Jets Lose to Lowly Islanders in Shootout

I hate the shootout. Not because the Jets lost last night because they couldn't beat a weaker team, but because it's not the way a team game should end. Also because the Jets just don't seem to be very good at it.

If it wasn't for the brilliance of Ondrej Pavelec once again, the Jets may not have even escaped the usually safe MTS Centre with a point that they really didn't deserve. Frans Nielsen slipped a backhand past Pavelec to win it in a shootout.

Teemu Returns to Winnipeg, No Words Necessary

But, oh yeah, the Jets beat the Ducks 5-3.

Ovechkin Knots Late Winner to Sting Jets

Alex Ovechkin's semi-inept season didn't stop him from ending any momentum the Jets had after beating league-leading Minnesota, as he beat Ondrej Pavelec with a quick shot with 1:14 left in regulation to lift the under-achieving Washington Capitals over the Winnipeg Jets.

Jets Get Back on Track

It went down to the wire, butthe Winnipeg Jets have gotten back in the win column by defeating the NHL's hottest team, the Minnesota Wild 2-1 at the MTS Centre. The win marks the Jets fifth straight win at home and puts them one point ahead of the Washington Capitals for second place in the South-East division as well as stopping Minnesota's seven-game win streak.

Jets Claim Miettinen Off Waivers

The Winnipeg Jets have claimed Antti Miettinen of off re-entry waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning.The Jets hope to wrangle both the offensive and defensive talents of the Fin to help bolster their talents upfront.

Red Wings Humble Jets

In a game where it looked like the Jets were fatigued by the end of the second period and had no jump at all; you wouldn't know that this was a team who had just defeated the surging Boston Bruins and ended their regulation-game-winning streak since Oct. 29, as the Bruins had a run of 14-0-1.

That team disappeared Saturday, a game that I was at and had highly anticipated since the Bruins win and the following victory over Carolina. After the Wings made it 6-1 by the end of the second period, I couldn't take it anymore and left. Call it what you will, but I just couldn't watch anymore of that massacre. It only ended after Detroit added another one in the third for a miserable 7-1 final. The Jets worst loss since opening night against Montreal.

Jets Beat Red Hot Champs

The Winnipeg Jets were firing on all cylinders Tuesday as once again Ondrej Pavelec defied the odds and Bryan Little continued his points-scoring streak to help the Jets beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins 2-1 at the raucous MTS Centre.

The victory not only put the Jets over .500 for the first time this season at 12-11-4 including their first three-game winning streak, but it also snapped the Bruins point-streak of 29 points in their last 15 games that saw them go 14-0-1.

True North, Chipman Pleased with Realignment

So the NHL Board of Governors have approved a new alignment format for the 2012-2013 season.

The new alignment is very similar to the old alignment. If you remember the old Norris, Smythe, Patrick and Adams divisions of the 80's, it is pretty much the same. The East and West conferences will be made up of two "conferences" (why they just don't call them divisions is beyond me-probably because there will be seven and eight teams in each instead of the manageable five or six; too many teams perhaps?) with the West having eight in each conference and the East made up of seven each

This has the Winnipeg Jet brass smiling as it means not only will the league's superstars coming to visit Winnipeg at least once a year instead of once every couple of years, but the chance to renew old rivalries with Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and begin new ones with Chicago, Minnesota, St. Louis or Detroit.

Jets Down Devils

In a game which the Winnipeg Jets showed they are finally starting to come together and play as an elite, cohesive unit, the Jets played a gritty third period with Evander Kane scoring twice and Ondrej Pavelec once again holding down the fort as the Jets beat the New Jersey Devils 4-2.o hold off the New Jersey Devils 4-2 at the MTS Centre.

Jets Shutout Coyotes

The Winnipeg Jets rebounded from Tuesday's 4-3 OT loss to the Ottawa Senators by blanking the Phoenix Coyotes 1-0, thus giving not only Ondrej Pavelec his second shutout of the season, but also sending the Jets faithful home happy as the new Winnipeg franchise defeated the old Winnipeg club in the second game in the Battle of Pride.

Senators Down Fatigued Jets

After 11 of their last 14 away from the MTS Centre the Ottawa Senators took full advantage of a road-weary Winnipeg team as the Sens downed the Jets 4-3 in overtime.

Kelly Pots Two as Bruins Beat Jets

The Boston Bruins continue their surge as they came back from 2-0 to win 4-2.

