They didn’t exactly bring the A-team to Belleville, Ont., with several of their most promising prospects unable to attend. And so, perhaps it shouldn’t be a huge surprise that a group of Winnipeg Jets hopefuls got schooled on Friday night by a superior Ottawa Senators squad as the Rookie Showcase tournament got underway.
An opening goal by undrafted free agent James Phelan ended up being the lone highlight for Winnipeg. Ottawa rattled off eight straight tallies, including six in a one-sided second period, to cruise to an 8-1 victory.
The final shots were 37-23 in favour of the Senators, who are loaded with several high-profile prospects thanks to a series of trades and high draft picks in recent years.