Jets Send Three Skaters to NAHL Top Prospects Tournament

Feb 6, 2022

By Calvin Bush (@calvin_bush24) | Feb 6, 2022 | 3:45 pm

JANESVILLE, WI — Three members of the Janesville Jets were named to rosters for the 2022 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, held February 7-8, 2022, at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. 

The NAHL Top Prospects Tournament continues to present exceptional talent throughout the league and is one of the most highly-scouted events in junior hockey. The event, which is held annually during the second half of the NAHL season, features hundreds of scouts that attend the event, which features almost every NHL team and NCAA Division I school. It provides these scouts an opportunity to gauge the talent level presented on one sheet of ice over two days.

The number of players each NAHL team is sending to the tournament was based on each team’s winning percentage within their division as of January 10, 2022. Each team is comprised of 22 players (13 forwards, seven defensemen, two goalies).

Only those NAHL players without an NCAA commitment are eligible to participate in the 2022 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, except for those identified by NHL Central Scouting as prospects for the 2022 NHL Draft.

Tyler Renette of the Springfield Jr. Blues is the head coach for Team Midwest, and Dave Allison of the Fairbanks Ice Dogs is the assistant coach.

Steve Howard of the Austin Bruins is the head coach for Team Central, and Steve Jennings of the Aberdeen Wings is the assistant coach.

Clint Mylymok of the Maryland Black Bears is the head coach for Team East, and Craig Doremus of the New Jersey Titans is the assistant coach.

Phil Fox of the New Mexico Ice Wolves is the head coach for Team South, and Harry Mahood of the Amarillo Wranglers is the assistant coach.

All games will be broadcasted live on HockeyTV. Mike Wisienski from the Odessa Jackalopes and Ashley Chase from the St. Cloud Norsemen will serve as the two play-by-play broadcasters for the games, and Kirsten Krull will also be at the event assisting in the broadcasting duties with interviews, rink-side analysis, and special features.


Jonah Aegerter (NAHL SELECTS WHITE)

FORWARD
Janesville, WI
5-10 | 160
January 21, 2004
2021-22 Season
32 GP | 11G – 12A – 23 PTS | +8
NAHL Career
66 GP | 15G – 19A – 34 PTS | -13

Now in his second season with the Jets, the hometown kid in Jonah Aegerter has found a groove in his game in the arena that he knows all too well. After a shortened rookie season that saw him post 11 points in 34 games, Aegerter has 23 points to his name in two fewer games thus far in the 21-22 season. The young forward just turned 18 a few weeks ago and has already committed to play hockey at St. Cloud State University. Aegerter’s speedy skating has become a staple in the Jets’ offensive game, and that extra boost in his boots often creates great chances and, just recently, helped the Jets get an overtime victory during 3v3 play. Even with his young age, Aegerter has shown his high hockey IQ and prowess all year. This tournament will provide yet another opportunity for the homer to raise some eyebrows and grab the attention of those watching.

“I was so ecstatic when Coach Burgess told me I made it,” said Aegerter. “I was mostly focused on the team and continuing to get some wins, so it wasn’t on my mind much, but I was so happy when coach told me. Playing with guys I shared the ice with last year has helped my game a ton; they’ve helped so much in my second year here, and the additions of some guys throughout this season have been nice. It goes without saying that playing in my hometown of Janesville has been incredible, too. I’ve got those in my circle just up the road, my trainer who is five minutes away, and my mom, too. Having those that I’ve grown up with and are so close to at every game is awesome. This event is a big deal, it’s a great opportunity for myself and my two family members [Mell and Troutwine], and I’m thrilled to get this chance to be a part of it.


Will Troutwine (Team Midwest)

DEFENSEMAN
Eveleth, MN
6-3 | 215
June 23, 2002
2021-22 Season
39 GP | 5G – 20A – 25 PTS | +/- 0
NAHL Career
81 GP | 7G – 30A – 37 PTS | +13

A puck-moving defenseman, Will Troutwine has been a tremendous factor in the Jets’ systems this season. Following a productive first season in Janesville, Troutwine has picked up where he left off this year with five goals and 20 assists. The Minnesotan stands with a towering 6’3″ frame and is often seen behind the net setting plays up before the breakout. His stretch passing ability is top tier, and his vision in seeing the entire ice sheet when heading to the forecheck or playing snug defense in his own end has helped him get to where he is this season, ultimately at the Top Prospects tournament. While Troutwine doesn’t have an NCAA commitment just yet, it’d be a safe assumption that his disciplined and fundamental play on the ice with the Jets will be showcased in Pittsburgh and will lead him to a commitment soon enough.

“It means a lot getting an opportunity as big as this, being able to go play in one of the bigger tournaments in the league,” said Troutwine. “I have to give a great amount of credit to my teammates as well; without their help, I wouldn’t be where I am. All of us want to stay in the sport of hockey, of course. We give it our all every time we hit the ice, so to get the chance to play in front of the people that can make that happen is a great honor and very exciting.”


Cal Mell (Team Midwest)

DEFENSEMAN
Cumming, GA
5-10 | 180
January 30, 2001
2021-22 Season
39 GP | 2G – 26A – 28PTS | +15
NAHL Career
73 GP | 3G – 35A – 38 PTS | +15

Also in his second year wearing the Janesville navy blue and gold, captain Cal Mell has been one of the top blue-liners in the NAHL this season. Mell earned Defenseman of the Month in November after recording ten assists in nine games and posting a +8 rating. While Cal doesn’t have the biggest frame, he is never afraid to jump in and play the body on puck carriers and has fantastic awareness in all three zones. His 26 assists this year are the most on the Jets, and his +15 rating is second behind Cy LeClerc’s +16. His defensive capabilities are second to none, and he is always involved in the play. Be it blocking shots or stick checking attackers, breaking out of the offensive zone, quarterbacking the power play, or placing perfect passes in the wheelhouse for his teammates, Mell is an all-around talent and an integral member of the defensive group for the Jets. Like his fellow defenseman Will Troutwine, Mell has yet to make a commitment to play college hockey, but his previously listed attributes and talents will be on display without a doubt. With the number of scouts watching, Mell will turn heads and surely impress and is unlikely to be left without a D1 commitment for much longer.

“It’s very exciting to be able to participate in a tournament as big as this, especially after having participated last year,” said Mell. “It’s run incredibly well with all the staff helping make it a great experience, all the scouts and schools helping as well, the whole event is really special. Being able to go with Jonah and Will certainly helps as well; any time you get to play with a teammate, especially a defense partner, it’s great. This is a high point for myself for sure, but my teammates and coaches have helped so much in making this happen, and I’m incredibly excited to have the opportunity to play.”


NAHL TOP PROSPECTS TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Monday, February 7th

1:30 pm ET: NTDP vs. Selects

4:00 pm ET: Central vs. Midwest

6:30 pm ET: East vs. South

Tuesday, February 8th

9:00 am ET: Selects vs. Midwest

11:30 am ET: South vs. Central

2:00 pm ET: East vs. NTDP


100+ NCAA commitments since 2009.