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(Article) Canucks: How Jett Woo found his way back to big-upside prospect

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RWJC

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Canucks: How Jett Woo found his way back to big-upside prospect

 

Jett Woo regrets not making the NHL last season. This is now the year, he hopes.

 

That he is even in a position to lament how his 2022-23 season went says everything about how different his potential career looks now compared to even a year ago, when “busted prospect” was being whispered by observers of the Vancouver Canucks.

The 2021-22 season had been a struggle for the once-promising hard-rock defenceman. That was the 2018 second-round draft pick’s second professional season and it had been a struggle. He was often a healthy scratch, and when he did get in the lineup, he often skated as a forward.

 

It seemed he was roster filler, a player who was suiting up simply because there was no one else.

That was a far cry from the player the Canucks hoped would develop into mid-range defensive stalwart.

 

As a general rule, second-picks stand a very good chance of playing in the NHL, especially five years out. Seventeen of the 31 players picked in the 2018 second round have suited up for NHL contests; 22 of 31 players picked in the 2017 second round.

 

Last season, though, he got himself back on course. He wasn’t alone in that regard, as new AHL head coach Jeremy Colliton clearly brought a breath of fresh air to a squad that needed a new voice. Under Colliton, Abbotsford made the second round of the playoffs but more importantly, just about every Canucks prospect who suited up in Abbotsford got a new gleam to their potential.

 

Earlier this year Abbotsford Canucks GM Ryan Johnson said that Woo had found his identity again and thought he might even play NHL games in the 2023-24 season.

 

For his part, Woo said he was disappointed he didn’t suit up in an NHL game. It was a goal he’d set for himself coming into the season, even if the season before hadn’t gone quite as planned.

 

“I try to make goals that I know I can make and goals that are pretty far out there,” he acknowledged this week after skating with his teammates at the University of B.C., a week ahead of the beginning of the Canucks’ NHL training camp in Victora. “I know I’m someone that I strive towards things like that and I think if I make some high goals that makes puts me in a good spot.”

 

Finding NHL minutes will only happen if he puts his best foot forward, he knows. And that means staying focused on what he does best.

 

“I just got to be noticeable at camp. I got to be smart. Move pucks. Be simple. And play hard on D. Even though I got some points last year, I think the staple of my game is playing hard D and being someone they can rely on in most situations,” he said. “I grew up always playing defence-first. I know I’m someone that can that can impact the game playing D and making hits and playing smart in the D zone. And I’m someone that, you know, guys don’t want to go up against in practice and in games. So I think just keep that up and try to make that into the NHL game too.”

Woo’s self-assessment echoed what the Canucks then-director of amateur scouting Judd Brackett said after the 2018 draft.

 

“He kept pretty calculated when he joined the rush,” Bracket said at the time. “His ability to defend is what stands out.”

 

Being a right-shot defenceman helps somewhat. The Canucks have a long list of defencemen who can play on the left and who will be fighting for a call-up, but on the right side, the path to a call-up is a little clearer. If Woo doesn’t make the Canucks to start the season, he’ll likely have just a single rival on the right side of the Abbotsford blueline for an initial call-up, either Noah Juulsen, who impressed the NHL coaching staff late last season, or Matt Irwin, who the Canucks signed as a veteran depth presence this summer.

 

For Woo, the time is just about now.

At 23, he’s definitely found his man strength he said. And he’s weighing in at just a touch over 200 pounds, a size he’s very comfortable with.

“I feel fast. I feel strong,” he declared.

 

DOUBLE IT — Woo, who wore 4 last season for Abbotsford but was tentatively assigned 52 had he been called up to Vancouver last season, is set to sport No. 44 this season. “What’s better that one four? Two,” he quipped when asked about the number change.

 

pjohnston@postmedia.com

twitter.com/risingaction

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Alflives Canucks Hall-of-Famer

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28 minutes ago, Nuxfanabroad said:

What a bonus it'd be if he fit the QH pairing like a glove!

Hughes has proven he can carry his pairing providing his partner plays a smart game. Woo plays a very smart game. IMHAO he starts the season on Hughes’ pairing. Hronek and Cole are second pairing. And Soucy Myers is our third pairing. 

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Ted Lasso Canucks Second-Line

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1 hour ago, Nuxfanabroad said:

What a bonus it'd be if he fit the QH pairing like a glove!

 

36 minutes ago, Alflives said:

Hughes has proven he can carry his pairing providing his partner plays a smart game. Woo plays a very smart game. IMHAO he starts the season on Hughes’ pairing. Hronek and Cole are second pairing. And Soucy Myers is our third pairing. 


Same age as Quinn, internally developed, affordable contract, has wheels and smarts, hits and gets under opponents skin.

 

43 & 44 would be amazing, and this has to be my favourite hot take @Alflives

 

Hope our development staff are doing everything they can to give this a chance.

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