The Winnipeg Jets have selected forward prospect Nikolaj Ehlers with the No. 9 in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
NHL Draft 2014: Winnipeg Jets select Nikolaj Ehlers with No. 9 overall pick
The Winnipeg Jets have selected forward prospect Nikolaj Ehlers with the No. 9 in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
Derek Leung
Ehlers, 18, spent last season with the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Selected with the No. 6 overall pick in the CHL import draft, Ehlers had played for HC Biel of the National League A in varying capacities since 2007-08 (beginning at the Mini B level for U15 and culminating in 11 games with the major club before transferring to the CHL).
Ehlers made a dramatic impact for the Mooseheads, registering 104 points (49 goals and 55 assists) in 63 games while playing alongside Tampa Bay Lightning prospect, Jonathan Drouin (selected No. 3 overall in the 2013 NHL Draft). The successful season resulted in Ehlers being named the QMJHL rookie of the year in addition to being awarded the QMJHL Mike Bossy Trophy as the top professional prospect in the league. His totals in all three primary offensive categories were the most by any rookie in the QMJHL over the 2013-14 season.
Listed at 5’11, 162 pounds, Ehlers is considered a creative forward with exceptional hockey sense by the ISS:
Ehlers had an outstanding 1st year in NA scoring over 100 points in the regular season with the Mooseheads along side Jonathan Drouin. He followed up this performance with a strong play-off performance, scoring 11 goals and 17 assists in just 16 games. He played a lot of hockey in 2013-14, playing in all situations, this showed in his play in the last few games of the play-offs when he seemed to run out of a little gas. Ehlers’ game is all about puck possession, creativity and no fear adittude [sic]. He loves to dangle and take the puck into traffic or beat defenders wide with speed. He also has the ability to draw defenders to him and place perfect passes onto a team mate’s stick in scoring position.
Ehlers finished the 2013-14 season ranked as the No. 11 overall prospect by the ISS.
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