This draft was a very forward-heavy one for Columbus, with the Jackets selecting five forwards in total compared to one goalie and one defenseman.
Today we are looking at that one defenseman, although his stat sheet looks more like that of a forward anyway. Jonas Woo was selected just three picks after fellow Blue Jackets draft pick Anttoni Uronen, as Woo was taken 185th overall in the sixth round.
Jonas Woo was a big part of the best offense in Canadian juniors
Jonas Woo is an overaged prospect who was eligible to be drafted in 2025 but did not end up being selected, although he was generally projected to be drafted in the fifth or sixth round that year. He likely fell primarily due to his size, as he stands at 5'9, 175 pounds today.
Last season, his third in the WHL, Woo scored 11 goals and 43 points in 57 games, adding 11 assists in 18 playoff games, including a +19 rating in the postseason. This was also his first season playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers.
While these numbers are solid for a defenseman, they're nothing crazy for a player who has a strong focus on offense. However, he had much more production this past season, and set a franchise record in the process.
Woo finished with 29 goals and 86 points this past season, the latter of which set the record for the most points ever scored by a Medicine Hat defender. This total also led all defenders in the WHL, and he was fourth in points per game among all players.
He also added eight goals and nine assists in 17 playoff games, continuing his very successful offensive performance throughout the postseason.
Woo was part of a star-studded team that scored 38 more goals than the next closest team. This includes the Ruck twins, who combined for 212 points, and fellow defender Bryce Pickford who trailed Woo by only three points, finishing with 83.
So while I don't want to take away from his impressive season, it's safe to say that he had quite the supporting cast to help him put up those numbers.
Although Woo was of course on the team's top power play unit, he was also part of the first pair on the penalty kill, so his defense is far from a liability. While he isn't the most physical and is best in a more aggressive, perimeter defending role, he has great stick skills that allow him to be successful.
He even scored four goals while on the penalty kill, which was tied for the league lead. While I wouldn't imagine he would be that aggressive if he plays in the NHL, it goes to show his impact on every part of the game.
He is also generally very aggressive on offense, and oftentimes joins the rush right alongside the forwards, even scoring several goals on deflections and loose pucks in the crease. You can see this throughout his highlights, but take this highlight-reel goal as one example.
Jonas Woo forces his way through for a highlight reel goal and ties the game!! 🚨🐅 pic.twitter.com/mbwqYqmyBB
— Medicine Hat Tigers (@tigershockey) April 12, 2026
He can definitely produce from the point as well though, as he has a quick shot that he can release from just about anywhere, and really good puck control that allows him to find lanes to move the puck through rather easily.
At the end of the day, it's a good value pick for the Blue Jackets as you get a defender with sky-high offensive upside who can be a game-breaker if his defensive game isn't a liability against NHL competition.
Woo turns 20 in November, and will play for the Arizona State Sun Devils next year. This should be a great next step for him as we get to see how his overall game stacks up in an older, more physical league.
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