Almost a full season into his career, Jesse Winchester has yet to hit the anniversary mark whence most Sens fans learned who he was. He did not take the typical route to the NHL, going through … the Winchester Hawks of the Eastern Ontario Junior "B" Hockey League (one can only assume the team was named after him) the Cornwall Colts of the Central Junior Hockey League and then went to well known hockey factory Colgate University. The only award or recognition Jesse Winchester received on his way to the NHL was being named to the ECAC - Third All-Star Team for 2007-2008. Winchester was more of a defensive player even in college where he played an intelligent, responsible game. Despite putting up 33 points in 32 games for Colgate in 05-06, Winchester was signed March 24th 2008 for his defence, intelligence, and puck control abilities.
The 6'1, 215 pound native of Long Sault, Ontario was an unknown to most. He came without the hype of other college players such as Chris Kunitz, Dustin Penner and Blake Wheeler or last year's signing of Swedish forward Fabian Brunnstrom. Despite this lack of apparent pedigree, when Winchester came into camp last fall the organization thought highly of him. Uncomfirmed reports have suggested that many teams were in the running for Winchester. Murray signed Winchester to an entry level contract in the spring that expired a few months later, and also arranged for him to play a single game at the NHL level. Due to Winchester's 25th birthday in early October and some peculiarities of the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement, that meant Wichester could be signed last summer to a one-way deal, and would have to go through waivers before being sent down to the AHL. Murray was confident enough of Winchester's potential to offer a one way contract and create a situation in which the Senators can't send him down without risking losing him on waivers. He started training camp on a line with Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley and while he didn't last on the top line, he has justified management's assessment and found himself a productive role for the Senators.
Winchester will never put up big numbers in the NHL, but where he will shine is along the boards. He plays an intelligent puck control game along the boards, skilled at putting the puck in his skates and angling toward the boards to roll off of a defenceman. While only a rookie, Winchester has shown flashes of potential which should see him have a long and successful NHL career. He broke into the Senators lineup without a problem, in a year with little competition in the forward ranks but has shown that he deserved the spot from the beginning. It is much easier to integrate a defensively responsible player and Winchester can be trusted to go out and not hurt the team. Solid in his own end, Winchester excels along the boards. He is very adept at laying the puck to an empty spot in the corner or behind the net to keep possession.
If he continues to improve he should be able to dominate play along the boards. He also has shown a willingness to battle much bigger and stronger opponents (some may remember him getting greeted by Chara in the corner, personally I thought he was a keeper the moment he got up from that collision. Winchester is a surprisingly physically player for his size, and his ability to deliver solid hits aids him with puck retrieval. Especially notable is his body control and anticipation when receiving a hit. More than a few players of similar size have bounced off of Winchester when attempting to hit him.
As a very smart hockey player, he is excellent at maintaining angles which is also why he is able to play physically strong game without spending a lot of time in the penalty box. For a “grinding” forward to have only 20 penalty minutes this far into the season speaks volumes about his intelligence and why he should be able to become a mainstay in Ottawa.
Winchester could use some added strength but his skating is NHL caliber and his ability to control play behind the opponents net, along the boards, and strong cycle game mean that he should be a relatively cheap contributor to the Senators for the next few years. His offensive skills need polishing (which should help keep his contract down), but it is pretty clear he will never be a potent offensive force, which may render him a permanent bottom 6 player. However, it is his ability to control the flow of the play which could potentially make him a dangerous setup man in the future. As Winchester has the ability to maintain possession for long periods of time below the opponents goal line, if teammates can get themselves to the front of the net and if the Winchester can hit them, we may see a patented J.W. Play develop over time if he improves manages to find and establish an office behind the net. If he never gets the pass from the boards completely down, he will at worst be a defensively responsible player who you can slot into almost any situation and is strong on the puck and body. Look for this intelligent man to eventually become a leader in the Senators dressing room, with consistently smart and hard working play.
Great write up "Stephen". Winchester isn't a high end prospect, but any time you can pick up a player on a cheap contract who can step into your lineup, who costs no players or picks, just money, you're doing yourself a favour. I hope the Murrays encourage further scouting like this.
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