Jets Beat Hurricanes

The Winnipeg Jets have gotten back to their winning ways as they beat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1 tonight.

Caps Take Jets in OT

Although the Jets kept Alex Ovechkin in check and Ondrej Pavelec was superb once again, they couldn't come up with that desperation goal as Jason Chimera scored his second goal of the game, at 1:52 of overtime, to give the Washington Capitals a 4-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday night.

Jets Sweep Home Stand

Ondrej Pavelec played brilliant again, Bryan Little notched two more goals, Bufuglien got his fourth as all these factors-along with good penalty killing, including a Jim Slater short-handed goal-helped the Winnipeg Jets defeat the Philadelphia Flyers for the second time this season.

Although this was another game in which the Jets blew a four-goal lead and chintzy calls by the refs on Evander Kane led to Flyers power-play goals and the Jets let undisciplined play allowed a defensive breakdown, the hometown squad managed to capture the win; albeit doing it the hard way yet again.

Bryzgalov Apologizes for Winnipeg Remarks

Not that it matters much. We're still going to boo him every chance we get.

Military Reps Establish Rules for the Winnipeg Jets Logo

The Canadian Defence Department has given the Winnipeg Jets their marching orders when it comes to the hockey club's Air Force-inspired logo.

Kane Scores Twice, Pavelec Plays Brilliantly as Jets Knock Off Caps

The Winnipeg Jets were firing on all conceivable cylinders last night as they did what coach Claude Noel had been hoping for; they brought their "A" game in two consecutive outings and downed the Washington Capitals 4-1.

Slap Shot Story

Coach Claude Noel regales the press with his story of how he was a part of the minor league wars that involved the Carlson Brothers (Hansons) and a brawl and players that inspired the greatest hockey movie ever.

Jets Pencil Art

This excellent pencil art of the Winnipeg Jets entitled, "Refuelled" is by artist Jeremy Bresciani and can be purchased through his website here. I know I'm getting one. He also sells pencil art of the Edmonton Oilers and Saskatchewan Rough Riders as well as other sports-related themes.

Jets Skills Competition A Hit with Fans

Over 10, 000 Jets fans showed up to the MTS Centre on Tuesday night to see their local NHL team battle it out in a skills competition between inter-squad teams of blue and white after an open practice.

A couple of surprises to be sure, but I was right on picking Big Buff for the hardest shot. Not exactly going out on a limb there, I know.

Jets brass are hoping to make this an annual affair.

New Book: Forgotten Heroes-Winnipeg's Hockey Heritage

I know I still have yet to review Randy Turner's (not former Free Press columnist Scott Taylor as the following link to the article suggests) release, Back in the Bigs: How Winnipeg Won, Lost and Regained it's Place in the NHL (which was exellent) now comes along probably, historicallly speaking, a more important book on the history of hockey in Winnipeg.

Jon Thompson shares the story of Winnipeg author, Richard Brignall and his book.

Jets Get Licenced

The Winnipeg Jets, True North Sports and Entertainment are offering Manitoba hockey fans the opportunity to show their Jets pride as they unveiled specialty licence plates.
These aren't just vanity plate frames, but actual licence plates that display ones's licence number and insurance stickers.

The fees will go to Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation. The rest will be shared between Manitoba Public Insurance and the province. The plates retail for about $70.

Jets Hold First Annual Skills Competition

Set for tonight the Winnipeg Jets First Annual Skills Competition will feature the Jets with the hardest shot, the Jet who is the fastest skater, the most accurate shooter and the best in the puck control relay and there will also be a breakaway competition.

My money is on Bufuglien for the hardest shot.

Jets Snap 5-Game Skid

The Winnipeg Jets ended a 5-game losing streak as they toppled the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2 in the friendly confines of the MTS Centre.

Jets Recall Jaffray and Kulda from St. John's

The Winnipeg Jets today announced they have recalled forward Jason Jaffray and defencemen Arturs Kulda from the St. John’s IceCaps and re-assigned defenceman Paul Postma to St. John’s.

Jets Losing Streak Extends to Five as Columbus Wins 2-1

The Winnipeg Jets managed to lose to the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 as they quickly lower themselves to the very bottom of the NHL cellar.

