WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Jets cut Manitoba native Ian White on Friday and assigned 10 more of their prospects to their American Hockey League affiliate.
White, a 29-year-old unrestricted free agent, was on a professional tryout deal with the Jets after spending a couple of seasons in Detroit. He appeared to be a casualty of the talent the Jets already have in their own system.
“Our young players have looked like they are capable,” said Jets coach Claude Noel. “We want to … put them in a situation where we take a look at our own people and go in that direction.”
The Jets are still taking a look at 18-year-old defenceman Josh Morrissey, who was selected with the 13th overall pick in this year’s draft. He hasn’t looked out of place in pre-season games where he seen action and he impressed Noel in Thursday’s loss to the Minnesota Wild.
“I thought he was very good in the game, he was excellent in the game,” Noel said. “He plays with a lot of passion. He’s a guy that has earned the right to be here today.”
Morrissey credits his hockey sense and skating ability for keeping him camp and letting him deal with bigger, stronger players.
“I think maybe my hockey sense helps me with that, slipping off checks and never really getting tagged — knock on wood — so far,” he said.
The coach wants to see a better effort from the entire team when the Jets face the Wild again Saturday in Minnesota.
“We’re going to focus on being better,” he said. “We need to play with more energy and that’s what we need to focus on.”
The Jets played their top two lines and the Wild left some key players at home.
“We didn’t play anywhere close to our capabilities,” said defenceman Zach Bogosian. “It is early and we’re still working out our kinks but last night wasn’t the effort that we needed.”
