Latest news with #Boumedienne
Winnipeg Free Press
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Boumedienne always rises to the occasion
Hockey is me. Three simple words were all Sascha Boumedienne needed to wrap up a thoughtful answer about how the sport became his passion. The Winnipeg Jets 2025 first-rounder was holding court after an on-ice session at development camp on Thursday afternoon and it was easy to see the smooth-skating defenceman was in his element. Gregory Payan / The Associated Press files Jets prospect Sacha Boumedienne will return to the Boston University Terriers this fall to develop his game. As someone who has been living a nomadic lifestyle for the better part of his 18 years, Boumedienne has a bubbly and engaging personality — which was evident when he held a Zoom call with reporters last Friday after he was chosen 28th overall by the Jets in the NHL Draft. With a father, Josef, who played professional hockey for nearly two decades – including 47 games in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals — Boumedienne has embraced the bouncing around and it's safe to say it hasn't stunted his development as a top prospect. 'It mostly comes from my dad,' said Boumedienne, who was born in Oulu, Finland, but raised in Stockholm, Sweden. 'My dad played professional hockey and I just fell in love with it. I was around it, 24/7. We were with him everywhere he played and I was able to be in the locker rooms, wherever he was. It was just kind of natural. Since I remember, I've always been in a hockey locker room and that's just been second nature.' That's when he inserted the exclamation point — hockey is me. Hockey doesn't define Boumedienne, who has lived in six countries and speaks two languages (English and Swedish), but you can tell it's a driving force in his life. 'I moved around to a lot of different places and I've had a blast everywhere that I've been,' said Boumedienne. 'We moved around quite a bit when I was younger, so I was used to it. But yeah, maybe my outgoing personality helps a little bit.' Boumedienne wasn't drafted for his personality, though the confidence he exudes — in a positive way — is part of the reason his play stood out over the course of the past year, first at Boston University for a Terriers squad that reached the Frozen Four championship final and then for Sweden at the U18 World Championship in Texas. Thanks to his elite skating ability, Boumedienne adapted well to the college game and then was named top defenceman at the U18 event when he went back to playing for his peer group and set a tournament record for assists (13) and points (14) by a defenceman. Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff pointed out last week one of the impressive things about Boumedienne was his ability to play his best hockey in the biggest moments. The stage doesn't get too big for him, no matter what his birth certificate might say. Boumedienne got plenty of encouragement from his parents to pursue hockey, but the internal drive is what fuelled his passion. Rollerblading to the local rink was a common exercise for Boumedienne and his brother. 'Whenever there wasn't snow outside or ice or whatever on the sidewalks, me and my little brother, we'd get fully dressed and put our helmets and gloves and hold our sticks in our hands,' said Boumedienne. 'We'd put our skates in our backpack and put the backpack on. The rollerblade down took 10 or 15 minutes, and then, we'd go on the bench and put our real skates on. So that was a good childhood memory, but yeah, fortunate that I got to live so close to the rink.' Earlier this week, fellow 2025 Jets' draft pick Viktor Klingsell mentioned Boumedienne was a skilled centre long before he made the switch to playing defence and his childhood friend corroborated the story. 'I was a centre until I was about 13 or 14 probably,' said Boumedienne. 'I liked being up there, but then I tried D once, because I wanted to be like my dad and my dad was a D. I thought it was a blast playing D and setting up plays from the back end and being able to defend.' When asked who he patterns his game after, Boumedienne mentions a Dallas Stars blue-liner who Jets fans are quite familiar with from his time with the Central Division rival. 'I love to watch Miro Heiskanen,' said Boumedienne. 'A guy who skates like the wind. A big, left-shot defenceman. He's out there against the other teams' top line and able to shut them down and kind of make it hard on them with his skating all over the ice — and then, he's obviously really good offensively. 'He's on his team's first power play and is really good both ways. Really strong on the puck and really hard to play against. Someone I like to model my game after.' The aforementioned qualities are what Boumedienne plans to refine during his sophomore season at BU, where he followed a detailed plan to improve in Year 1 with the program. 'We obviously had a lot of talks about me going in a year early and it's a pretty big decision. We had a lot of phone calls and talks with them and really set up a plan for me to develop in every aspect of the game,' said Boumedienne. 'To get bigger and stronger and grow my defensive game — and all areas of the game. We sat down and had a plan for every week. I had a detail for every practice and meaning with every rep. Something to focus on every day to really get better.