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Winnipeg Jets pick Jacob Trouba eyeing OHL instead of Michigan — report

Neate Sager

It's nothing new to learn after the NHL draft that a teenager's assurance of being college hockey-bound was not exactly solid as oak. However, U.S. world junior defenceman Jacob Trouba set himself apart early last season by saying he didn't "want to back down" from a college commitment. That was in last August. Now, in the week after the big defenceman became the first U.S. born and trained player chosen in the NHL draft when the Winnipeg Jets took him No. 9 overall, there's talk Trouba could yet join the OHL's Kitchener Rangers.

From Matt Slovin:

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, placed the chances that Trouba, the ninth pick by Winnipeg in this year's NHL Entry Draft, honors his commitment to Michigan at "50/50."

Trouba's OHL rights belong to the Kitchener Rangers who drafted him in the third round of the OHL's 2010 draft.

Regardless of where Trouba ends up, Kitchener or Michigan, the source says the defenseman will spend two years before progressing to the NHL. (Michigan Daily)

It's within the realm that this could based on the possibility the Jets will promptly sign Trouba, which would cause him to forfeit his college eligibility. In that case, he wouldn't be de-committing; the decision would just be taken out of his hands. Anyway, there is nothing to firmly indicate Trouba will head to Kitchener. It bears monitoring since it would be a huge coup for a contending Rangers team. The Jets organization had a signed draft pick, Cody Sol, in Kitchener last season, so there is a comfort factor.

Trouba rerouting to the OHL on its own would make for a bad summer for Michigan. Now there's a report the Wolverines are set to lose another recruit to the OHL. Washington Capitals fifth-round pick Connor Carrick appears headed to the Plymouth Whalers, who acquired his rights from Guelph earlier this week.

Two other graduates from the U.S. under-18 team's defence corps have already chosen the CHL. Seth Jones, a top prospect for the 2013 NHL draft, is now with the Western League's Portland Winterhawks, while Calgary Flames second-rounder Pat Sieloff has signed with the OHL's Windsor Spitfires.

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Contact him at neatesager@yahoo.ca and follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet.