After starting the season in the American Hockey League, Winnipeg Jets 2022 first-round pick Brad Lambert is expected to be assigned to the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League this weekend, according to Sportsnet's Jeff Marek.
The Lahti (Finland) native was originally selected by the Saskatoon Blades in the 2020 CHL Import Draft, but back in late-June, the Blades traded his rights to the Seattle Thunderbirds.
Currently, the Thunderbirds are the best team in the Canadian Hockey League, sitting first in the WHL with a record of 27-4-2 through 33 games.
Lambert, 19, was widely regarded as one of the top prospects for the 2022 draft, but ultimately fell to 30th overall due to a number of different factors, including inconsistent play throughout his draft year in Finland.
In 14 games for the AHL's Manitoba Moose this season, Lambert recorded three points (two goals, one assist), eight penalty minutes and was a minus-nine.
In December, the Jets loaned Lambert to the Finnish national junior team for the 2023 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. Lambert had a mediocre tournament, recording one goal in five games, helping Finland to a fifth-place finish.
Expect Brad Lambert (Jet's 1st rounder who played for Finland at the WJC) to end up with WHL Seattle at some point this weekend. Sounds like it's trending in that direction. Seattle is the #1 ranked team in the CHL.— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) January 6, 2023
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