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. He'd love to get back to the Frozen Four final, while changing the end result. Boumedienne is also hoping to suit up for his country at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship and it's possible one of his teammates could be Jets' 2024 second-rounder Alfons Freij. 'We didn't even know each other before this,' said Freij. 'We've become good friends in a short time. He's a stud.' X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld Ken WiebeReporter Ken Wiebe is a sports reporter for the Free Press, with an emphasis on the Winnipeg Jets. He has covered hockey and provided analysis in this market since 2000 for the Winnipeg Sun, The Athletic, and TSN. Ken was a summer intern at the Free Press in 1999 and returned to the Free Press in a full-time capacity in September of 2023. Read more about Ken. Every piece of reporting Ken produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Boston Globe
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
James Hagens, Václav Nestrašil, Sascha Boumedienne carry flag for Hockey East in first round of NHL Draft
The NHL Draft will resume Saturday at noon, with more than a dozen New England natives and local college players expected to be selected in Rounds 2-7. Aside from Hagens, here is a closer look at the two prospects with local ties selected Friday: Advertisement Václav Nestrašil, forward, Blackhawks, first round (No. 25 overall) Nestrašil is the second-highest draft pick in UMass history, behind only Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Nestrašil, a 6-foot-5-inch, 190-pound forward from Czechia, was projected as a second-round pick for most of the year, but his stock shot up with a strong close to his USHL season. Though still a raw prospect and growing into his lanky frame, the NHL upside is easy to see: Nestrašil is a fluid skater with slick puck skills and playmaking ability, with potential to develop into a two-way power forward as he fills out. Nestrašil played this past season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL, registering 19 goals and 42 points during the regular season. His production spiked in the Clark Cup Playoffs, tallying seven goals and six assists in 13 games. Advertisement Nestrašil committed to UMass in January 2024 and will suit up for the Minutemen next season. He will immediately be among the largest forwards in Hockey East, along with Boston College forward (and Bruins 2024 first-rounder) Dean Letourneau. Boston University's Sacha Boumedienne, taken in the first round of the NHL Draft by Winnipeg on Friday, was youngest player in college hockey last season. Gregory Payan/Associated Press Sascha Boumedienne, defenseman, Jets, first round (No. 28 overall) Boumedienne, a 6-2, 183-pound defenseman from Stockholm, was the youngest player in college hockey last season. He acclimated well against veteran competition, tallying three goals and 10 assists while logging 18 minutes per game on a BU squad that reached the national title game. Boumedienne's selection marks the third straight year a BU player has gone in the first round, following Though Boumedienne does not project as a major offensive contributor, he is a well-rounded and skilled defenseman who has already displayed NHL-caliber skating ability. Though it took him a couple months to settle in, Boumedienne secured a top-four role on BU's blue line in the second semester. On top of that, just weeks after wrapping up the college season, Boumedienne represented Sweden in the Under-18 World Championships and set the tournament record for points by a defenseman, with 14 in seven games. Boumedienne is expected to be a key piece on the BU blue line next season and should take a leap as one of the league's most complete defensemen. Matty Wasserman can be reached at
Winnipeg Free Press
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Jets select swift Swedish blue-liner
The Winnipeg Jets have added another mobile, puck-moving defenceman to the pipeline. With the 28th overall pick in the NHL Draft, the Jets chose Swedish blue-liner Sascha Boumedienne, who spent last season with the Boston University Terriers and had three goals and 13 points in 40 NCAA games. Boumedienne is known for his offensive game and skating ability and boosted his stock with an exceptional showing at the World U18 championship in Texas, setting a tournament record for assists (13) and points (14) by a defenceman. Damian Dovarganes / The Associated Press Sascha Boumedienne tries on a Jets jersey Friday night after goalie Eric Comrie (centre) announced the Swedish blue-liner was Winnipeg's first pick of the 2025 NHL Draft. The Jets didn't have a first-rounder in 2024, but their first pick was Alfons Freij, who has a similar prospect profile and recently signed his entry-level contract with the Jets — though he's expected to return to play in Sweden's top league next season. Winnipeg's top defence prospect is Elias Salomonsson of Sweden, so while the Jets have often said they don't draft by passport, it doesn't seem like a coincidence they've gone to that well this often since 2022 — when Salomonsson was chosen 55th overall. Boumedienne was the seventh defenceman chosen in the first round and he's considered to have a high ceiling, as someone who can run a power play and eventually projects to be a Top-4 D-man. The left-handed shooter has enjoyed an interesting development path, as he