Jets Win Big With Jacob Trouba

The Winnipeg Jets select Jacob Trouba ninth overall in 2012.
(Photo Courtesy Yahoo! Sports)

When the International Scouting Service handed out their May 30th, 2012 rankings, Rochester, Minnesota native Jacob Trouba was ranked fifth ahead of the likes of Matt Dumba, Rielly Morgan, and Griffin Reinhart.

However, Central Scouting ranked him ninth behind those same defensemen.

Whatever the ranking, the Jets have won big with selecting the big, hard hitting American defenseman.

Trouba had 18 points in 22 games with the US U-18 Team.
(Photo Courtesy Yahoo! Sports)

Through 22 games with the United Stats Under-18 Development Team, Trouba was able to collect 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in his second season with the team.

Trouba at 6'2, 193 lbs, is committed to play for the Michigan Wolverines next season, under legendary head coach and former NHLer Red Berenson while his OHL rights belong to the Kitchener Rangers.

Again, the Jets have seemed to selected a player who has both skill, size, and great character.

According to michiganhockey.net, Trouba is a man of his word.

"When the highly touted defensive prospect is ready to make his decision whether to play in the OHL for the Kitchener Rangers — who hold his CHL rights –  or the NCAA, there won’t be any late de-commitments or promises broken. 

'That’s sort of why I haven’t (committed), because I don’t want to make a commitment and then back down from it.'" (michiganhockey.net, 09/27/2011)

Showing how much of a physical edge the big defenseman plays with, TSN was showing a video of an eleven year-old Trouba levelling an opponent while playing in a game in Sweden.

On a team that needs to stock up on physical and defensively sound defensemen, Trouba is a big win for the Jets organization.

Already with an influx of offensive defensemen - Postma, Redmond, Bogosian, Enstrom, Byfuglien to name a few - Trouba will be able to add a defensively minded aspect to the Jets back end.

However, with his commitment to Michigan upcoming, there will be a growing period for the young defenseman as he will take the proper time to develop to be an impact player in a Jets uniform.

Again, the Jets win big with a good skilled player that has a positive attitude Jets brass looks for.