Nikolaj Ehlers, Nic Petan crack Jets' roster
The Winnipeg Jets will have a pair of rookies making their NHL debuts Thursday.
Nikolaj Ehlers and Nic Petan are both set to hit the ice as the Jets head to TD Garden to face the Boston Bruins.
Ehlers, the ninth overall pick in 2014, will start on the second line with Mark Scheifele and Mathieu Perreault. The 19-year-old revealed head coach Paul Maurice gave him the news earlier in the week.
"It's funny. He told me on the ice and while he told me, he had a serious face. I tried to keep mine (serious) as well, but I just had to smile," Ehlers said. "I'm happy."
Meanwhile, Petan has been informed he will start the season on the fourth line while spending time on the second power play unit. The 20-year-old recorded two points in six preseason games.
"The past few nights, not much sleep but now, knowing a little bit more, I've just got to stay focused and have the same mindset as coming into camp," said Petan. "For me to be consistent, I've got to play good defensively, stick to the basics, stay simple and not try to do too much."
Petan will be joined by another rookie, Andrew Copp, on the fourth line. Copp recorded an assist in his first and only NHL game last season against the Calgary Flames.
The Jets have one more cut to make prior to Thursday's season opener.