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NICK JENSEN
Nick Jensen
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Vitals: 6'1'' / 189 lbs.
Birthdate: September 21, 1990
Hometown: Rogers, Minnesota
Acquired: Detroit's fifth choice (150th overall) in the 2009 draft
CSS Ranking: 120th North American skater (2009)
Contract: None (must sign by August 15, 2014)
RWC Says: Puck-Moving Defenseman

STORIES

AWARDS
None Listed

HISTORY
2007-08:
  • Led Rogers-Zimmerman High School in scoring for the second straight year.
  • Selected in the fifth round (70th overall) by Green Bay in the USHL draft.
2008-09
  • Broke into USHL and had a good rookie campaign (52-5-17-22, 62 shots).
  • Posted a USHL-best plus-34 rating, albeit on the league's best team.
  • Tied for 17th among all USHL defensemen in scoring.
  • Quiet post-season as Green Bay lost in Clark Cup semifinals.
  • Selected in the fifth round (150th overall) of the NHL draft by Detroit.
2009-10:
  • Returned to USHL with Green Bay and had another solid year (53-6-21-27, 106 shots).
  • Plus-36 tied for fourth in USHL and made him a career plus-70 for Green Bay.
  • Ranked 10th in scoring among USHL defensemen and second on Green Bay.
  • Helped Green Bay to a dominating first-place finish (45-10-5).
  • Tied for second in scoring among USHL defensemen (12-2-6-8) en route to championship.
  • Helped United States to gold-medal finish at world junior A challenge (5-1-2-3) in November.

SCOUT COMMENTS
"The offensive upside is what we're exciting about, the skating ability. His skating is his best asset and he's a good puck-mover." — Red Wings scout David Kolb (June 2009) ... "He's a little bit of a late-bloomer. He caught (our) eye, developing late. We like those guys who keep showing they're getting better every time we see them." — Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill (June 2009).

STRENGTHS
Skating is his best asset, with high top speed and great agility ... Can lead the rush by carrying the puck or make a good first pass to a forward ... Is aware of his defensive responsibilities and is ready to work to improve in that area ... Willing to battle physically.

WEAKNESSES
Needs to develop his shot to be more of a threat on the power play ... Doesn't make a big physical impact ... Needs to get stronger ... Still learning defensively.

PROJECTION
The Red Wings drafted a raw, long-term project in the swift-skating Jensen. He made solid progress in his final USHL season with Green Bay, and the Red Wings now have four seasons to let him develop into a legitimate NHL prospect at the NCAA level with St. Cloud State.

STATISTICS
  REGULAR SEASON PLAYOFFS
SEASON TEAM LEAGUE GP G A PTS PIM GP G A PTS PIM
2006-07 Rogers-Zimmerman USHS 21 20 17 37 -- -- -- -- -- --
2007-08 Rogers-Zimmerman USHS 14 14 13 27 -- -- -- -- -- --
2008-09 Green Bay USHL 52 5 17 22 27 7 0 1 1 2
2009-10 Green Bay USHL 53 6 21 27 35 12 2 6 8 6

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The next wave

RWC's top 10 prospects (2009-10 preliminary)
01 F Tomas Tatar » Grand Rapids (AHL)
02 D Jakub Kindl » Grand Rapids (AHL)
03 D Brendan Smith » Wisconsin (NCAA)
04 F Gustav Nyquist » Maine (NCAA)
05 F Jan Mursak » Grand Rapids (AHL)
06 G Thomas McCollum » Grand Rapids (AHL)
07 F Joakim Andersson » Frolunda (SEL)
08 F Mattias Ritola » Grand Rapids (AHL)
09 F Landon Ferraro » Red Deer (WHL)
10 D Brian Lashoff » Grand Rapids (AHL)
» COMPLETE RANKING »