Hungry Panthers Dine on Inconsistent Jets

After the Panthers already had a 4-0 lead, it was only then the Winnipeg Jets decided to play with fire and produce a couple of goals to make it respectable. But by then the damage had been done.
After seven games on the road, you would figure the Jets would enjoy and benefit from their boisterous home crowd. Apparently not. And you can't really blame Kris Versteeg's hat trick as being the lone culprit.

Ever since the start of this recent road trip, the Jets have given up multiple goals and leads only to then play as a well-oiled machine when they did produce a victory. But they also did so even in defeat. When will the real Winnipeg Jets stand up?

Jets to Receive Canada Post Commemorative Team Stamp

This Thursday, Canada Post will commemorate the return of the Winnipeg Jets to the NHL with a stamp honoring the team.

Sabres Take Jets in OT

The Buffalo Sabres made full use of their 12 power plays (and more than a couple of questionable calls by the referee) and a short-handed goal to defeat the Winnipeg Jets 6-5 in overtime in a game that the Jets both deserved to win and at times not. Bryan Little finally notched his first goals of the season.
By the end of the first period it looked as though we might see another goal marathon as we did in Philadelphia the week before as the score was tied 3-3.

Jets legend Dale Hawerchuck was honored before the game as he was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame.
The Jets went a respectable 3-3-2 on this road trip with eight points garnered out of a possible 16. .500 on the road is not bad, as long as they can play at least .750 at home.

Rangers Take Second from Jets in as Many Games

The New York Rangers took their second game in a row from the Jets as they blanked the visiting Winnipegers 3-0. In contrast to the last game at the MTS Centre, where the Jets totally out-worked the Blueshirts, this game was owned by the Rangers as once again discipline problems cost the Jets.

Jets Lose to Devils in OT Thriller

The Winnipeg Jets came back from being down 2-0 in the third period on goals by Mark Flood and Jim Slater, but Devils rookie Adam Henrique scored two in the game; including the overtime winner as the Jets go down 3-2 in Newark.

Jets Blank Isles 3-0

Ondrej Pavelec has his first shutout of the season and the Jets have their first back to back victory as they defeated the New York Islanders 3-0 in Uniondale, New York.

In a game they perhaps did not deserve to win, the Jets managed only six shots in the second period and 26 overall with most of the action in their own zone and if it wasn't for Pavelec's shut out performance, this game could have easily had a different outcome.

Jets Beat Panthers in Shootout

They weren't as defensive-minded as they were against the Tampa Bay Lightning in a 1-0 loss last Saturday, but this one had a better result as the Winnipeg Jets defeated the surprisingly good Florida Panthers on Kyle Wellwood's shootout winner in Sunrise.

Coyotes Re-Acquire MacLean

After just five games with the Winnipeg Jets, the Phoenix Coyotes have re-claimed forward Brett MacLean off of waivers. Just as the Jets had "stolen" something from Phoenix, the desert city has once again taken something from Winnipeg.

Jets Blanked in Tampa

They scored nine goals in an unbelievable offensive output against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday (unfortunately they also allowed eight against) only to have their fortunes do a 180 and get shut out two days later by 1-0 by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ondrej Pavelec played brilliantly, his best game of the season thus far, but it wasn't enough as the Lightning's Vincent Lecavalier notched the game's only goal to defeat the Jets.

Jets Assign Gagnon to St. John's

The Winnipeg jets have assigned centre Aaron Gagnon to their minor league affiliate, St. John's Icecaps.

Mason Out; MacLean Placed on Waivers

Chris Mason has a groin strain and will not be with the team when they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. Mason in relief of starter Ondrej Pavelec who was pulled after allowing two quick goals against the Flyers on Thursday, pulled his groin and will not make the trip to Tampa. The Jets are expected to call up goaltender Peter Mannino from the St. John's Icecaps.

Brett Maclean has been placed on waivers before he too is to be reassigned to the Jets AHL affiliate.

Jets Outlast Flyers in Insane Scoring Marathon

At one point in this game, the Jets held a 5-1 lead after the Flyers tallied first. Then it was 6-4 after two periods. Then the flood gates opened. After a wild third period where the Jets lost and regained the lead no more less than three times. When the dust settled, the Jets not only won their first road game, 9-8 but it seems they solved their offensive output problems.
After scoring nine goals on 25 shots in a game where all four goalies made an appearance, the Jets scored 50 percent of their total season output in this one game.

The bad part is the Jets let a four goal lead disappear, so clearly there are still problems to be dealt with and this game didn't do much to help with coach Claude Noel's nerves.

