Earlier this month it was revealed that Winnipeg Jets prospect and restricted free agent defenceman Leon Gawanke had signed a long-term contract in Germany's top division, the DEL, with Adler Mannheim.
In a recent interview with a German media outlet, Gawanke explains his decision to leave the Jets organization and he didn't hold back as he was extremely frustrated. Gawanke's frustration stems from playing well in American Hockey League and not being called up to play in the NHL with the Jets.
Gawanke, 23, was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the fifth round (136th overall) in 2017. In four AHL seasons with the Manitoba Moose, the Berlin native had 114 points (35 goals, 79 assists), 98 penalty minutes, and was a minus-25.
The numbers he's put up in the American Hockey League should have warranted a call-up to the Winnipeg Jets, but the organization clearly felt otherwise. As for a potential return to the National Hockey League, Gawanke said it'll only happen if the Jets trade his rights or if he waits a few years to become an unrestricted free agent.
