The Winnipeg Jets are returning to the 2024 Young Stars Classic in Penticton, B.C. The four-day tournament runs from September 13th to 16th and includes four teams. Joining the Winnipeg Jets are the Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, and the Edmonton Oilers.
This is the ninth time that the Winnipeg Jets have taken part in the Young Stars Classic since returning to Winnipeg. They did not participate in the 2012 due to the NHL lockout and 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Jets begin their three-game run against the Calgary Flames on Friday, September 13th at 6:00 pm CST. They follow it up with a break on Saturday and a 4:00 pm CST start on Sunday, September 15th. They close the tournament on Monday, September 16th against the Edmonton Oilers with a 1:00 pm CST game.
The team is highlighted by Brad Lambert, Danny Zhilkin, Nikita Chibrikov, Chaz Lucius, Brayden Yager, Elias Salomonsson, and Thomas Milic. Lucius and Zhilkin return to the Jets franchise after the pair suffered season-ending injuries in 2023-24.
The team returns with a goaltending duo of Thomas Milic and Domenic DiVincentiis. Milic is coming off a strong rookie season with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL while DiVincentiis is turning pro and likely starting in the ECHL with the Norfolk Admirals.
On defence, the team is led by Elias Salomonsson, Dmitry Kuzmin, Dylan Anhorn*, Dawson Barteaux*, Ben Zloty*, Graham Sward*, and Hunter Mayo*.
Upfront, the team has a lot of firepower: Brayden Yager, Daniel Torgersson, Kevin He^, Colby Barlow, Chaz Lucius, Henri Nikkanen, Danny Zhilkin, Markus Loponen^, Jacob Julien, Connor Levis, Kieron Walton^, Carson Golder*, Ben King*, Nikita Chibrikov, Mark Liwiski*, Brad Lambert & Luke Mistelbacher*
*free agent invite, ^unsigned draft pick
Players to Watch:
In the tournament, there are a ton of players to watch. These are my players to watch as the Winnipeg Jets head into the 2024 Young Stars Classic.
2021 First-Rounder Chaz Lucius
2022 Third-Rounder Danny Zhilkin
2022 Second-Rounder Elias Salomonsson
College Free Agent Dylan Anhorn
2023 Fifth-Rounder Thomas Milic
2018 Sixth-Rounder Dawson Barteaux
2023 First-Rounder Brayden Yager
Who’s Returning, Who’s Not, and Who’s New?
Last year’s Young Stars Classic roster looked a little different compared to this year, the Jets are choosing to take 17 forwards compared to 13 last year. They’re also taking seven defencemen compared to the eight they took last year complimented by the same goaltending duo.
Not Returning: Parker Ford, Thomas Caron, Simon Kubicek, Wyatt Wilson, Jordan Tourigny, Artemi Kniazev, Simon Lundmark, and Tyrel Bauer.
Who’s Returning: Elias Salomonsson, Dmitry Kuzmin, Domenic DiVincentiis, Thomas Milic, Colby Barlow, Daniel Torgersson, Chaz Lucius, Henri Nikkanen, Danny Zhilkin, Jacob Julien, Connor Levis, Carson Golder, Nikita Chibrikov, Mark Liwiski, Brad Lambert,
Who’s New: Brayden Yager, Kevin He, Markus Loponen, Kieron Walton, Ben King, Luke Mistelbacher, Dylan Anhorn, Dawson Barteaux, Ben Zloty, Graham Sward, and Hunter Mayo.
All games are live-streamed on WinnipegJets.com free of charge.
