Lambert confident and eager to prove himself with Jets

Brad Lambert may have waited longer than he would've liked before his name was called at the 2022 NHL Draft, but it just means the Winnipeg Jets have added another motivated player to the organization.
One with tremendous upside, and one with something to prove.
"It's an unbelievable feeling to get your name called," said Lambert, who played for JYP and the Pelicans in the Finnish Liiga this season, recording four goals and 10 points in 49 games.
"At the end of the day I might have fell to 30, but I can go back up just as quick," he said. "I think I have the skill and speed. I think I have one of the best skill sets in the draft. I believe in my skill, so I believe I can go back up there next year."

As the first round went on at the Bell Centre, Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff started to think that Lambert might be available at 30th overall, which was Winnipeg's second first-round pick of the night.
It was almost tough for him to believe, especially given where the Jets had Lambert ranked.
"Things like this always happen. You've got a guy higher on your list and you're waiting to see, waiting to see, waiting to see," said Cheveldayoff. "We think he's the best skater in the draft. He's played over in a European men's league, which is tough.
"We've seen that with other players as well. It's hard for young players to get different kinds of opportunities to accentuate their talents over there. But the positive is he's played with men. He knows what it's like to play in a men's organization and a men's league."
Lambert is the nephew of Lane Lambert, who was named the head coach of the New York Islanders on May 16. His father, Ross, played one season with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League in 1982-83, racking up 106 points in 71 games.
"He's been huge in my career. He's the reason I am where I am," said Lambert. "Whether it's learning how to skate or watching video with me now. His advice was it doesn't matter where I go today, it's what I do after that."
And there are options on the table. He's no longer under contract in Finland, and his WHL rights are with the Seattle Thunderbirds, thanks to a trade just over a week ago.
"We'll get a chance to talk to him and his family and I'm sure we'll come up with what will be right for his long-term development," said Cheveldayoff. "The hard work begins now. It doesn't matter where you get drafted, what number or where you go, the fact is that you were recognized for your talents and now it's all about the future and that's what it's all about."

That's exactly the attitude the six-foot, 183 pound forward has.
"The only thing that matters is what I do from here on forward," he said. "Anyone in this draft can be a boom or a bust. Work ethic and stuff like that is what is going to get you to be a boom player."
His efforts at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship are an example of what he's capable of. He had four points in seven games to help Finland to a bronze medal, but COVID-19 ended his opportunity to build on that performance in the 2022 event.
"(He) didn't get a chance to show itself there because I think - and fortunately for us maybe - because I think that might have been his coming-out party, just based on the early returns there," said Cheveldayoff. "Again, a great opportunity for the Jets organization."
And it's a great opportunity for Lambert, who can't wait to get started.
"I'm very excited to play in North America. I think my game is more suited for the North American ice and the North American game," Lambert said. "You know, fast transition player, makes the game fast, likes the play the game fast and I think that's definitely going to help me (adjust) to the North American game, whenever that is."