was born in Finland and grew up in Sweden. He eventually made his way to North America to play in the Ohio Blue Jackets AAA program before joining the Younstown Phantoms of the USHL. There's some NHL lineage as well, as Boumedienne's father, Josef, had a lengthy professional hockey career that included 47 games as a defenceman with the New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals. Looking ahead to Day 2 of the 2025 NHL Draft, the Jets have four more selections currently, the next one coming in the third round (92nd overall). The Jets also have picks scheduled for the fourth, sixth and seventh rounds. It will be interesting to see what strategy the Jets use on the second day and whether they look to trade up into the second round or look to add additional draft capital. Everett Silvertips foreward Carter Bear of West St. Paul was the first Manitoba chosen as he went 13th overall to the Detroit Red Wings. The other player with Manitoba connections, Brandon Wheat Kings centre Roger McQueen went 10th overall to the Anaheim Ducks. Although the draft is taking centre stage, there's already been plenty of talk about the additions to the roster that the Jets need to make in the coming days. Bringing in Winnipegger Jonathan Toews, who has agreed to a one-year deal that will be official on July 1, was an important step but the Jets will be looking to further augment the roster. With just a few more days to go before free agency opens on July 1, there's been some speculation about what the Jets might do if forward Nikolaj Ehlers opts to sign elsewhere. Although Ehlers hasn't ruled out staying with the Jets, with Sam Bennett staying with the Florida Panthers and John Tavares signing an extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday, the expectation is Ehlers will have plenty of suitors who are offering a significant raise from the US$6 million he's been making during the past seven seasons. Once Mitch Marner decides where he's going to go, Ehlers will be one of the most highly sought-after forwards this summer on the open market. One of the possible replacements for Ehlers is right-winger Brock Boeser, who spent the past eight seasons and change with the Vancouver Canucks after finishing his NCAA career with the University of North Dakota. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Boeser, 28, has amassed 204 goals, 230 assists and 434 points in 554 NHL games — including 25 goals and 50 points in 75 games last season. Boeser is one season removed from posting career-highs of 40 goals and 73 points and he carried that into the playoffs, where he collected 12 points in 12 post-season games. Although Boeser's not as dynamic as Ehlers, he's a proven goal-scorer that has eclipsed 20 goals on six different occasions in his first eight full seasons. X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld Ken WiebeReporter Ken Wiebe is a sports reporter for the Free Press, with an emphasis on the Winnipeg Jets. He has covered hockey and provided analysis in this market since 2000 for the Winnipeg Sun, The Athletic, and TSN. Ken was a summer intern at the Free Press in 1999 and returned to the Free Press in a full-time capacity in September of 2023. Read more about Ken. Every piece of reporting Ken produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Hamilton Spectator
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Jets take Swedish defenceman Boumedienne with 28th pick at NHL draft
LOS ANGELES - The Winnipeg Jets took Swedish defenceman Sascha Boumedienne with the 28th overall pick in the NHL draft Friday. The six-foot-one, 175-pound Boumedienne registered three goals and 10 assists in 40 games with Boston University last season. Winnipeg won the Presidents' Trophy last season after posting the NHL's best regular-season record. After a miraculous seven-game series win over the St. Louis Blues, the Jets lost in six games to the Dallas Stars in the second round. When free agency opens Tuesday, the Jets will sign Winnipeg native and longtime Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews to a one-year contract. Talented winger Nikolaj Ehlers is expected to test the open market. Rounds two through seven at the draft take place on Saturday. The Jets have four remaining draft picks, one for each round except the second and fourth. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Jets take Swedish defenceman Boumedienne with 28th pick at NHL draft
LOS ANGELES – The Winnipeg Jets took Swedish defenceman Sascha Boumedienne with the 28th overall pick in the NHL draft Friday. The six-foot-one, 175-pound Boumedienne registered three goals and 10 assists in 40 games with Boston University last season. Winnipeg won the Presidents' Trophy last season after posting the NHL's best regular-season record. After a miraculous seven-game series win over the St. Louis Blues, the Jets lost in six games to the Dallas Stars in the second round. When free agency opens Tuesday, the Jets will sign Winnipeg native and longtime Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews to a one-year contract. Talented winger Nikolaj Ehlers is expected to test the open market. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Rounds two through seven at the draft take place on Saturday. The Jets have four remaining draft picks, one for each round except the second and fourth. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025.