Cheveldayoff: No Trades in the Immediate Future

Despite the slow start to the season, General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and coach Claude Noel are still not worried about reaching the playoffs with the talent they already possess.

Back in the Bigs: A Reminder

So I received my copy of Winnipeg Free Press columnist Randy Turner's book on the history of the Winnipeg Jets that reminisces the days of the WHA, the Jets first stint in the NHL and the league's return to Winnipeg after a fifteen-year absence. Overall it's a good read and has some good inside information (especially a couple pertaining to Craig Heisinger and Mark Chipman) with some cool pictures. You can probably pick it up at any local Winnipeg book store such as Chapter's and Coles and maybe even a couple of independent shops. I got mine from Amazon. check it out, it's pretty cool. Next is Forgotten Heroes: Winnipeg's Hockey Heritage.

Canadian Forces Digging the New Jets

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, especially those in 1 Canada Air Division are really appreciating the new Jets and the merchandise their families have been sending them. There are Armed Forces members all over the world enjoying their team's new mark and brand identity.

Scheifele Settles Back in Barrie

Being the humble, class act that he is, Winnipeg Jets rookie Mark Scheifele has returned to the OHL's Barrie Colts with no ill will towards the big club. In fact he is savoring the memories being up with thethe Jets and focusing on playing with Canada's world junior team in December.

Scheifele Returned to Barrie

The Jets have sent first-round pick Mark Scheifele back to his junior team, the Barrie Colts of the OHL after seven games in the NHL. He scored his first NHL goal last Wednesday against the Maple Leafs in a 4-3 shootout loss.

As Claude Noel said earlier in the season, if Scheifele were to be sent back, it wouldn't be a step down, it would be a step up in development. This will good for him and he'll come back more seasoned and determined.

Antropov Not Sentimental About Toronto Return

It appears that after spending almost 10 years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Nik Antropov is no longer sentimental about playing against them.

Jets beat Pens for First Win

Well it finally happened. The Jets finally put a W in the win column. And they did it at home which made it extra special for the fans waiting for the win since Oct. 9.

The Jets scored eight seconds in on a goal by Kyle Wellwood on a rush with Alexander Burmistrov and Nik Antropov after Antropov won the opening face-off. The goal tied a franchise record for fastest goal from the start of a game.

Ondrej Pavelec was a standout for the Jets as he had to stand on his head several times to thwart the determined Penguins. In fact, he should have had a shut-out as he was bumped the when the Pens notched their only goal. Tanner Glass also scored for the Jets.

But, a win is a win is a win and I'll take it-and the two points.

Jets Go 0-3

Perhaps it wasn't as anticipated as Game 1 and it probably didn't really resonate with the Jets players, but last night's tussle with the Phoenix Coyotes aka the ex-Jets was about bragging rights to the fans of Winnipeg. With all the rhetoric going back and forth from camps of both the Yotes and Jets from last summer's drama unfolding about where the Coyotes would end up (which is still in question) this game in Glendale, Arizona between the current Winnipeg Jets and the team that used to call Winnipeg home, much was on the line.

There were lots of Jets fans at Jobing.com Arena to cheer on their heroes.

Jets Roll Into Phoenix On A Date with History

It's the new Jets versus the old Jets. That's how the media and the fans in Winnipeg are framing this one. and how could you not with all the hubbub surrounding this new Winnipeg franchise? Afterall, with all the rhetoric spewed forth by both Jets fans and Coyotes fans alike, this game is about pride, pure and simple.

Shane Doan, the last remaining Coyote to have played with the original Winnipeg Jets, expects a surreal moment when he laces up against his former team's namesake.

Jets Go Down 4-3 to Hawks

Still chasing that seemingly elusive first win for the new Winnipeg Jets, the Chicago Blackhawks came back form a 2-0 deficit by a pair of Mark Stuart goals, to beat our boys 4-3.

The Official 2011-12 Team Photo

First Game IntroVideo

Here is what the crowd at the MTS Centre got to see at the first official game of the new Jets era.



And here's what the CBC produced for the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast against the Canadiens.

Harper Unveils New Jets Coin

Prime Minister Stephen Harper unveiled one of two new Winnipeg Jets coins. One limited-edition $20 coin is made of pure silver, while the other is selling at $14.95 retail.

I'm definitely getting that $14.95 baby.

