Winnipeg ICE

Big things expected from Kinder and Teply

The Winnipeg ICE were on the clock twice at the CHL Import Draft on June 27.

With the fourth overall pick, Winnipeg chose Czech Republic-born, Michal Teply. Last season, Teply put up 35 points in his home country. The points came between the U18, U19, and U20 levels, with 29 of the points scored at the U18 level.

Nino Kinder heard his name 64th overall, as Winnipeg chose the German-born product.

The 6-foot-3 18-year-old had 17 goals and 41 points with the Eisbaren Juniors Berlin U20 team last season. He also tallied eight playoff points.

Jake Heisinger is the Director of Scouting and Hockey Operations for the ICE, and he knows June 27 was a good day for the organization.

“We got two players that we’re pretty excited about. For the Import Draft, a lot of time is spent gathering as much information as you can, watching video, and talking to people you know and trust around different levels of hockey,” added Heisinger. “Overall, we got two guys that we expect to be good players for the ICE going forward.”

The question most people are now asking is when Nino and Michal will suit up for the team.

The answer for Jake is soon.

“We’re expecting both players to be here for this season. Michal, obviously, being a drafted player, he’s a big body that can shoot the puck, and we feel he’s a guy that’s going to come in and make an impact right away,” said Heisinger. “When it comes to Nino, he’s a guy who has produced everywhere he’s played and we expect he will do the same thing here.

Nino also recently took part in the Los Angeles Kings Development Camp.

The Winnipeg ICE have not yet announced when their training camp is, but it is expected be in the later stages of August.