games.
3)    19-year-old Brett Bulmer will start the season with Minnesota.  Bulmer has played the last two seasons with the Kelowna Rockets grabbing 49 pts in 57 games in the WHL a year ago.
4)    19-year-old Nino Niederreiter is on the New York Islander injured reserve list (groin).  After starting the season a year ago in New York the talented Swiss returned to Portland where he amassed 70 pts in 55 games.  He also added four pts in six games for Switzerland at 2011 World Juniors.
5)    19-year-old Brett Connolly is in sunny south Florida with the Tampa Bay Lightning.  After fighting hip injuries Connolly was mainly healthy for the Prince George Cougars last season where he recorded 73 pts in 59 games.  He also added three assists for Team Canada at World Juniors.

One other note, former Hitmen power forward Ryan White has made Montreal but will start the season on injured reserve (groin).

No comments:

Post a Comment