If development progresses as planned, the Winnipeg Jets` defensive lineup could feature a notable Swedish presence in the coming seasons.
Elias Salomonsson, a right-shot defenseman drafted in the second round in 2022, is currently the leading defensive prospect in the Jets` system. He is now joined in the prospect pool by fellow Swede Sascha Boumedienne, a left-shot blue-liner selected 28th overall by the Jets in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday night.
Boumedienne took a significant step last season by transitioning to NCAA hockey, becoming one of the youngest players on the Boston University Terriers team.
He acknowledged that the adjustment to the physical demands was initially challenging. He stated, “Coming in, I wasn’t the strongest guy, and it was a little bit of a shock at the beginning of the year. Battles were a little hard, just being knocked off the puck and being able to protect the puck.”
Boumedienne steadily improved throughout the year and finished the season on a high note at the U-18 World Championship in April. While playing for the Swedish squad that secured a silver medal, Boumedienne set a new scoring record for defensemen at the tournament, accumulating 14 points in seven games.
According to sports analysts, his performance at the U-18 event was particularly impressive. They noted that as the youngest defenseman in college hockey, it was difficult for him to make a significant impact against older, more experienced opponents. However, playing with peers in the under-18s allowed him to regain confidence, leading to over 20 minutes of ice time per game and frequent puck handling, which contributed to his exceptional 14 points.
Neville Woodall 
Duncan Priestley