A look at the top prospects of Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League
Columbus Blue Jackets will get a boost as they have got very promising prospects in this season, led by Ryan Murray, who was selected second in the first round of the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft.
They will definitely acquire some help from Springfield Falcons, their affiliates in the American Hockey League (AHL) who have got few of the best defensemen in the league, who are also ready to get going in NHL.
Here is a list of few of the top prospects of Blue Jackets, who we can expect to shine in coming season.
1. Ryan Murray
The Canadian defenseman is surely the best prospect of Blue Jackets for the coming season. Murray started to shine at the very early age when he was picked ninth in the Western Hockey League (WHL) Bantam draft in 2008. Later, he became of the youngest captains
in the league at the same team.
The White City, Saskatchewan, born player could not play any game in the 2008-2009 season but made an instant impact after making his WHL debut in 2009. He played 52 games in the first season and scored 22 assists and five goals for a total of 27 points
and followed it up by even better performance in next season by scoring 46 points, 40 assists and six goals in 70 games of 2010-2011 season.
According to Director of Amateur Scouting, Tyler Wright, the 6-foot-0, 198 pounder has got many qualities which make him special as he said,
"For a defenseman the qualities that he brings to the table – composure, leadership abilities, and obviously his hockey sense – it sets him apart from other guys and it's obviously why we think so highly of him."
2. Jonathan Audy-Marchessault
Jonathan Audy-Marchessault, the Canadian forward, unexpectedly went undrafted but was later signed by New York Rangers’ affiliates Connecticut Whales in 2011. Before that, he had spent four years in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), playing for
Quebec Remparts.
The Cap-Rouge, Quebec born player started his career with Remparts in 2007-2008 season and was one of the prominent players in the first season by scoring 10 goals, 10 assists and total of 20 points in 56 games. His performance kept getting better with years
and the number of points he scored kept increasing.
With 53 points in the second season, 71 in the third and 95 in the fourth, his performance lead him to a call from Whales and later from Blue Jackets who signed him for three years in 2012.
3. Boone Jenner
Boone Jenner is a Canadian forward who plays in the position of a Centre and was drafted 37th overall in the 2nd round of the 2011 NHL draft.
Playing for Oshawa Generals in the OHL for last four seasons, the Mossley, Ontario born player has been a very high scoring member of Generals’ team as he has scored 98 assists and 66 goals for a total of 164 points in 171 games.
Wright also had good things to say about him as he said,
"He's got impeccable work ethic. You see it in his ability to play a 200-foot game, both offensively and defensively. He takes a lot of pride in blocking shots, working on the PK, faceoffs. All those intangibles make him the kind of prospect who could challenge
for a spot."
4. Anton Forsberg
Anton Forsberg is a Swedish goaltender who was selected 188th overall in the last round of the 2011 NHL draft. The 19-year-old is currently playing for MODO Hockey team in Sweden.
Though he is young and representing junior hockey team back in his home country but according to Wright, he is a good athlete and they are excited about him.
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