The Winnipeg Jets have drafted goaltender Thomas Milic 151st overall.
The succession plan is officially underway in Winnipeg.
On Thursday afternoon, the Jets selected netminder Thomas Milic with their second of two fifth-round picks. Just minutes after choosing Jacob Julien at No. 146, general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff announced Milic five spots later.
With current Jets backstop Connor Hellebuyck reportedly at a crossroads with the team, the prospect pool has officially widened with the choice of Milic.
A star for the WHL champion Seattle Thunderbirds, the overager led his team to the Western League's crown on a .933 save percentage and 1.95 goals against average in the 2023 postseason, which was just a few decimal points off his regular season numbers.
He picked up 27 wins in each of the past two seasons, while suiting up in an incredible 44 playoff games.
Those still unfamiliar with his work may be reminded of his skillset when thinking back on the 2023 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. The New Westminster, BC product backstopped Canada to a perfect 5-0-0 record, while earning the gold medal on a 1.76 goals against average and a .933 save percentage.
Milic's list of accomplishments from the 2022-23 WHL season include:
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Hellebuyck, who very well may be dealt as the coming weeks roll on, was also a fifth-round pick, albeit No. 130 overall back in 2012.
Milic, 20, will now look to take over the No. 1 goaltending prospect title from North Bay Battalion backstop Domenic DiVincentiis, who earned the OHL Goaltender of the Year award last month.
Winnipeg's full list of players selected at the 2023 NHL Draft:
No. 18: Colby Barlow
No. 82: Zach Nehring
No. 146: Jacob Julien
No. 151: Thomas Milic
No. 210: Connor Levis