Prospects reflect on a memorable week at Jets Development Camp

WINNIPEG -At the start of this week's Winnipeg Jets Development Camp, the team's Director of Player Development - Jimmy Roy - spoke about the importance of developing relationships.

If Colby Barlow's experience speaks for the 29 other players at the camp, that goal was achieved.

"It feels like I've known these guys for 10 years, and I've only been here for six days," said Barlow after Saturday's final skate. "It was a great camp for everybody to learn and get to know each other. I made a lot of new friendships."

Along the way, there were on-ice lessons and off-ice bonding trips that provided a lot of memories for the players.

For Barlow, who has had a crazy few weeks from the NHL Combine to getting chosen 18th overall by the Jets at the NHL Draft, this week's camp made him feel more part of the organization than simply putting on a jersey and a hat.

"It's been a whirlwind but it's starting to set in - now that I've been on the ice, working out with the guys - it's been great," said Barlow. "I have a lot of work to do this summer, but it's exciting though. I'll be pushing myself to be the best player and person I can be."

The dynamic between the players was interesting to observe over the last few days at hockey for all centre. With birth years ranging from 1999 to 2005, everyone is at a different point in their career.

"Some guys are nervous, we've all been there," said defenceman Tyrel Bauer, who played his first American Hockey League season with the Manitoba Moose in 2022-23. "We're just trying to make everybody feel comfortable no matter what happened with the draft, or anything like that. When you come here, everybody is equal. That's the environment we want to set for each other."

It's not surprising to hear Bauer speak in such a way. Leadership is something that seems to come naturally to the 6'3" 207-pound product of Cochrane, AB. He wore a letter for three of his four seasons with the Seattle Thunderbirds, and was captain for the final two of those.

His name has also been mentioned a number of times throughout the week by a number of prospects as someone they've developed a friendship with.

"It's about trying to build a relationship with every guy," said Bauer. "It's an opportunity to get some face time and start to build that culture. It really starts at these things when you're young. Everybody wants to be a Winnipeg Jet one day. The closer we can get now and kind of start to build that chemistry - it will go a long way in the future."

As will all the interactions the players had with the fans this week. It wasn't uncommon this week to see Barlow, Bauer, Rutger McGroarty, Logan Neaton, and Thomas Milic (just to name a few) posing for photos, signing autographs, and chatting with those who came to watch the on-ice sessions.

"It's really important to give back. They're the backbone of this," said Barlow. "It's special to see them and the smiles on their faces."

There were some familiar faces in that crowd for forward Zach Nehring. Winnipeg's second-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft hails from Minot, North Dakota, but has a lot of family in Manitoba.

"My grandparents, mom, and sister came out," he said. "It was awesome to be in Winnipeg again. I haven't been here in a couple years."

Nehring took his time walking down the aisle that separates the final sheet of ice used that day and the dressing room he's been in all week. He wanted to take in every opportunity to meet the fans that helped make this week so special.

"It just shows the support we have here in Winnipeg. It's incredible," he said. "They filled out the rink today and it was just battle drills. I can't imagine what it's going to be like to play in the rink some day. You have to show your care and love for them too because they're coming out to support you."

If there was a checklist for everything that a development camp is supposed to accomplish, no line on that list would be unchecked after these five days.

The prospects had a chance to meet each other, the staff, and develop relationships.

They got to interact with the fan base they hope to play in front of one day.

They learned about all the aspects of being a pro - from nutrition, to mental health, and everything in between.

And, they got to see the city and experience it, creating memories that brought them closer together.

One of those memories was an escape room on Friday, one day before the final skate.

And even after a long week, Barlow still had a smile on his face, and a hilarious quip about his performance in that escape room.

"I just got out this morning," he laughed. "I wasn't too much of a help. I was like 'oh yeah that looks good boys, that's a clue right there.' Then the next door would open and I'd walk right through. It was a blast."