Chipman Honoured by Winnipeg Reaction to Jets Return

Winnipeg Jets co-owner and True North Sports and Entertainment Chairman Mark Chipman sat down with the Sun's Ed Tait and said he is "touched" and "grateful," by the reception he, TNSE and the Jets have recieved by the fans of Winnipeg and the hockey world.

Back in the Bigs

The new book by the Winnipeg Free Press's Randy Turner entitled, Back in the Bigs; How Winnipeg Won, Lost and Regained It's Place in the NHL was released on October 3rd and I just ordered it on Amazon. I will have a complete review once it arrives and I finish it.

From what I hear from other reviews is you can't put it down, regardless if you're a Jets fan or not. I'm looking forward to reading it.

Here is an excerpt, courtesy of the Winnipeg Free Press.

Habs Spoil the Party

"It wasn't supposed to be this way." That's what I told my roommate as we watched the highly anticipated Hockey Night in Canada broadcast (at least for me, he really couldn't care less-he's got too much Detroit Tigers on the mind these days) welcoming back the Winnipeg Jets to the NHL.

Everything was supposed to go exactly the opposite of what actually transpired. Most of it did. The CBC had a great pre-game show (including a chat with Jets owner, Mark Chipman and later, Dale Hawerchuck in the second intermission) they had a neat little "rap" montage cleverly edited together using the quotes of different people involved in both the Jets past and present with a "Go Jets Go" type-chorus. Ron Maclean and Don Cherry got the crowd pumped just with their presence.

It was after all the first time HNIC has been in Winnipeg for almost 16 years. Not only was the Jets starting line-up announced before a packed and raucous crowd, but the entire 23-man roster as well. Instead of lining up on their blue line, the Jets formed a circle around the logo at center ice and raised their sticks in acknowledgement to the crowd before a tribute to the late Rick Rypien was played on the jumbo-tron. The crowd once again sang O' Canada loud and proud and put an extra emphasis on the line "true north" when the lyric was sung. The fans even cheered NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman with a round of "Gary, Gary, Gary!" when he was being interviewed by a local radio show earlier in the evening (with the aforementioned Gary Lawless) right inside the front doors of the MTS Centre.

Then the puck was dropped. But as the Free Press's Gary Lawless said, who cares?

All in all, other than having to hear about this from three Habs fans at work (at least one in particular) this loss doesn't matter. As we've been saying all along, we've got our team back. That's all that really matters...for now. But it was supposed to be different. We were supposed to win our first game in 16 years. We were supposed to be cheering three or four times as Ladd, Bufuglien, Kane and Scheifele potted goals to make the roof cave in.

Ah well. Maybe they're saving it for Chicago?


CBC's pre-game mini-doc, "Road Back to Winnipeg"

CBC's Jets Post Game Show

It's Showtime Folks!

Well, this is it. Tonight is the official return of the Winnipeg Jets to the National Hockey League when the Jets take on the fabled Montreal Canadiens at the MTS Centre. I'm sure you've read the many blogs and/or news items on the anticipation of Winnipeg hockey fans and how Jets Fever has reached a climatic crescendo in the city. Unfortunately for me, I'm not living in Winnipeg at the present time. I hope to be before the new year as a life change is in the works. Although I will be able to see the Jets in regular season play at least once in the next five years (yes, the hype is true, it is that hard to get a ticket) as I will be in attendance at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit on Dec. 10 to watch the boys take on the Red Wings. This will be not only my first Jets road game ever but my first NHL game of any kind in an arena other than the old barn on Maroons Road. I can't wait. I hope they win because, as stated, it will be a long time coming until I will get the chance to see them again.

I wanted so bad to be at Portage and Main when Mark Chipman announced the purchase of the Atlanta Thrashers I could almost taste it. I wanted to be at the parties, I wanted to be there to high-five my fellow Jetophiles and take in the atmosphere. I shared (and continue to) in the glee and excitement of my fellow Jets fans welcoming home our boys. I'm not ashamed to say I shed a tear or two over the last five months as memories of Dale Hawerchuck, Thomas Steen were tearing up the old Winnipeg Arena and later Teemu Selanne, Keith Tkachuck and Alexei Zhamnov.

