MONTREAL – The Winnipeg Jets prospects will play the first of two games at the 2025 Prospect Showdown at the Bell Centre tonight at 6 pm CT when they face the host Montreal Canadiens.

It will be an extra special night for Elias Salomonsson, Danny Zhilkin and Dominic DiVincentiis who will all play in the rink where they were drafted back in 2022. Fabian Wagner was also selected by the Jets that summer but was not in Montreal for the draft.

“It’s so surreal. I walked out here before practice and just and took it all in,” said DiVincentiis who was selected in the seventh round.

“Three years ago, I was drafted here. That was a big night for myself and for my family. They’re all coming tonight to watch, it’s going to be pretty special.”

Danny Zhilkin heard his name called in the third round and said it’s a full circle moment for him.

“Yeah, being drafted here it was a great feeling,” said Zhilin.

“But now to play in front of 20 thousand fans will be a fun night for sure.”

In previous years, the Jets prospects have played in rookie tournaments in Belleville and Penticton in much smaller buildings. The fact they will be going up against the Canadiens rookies in front of a sold-out building makes this night a great opportunity for the players.

“This tournament is a little bit different than what we’ve had. We’ve had three practices now so I l thought this morning anyways,” said head coach Mark Morrisson.

“They were a little more comfortable with each other. They’re going to get here tonight and there’s going to be a full house and (it will be) loud. They’re going to feel it a little bit for sure. They’ll have a little bit of nerves and that but that’s all a learning experience for them.”

Another thing to watch for tonight is the chemistry that is building within the Jets prospects. A lot of the group here in Penticton have been together at development camp and rookie tournaments for at least two years.

“We know each other pretty good,” said Salomonsson.

“Some new faces in there too but had some good practices here. A lot of speed, a lot of skill so it’s fun out there.”