Rochester's Jacob Trouba Drafted by NHL's Winnipeg Jets

Jacob Trouba, a recent graduate who learned to play hockey at the in Rochester, is now an official part of the National Hockey League.

Trouba, an 18-year-old defenseman, was selected ninth overall in Friday night's first round of the NHL draft by the Winnipeg Jets.

The 6-foot-2 Trouba is headed to University of Michigan in the fall.

On his Twitter page on Saturday, Trouba posted "Feels good waking up a Jet."

The defenseman played most recently for the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor. Trouba had 18 points on four goals and 14 assists in 22 games in 2011-12.

He played at the Onyx until age 10 and then in the Midwest Elite Hockey League at Compuware, he told Rochester Patch last week.

“Being a part of all this, and finally getting a chance to be drafted in to the NHL is something that everyone dreams of,” said Trouba in a statement released by the Jets.

“Being drafted by the Jets is pretty awesome because they are such a great hockey city with a lot of tradition, and I’m excited to be a Jet.”

In an interview with NHL.com, general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said Trouba has good character and has been a captain during his playing days. 

"He's someone that obviously has good size and plays the game with an edge," said Cheveldayoff. "Someone that has an enthusiasm for the game and we believe is going to grow into a very tough guy to play against."