Jets' 6-foot-6 forward prospect compared to possible Tage Thompson outcome

Mar 24, 2026 - 01:30

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Jets' 6-foot-6 forward prospect compared to possible Tage Thompson outcome originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Winnipeg Jets could definitely use some more talent on the way to the NHL level.

They may have struck a late-round draft gem with a 6-foot-6 forward who could eventually be just that.

Kieron Walton was a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, with the 187th overall selection. And then last season, he broke out in the OHL with Sudbury.

This season, Walton has played for both Sudbury and the Peterborough Petes, and he's come close to replicating that production.

At his size, and with his continuation of showing his ability, Walton has caught the attention of prospect guru Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff.

"When a player has a breakout campaign like Walton did in Sudbury last year, you always wonder how legit it is," Ellis writes. "He finished that season with 38 goals and 92 points in a leading role with Sudbury and even registered his first pro point with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose. He didn’t match that OHL total this year, but he came darn close in a split campaign with Sudbury and Peterborough. Walton is a 6-foot-6 center who commands attention, loves spending time around the crease and finding his teammates on the breakout. Combine that altogether and you have an absolute force of nature."

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Ellis then does something immense -- he wonders if Walton could turn into Tage Thompson, the Buffalo Sabres' tall superstar.

"Walton isn’t known for being a high-end skater by any means," Ellis writes. "But, man, could the Jets have their own Tage Thompson on their hands? Many bigger forwards take a longer time to reach their potential, but Walton already looks like a steal two years after getting selected."

Even if Walton becomes half of Thompson, that'd be a massive Winnipeg win with a sixth-round pick.

This is definitely great development news for the Jets.