Not much work was done on the Winnipeg Jet defence during the off-season, except for a few bits and bops to strengthen the backline pairings for the 2014-15 season. Perhaps the biggest change was the role of 25-year old Paul Postma, who is finally seeing NHL ice time on a regular basis this season.

In the previous two seasons, Postma had seen action in only 54 NHL games, splitting time with the Jets and the AHL’s St. John’s IceCaps. Last season, he was due his first full season in an NHL uniform, until a nagging pain in his calf put his NHL campaign under siege.

The diagnosis was a blood clot in his leg, and the then-24-year-old faced long-term recovery in the months ahead. Postma eventually returned to the Jet lineup in February, but would only play 20 games.

Fast forward one year and Postma has not looked back, solidifying his position with the Jets by fulfilling a role on the team’s third defensive pairing. He has even mounted an occasional offensive surge, such as scoring his first goal of the season in a comeback effort in New York, where the Jets defeated the Islanders 4-3 on October 28.

Although he has yet to reach 20 minutes in a game this season, Postma’s persistent appearance on the power play and penalty kill has greatly aided the Jets through the first two months.

Should he remain healthy, there is little question that the Red Deer native will carry out an 82-game regular season for the first time in his career. Not too shabby for a player who just one year ago suffered a season-threatening injury, and within recent years, has worked his way up from the bottom of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Evidence in the making that quality can be selected in the late rounds of the draft, Postma was the205th overall selection by the Atlanta Thrashers. At the time, the 18-year-old was an offensively-shy Swift Current Bronco, until a trade to Calgary saw him break out as one of junior hockey’s brightest defensive prospects.

In his final WHL season, Postma tallied 84 points, nearly four times his output at the time of his trade to the Calgary Hitmen. That performance earned the 20-year-old an NHL entry level contract in 2009. He continued to hone his offensive game with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves for two seasons.

While the Atlanta Thrashers relocation to Winnipeg marked a major alteration for all the players affiliated with the franchise in 2011 there was little change in Postma’s efforts. He continued to concentrate on working his way up the Jet pipeline with the new AHL club in St. John’s.

A 13-goal, 44-point season in 56 games during 2011/12 marked the best points-per-game ratio in his AHL career. Following the IceCaps’ daring run in the Calder Cup Playoffs that ended at the conference final, the 2011/12 campaign marked the final full season Postma would ever play in the minors.

Going from the late rounds of the NHL Entry Draft to becoming a full-time NHLer isn’t a quick or easy journey. Postma’s rapid development prior to being drafted was highlighted by the discovery of his relatively untapped offensive upside, and he’s worked that technical ability towards the NHL level.

A proven power play anchor, Postma has scored 26 of his 47 career AHL goals and half of his NHL career goals on the man-advantage. Having spent all of his professional career with the same Thrashers-Jets franchise, and with both affiliated AHL teams, Postma finally has the opportunity to apply his trademark offensive-minded style at the top tier. This seventh round selection may soon gain recognition as an absolute steal of a pick.

In the previous two seasons, Postma had seen action in only 54 NHL games, splitting time with the Jets and the AHL’s St. John’s IceCaps. Last season, he was due his first full season in an NHL uniform, until a nagging pain in his calf put his NHL campaign under siege.

The diagnosis was a blood clot in his leg, and the then-24-year-old faced long-term recovery in the months ahead. Postma eventually returned to the Jet lineup in February, but would only play 20 games.

Fast forward one year and Postma has not looked back, solidifying his position with the Jets by fulfilling a role on the team’s third defensive pairing. He has even mounted an occasional offensive surge, such as scoring his first goal of the season in a comeback effort in New York, where the Jets defeated the Islanders 4-3 on October 28.

Although he has yet to reach 20 minutes in a game this season, Postma’s persistent appearance on the power play and penalty kill has greatly aided the Jets through the first two months.

Should he remain healthy, there is little question that the Red Deer native will carry out an 82-game regular season for the first time in his career. Not too shabby for a player who just one year ago suffered a season-threatening injury, and within recent years, has worked his way up from the bottom of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Evidence in the making that quality can be selected in the late rounds of the draft, Postma was the205th overall selection by the Atlanta Thrashers. At the time, the 18-year-old was an offensively-shy Swift Current Bronco, until a trade to Calgary saw him break out as one of junior hockey’s brightest defensive prospects.

In his final WHL season, Postma tallied 84 points, nearly four times his output at the time of his trade to the Calgary Hitmen. That performance earned the 20-year-old an NHL entry level contract in 2009. He continued to hone his offensive game with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves for two seasons.

While the Atlanta Thrashers relocation to Winnipeg marked a major alteration for all the players affiliated with the franchise in 2011 there was little change in Postma’s efforts. He continued to concentrate on working his way up the Jet pipeline with the new AHL club in St. John’s.

A 13-goal, 44-point season in 56 games during 2011/12 marked the best points-per-game ratio in his AHL career. Following the IceCaps’ daring run in the Calder Cup Playoffs that ended at the conference final, the 2011/12 campaign marked the final full season Postma would ever play in the minors.

Going from the late rounds of the NHL Entry Draft to becoming a full-time NHLer isn’t a quick or easy journey. Postma’s rapid development prior to being drafted was highlighted by the discovery of his relatively untapped offensive upside, and he’s worked that technical ability towards the NHL level.

A proven power play anchor, Postma has scored 26 of his 47 career AHL goals and half of his NHL career goals on the man-advantage. Having spent all of his professional career with the same Thrashers-Jets franchise, and with both affiliated AHL teams, Postma finally has the opportunity to apply his trademark offensive-minded style at the top tier. This seventh round selection may soon gain recognition as an absolute steal of a pick.