Jugnauth has 27 points in 27 games since moving from the NCAA to the WHL.

Tyson Jugnauth has been nothing short of dominant since he joined the Portland Winterhawks in December. The Seattle Kraken prospect has recorded 27 points in 27 games and has helped the Winterhawks become the first team in the Western Conference to clinch a playoff spot. While his journey to the WHL was unconventional, it is safe to say it has worked out well for both him and Portland. 

After starting his career in the BCHL, Jugnauth joined the University of Wisconsin ahead of the 2022-23 season. After a successful first season, he struggled to get ice time and decided to make the move to the WHL. As he explains, it was a tough decision to leave the NCAA but one that he felt would help his overall.

"It was a long process, said Jugnauth." We kind of went back and forth on it. Should I stay? Should I go? At the end of the day, it was my development. I wanted to play more, and it just wasn't happening in Wisconsin, so I decided to make the change to Portland."

Transitioning from the NCAA to the WHL does take some time. The game is played differently, and players need to readjust to playing against younger competition. As Jugnauth describes, it took some time, but he has gotten back into the groove of playing junior hockey. 

"It's definitely a different league. One big thing is the age difference. You got 16-year-olds here, and then in college, you got some 18, but mostly like 20 to 25-year-olds. Playing against men with bigger bodies is definitely tough. I've noticed here is the high-end skill. You've got to be really aware of out there because there's some really good players in this league."

One benefit of Jugnauth joining Portland is that the Kraken are just a few hours away by car rather than across the country. This allows scouts and management to meet with him more often. While they would still visit him at the University of Wisconsin, being on the West Coast makes him more accessible to the organization. 

"It's definitely nice. They get to see me a lot, and I get to be around them a little more. It's not a huge difference as they still came and saw me in Wisconsin, but you know, it's definitely nice to be close."

Since returning to the WHL, Jugnauth has helped the Winterhawks take their game to another level. They are 21-5-1 with him in the lineup and have scored 10+ goals multiple times. As he explains, the team is clicking, which should help them in their quest for a Memorial Cup berth. 

"I think we've got a really good offensive team. You can see the depth in our lineup. We can score with our fourth line, we can score with our first line, we can score with anyone. I think that's gonna be really big for us. We get Spoony (Jan Špunar) back between the pipes. He's been an amazing goalie, so it helps a lot. We've got a lot of skilled guys on this team who can put the puck in the net. It's about getting the puck in those guys' hands and letting them work. Making those plays, and all of a sudden, you score ten goals just like that."

On top of on-ice success, Portland has created a strong culture off the ice. Jugnauth has come to appreciate this as he spends as much time as possible with his teammates during their free time. Moving teams mid-season can be difficult, but based on his description, the team welcomed him in with open arms as he enjoys every minute of being a Winterhawk. 

"I'm super grateful Portland decided that they would take me in, and I've loved every second of being here and hopefully go on a long run. The guys have been amazing here. I clicked with the team right away when I got here. I love the guys, hanging out all the time, at the rink, at the golf course, anything. The guys have been unreal, and I want to go to bat with them every day."

Overall, Jugnauth's decision to join the WHL looks like a genius move. He is thriving in his role and on a team with a real shot of winning the Ed Chynoweth Cup. Even if he is just one and done, it is safe to say he has impacted the WHL and is showing why he was the BCHL's Top Defenceman in 2022. 

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