Canucks prospect Jett Woo could make his pro debut this April
After signing an amateur tryout contract with the Utica Comets on Tuesday, it shouldn’t be long before Jett Woo makes his professional hockey debut.
That is, unless an injury delays it.
An 18-year-old Canucks prospect with a kick-ass name, Woo is coming off an excellent season with the Moose Jaw Warriors this season, finishing fifth in scoring among WHL defencemen with 66 points (12-54-66) in 62 games.
As the best right-shot rearguard in their prospect pool, a lot is riding on Woo, who was picked by the Canucks in the second-round (37th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft. So far, the returns are encouraging, as the rugged defenceman boosted his point totals significantly from his injury-plagued draft year.
See also
- Vancouver Canucks sign goaltender Jake Kielly to entry-level contract
- Rookie defenceman Quinn Hughes shines in Canucks debut
- Canucks defence prospect Jett Woo beginning to pile up points in WHL
Despite his age, at 6-foot-0 and 203 pounds, Woo is certainly big enough for the more physically demanding challenges the AHL will present. It’s likely to be just a quick glimpse of pro hockey for him though, as with only six games left in the regular season, the Comets are a long shot to make the playoffs.
Due to the NHL/CHL agreement, Woo must return to his junior team next season if he doesn’t make the Canucks.
Jett Woo on the ice at #Comets practice pic.twitter.com/580rdYxn02
— Eyewitness Sports (@CNYSports) April 2, 2019
Woo was on the ice at practice on Tuesday, and could suit up as soon as Friday when Utica hosts the Toronto Marlies.
Complicating matters is that Woo reportedly left practice with an apparent injury and wasn’t made available to speak the media in Utica. He certainly wouldn’t be the first Canucks prospect to suffer a cruel beginning to his career.
Woo actually left practice early with some sort of injury, not available to speak with media
— Eyewitness Sports (@CNYSports) April 2, 2019
Also joining the Comets are defenceman Mitch Eliot, a Canucks free agent signing in December who just completed his final junior season with the Sarnia Sting, and forward Mitch Vanderlaan, who joins Utica after completing his senior year at Cornell University.