He didn’t skate, nor will he be a participant at this week’s Winnipeg Jets development camp, but there was no question who the most popular prospect was as the week-long camp kicked off on Sunday afternoon.
Patrik Laine didn’t take two steps off the staircase at MTS Iceplex before the first black Sharpie marker was filtered to his hands. The Jets’ No. 2 overall selection put in a good workout as he practiced his signature dozens of times, signing everything from pucks, hats to the bare back of one gentleman with his child perched on his shoulders.
It was the first real-life glimpse fans have gotten of the Finnish sensation and he certainly left his mark on those who got a chance to meet the man, including youngsters Aidan Labossiere, 12, and Thomas Kiesman, 11, who were among the first people to get an autograph and a selfie with Laine.