Unfortunately, I was too young to witness (or really remember) the genesis of the Jets with Bobby Hull, Ulf Nillson and Anders Hedberg of the World Hockey Association. I take great pride in saying "we were right, you were wrong!" to all the naysayers over the years who said the Jets (or the NHL in general) would never be back. I simply laughed at the ignorant who have said (and some continue to) that Jets fans wouldn't support the team and that the team will be gone yet again in five to ten years.

But as for tonight, you've seen the videos, you've read the reports, you may have even been lucky enough to witness first-hand the Jets pre-season games. Everything you've read and seen about the excitement and noise level of Winnipeg fans is absolutely true. It is truly deafening and that alone will propel the Jets to a few wins I'm sure. Just wait until the playoffs!

I can't tell you how elated I am about my favorite team of all time in any league at any time. Some people live and die with the Dallas Cowboys or Los Angeles Lakers. For me it's the Jets and if and when they win the Stanley Cup, I will be on a high that will carry me all the way through to the next season. Even more so if any seasons after that don't exactly pan out the way they should. Heck, maybe even for the rest of my life if need be.

So here's to the new NHL season, the new Winnipeg Jets and to Jets fans all over the globe. The boys are home and all is right with the world.

Go Jets Go!

Sleepless in Winnipeg

Rookie Mark Scheifele is nervous and restless about his NHL debut and being part of the Winnipeg Jets team that returns to the city after 15 years.

“I will remember this for life."

Once in a Lifetime

The Sun's Ted Wyman has a great piece on what the return of the Jets mean to the hockey fans of Winnipeg.

Mick E. Moose Recalled from AHL

The Winnipeg Jets new mascot is not so new. The club has brought back the former mascot of the Manitoba Moose, Mick E. Moose.

I wasn't living in the city when the Moose were entertaining the hockey fans of Winnipeg, other than one game in the inaugural season in 1996 for one game against the Chicago Wolves. I don't even remember if Mick E. was a part of the team back then.

Personally, although I appreciate Mick E.'s tenure with the Moose in the AHL, I can't help but wonder why Benny wasn't resurrected instead. I know the above link to the article explains Mick E.'s history with Winnipeg's hockey fans, but what does a Moose have to do with the Jets?

If I were Benny, I'm come back to Winnipeg and have a few choice words with Mick E. and even Jets management.

Jets Claim Brett Maclean Off of Waivers

The Winnipeg Jets have claimed former Oshawa General and Phoenix Coyote, Brett Maclean off of waivers today.

Well, we had to steal something from Phoenix. It's only fair.

And..

Jets Assign Patrice Cormier to St. John's IceCaps

Bettman "Delighted" to Be Back in Manitoba

NHL commishener Gary Bettman spoke with Hockey Night in Canada radio about the Jets and the new role of Brendan Shanahan.

Jets Seek Off-Ice Chemistry

The Jets are enjoying the remnents of this years's beautiful Winnipeg summer before their first brutal Winnipg winter and the start of the 2011-12 NHL season in an attempt at some off-ice chemistry.

Also...

Antropov Happy to Be Playing in Canada

Jets Sign Aebischer, Assign Him to St. John's

The Winnipeg Jets have signed goaltender David Aebischer to a one year AHL deal.

Noel Expects Scheifele to Stay

Winnipeg Jets head coach Claude Noel says he'll be shocked if Mark Scheifele isn't on the Jets roster past the first nine games.

Jets Sign Scheifele

The Winnipeg Jets have signed 18-year-old first round draft pick Mark Scheifele on an entry-level contract. The terms were not disclosed.

It looks like the kid is sticking around.

Jets Release Pesonen, Send Postma & Gregoire to St. John's

The Winnipeg Jets today announced they have released Janne Pesonen and assigned Paul Postma and Jason Gregoire to the St. John's Icecaps.

Postma will be back soon, with Gregoire not too far behind.

Preds Take Jets in 3-2 Shootout Victory

The Winnipeg Jets ended their first pre-season in 15 years with a 4-3 record and a 3-2 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators with two goals by O'Reilly.

Scheifele Scores Again in Losing Effort; Bodes Well for His Chances to Stay

Mark Scheifele did his best to help his team overcome a late 2-1 deficit by scoring late in the third period and even though the Nashville Predators had the last laugh as they won the game 3-2 in a shootout, the future of the 18-year-old in Winnipeg, starting on Oct. 9, looks almost a lock.

Random Jets News

Here are a couple of stories before the Jets take to the ice in their final pre-season game against the Nashville Predators.

Club Makes Four Tough Cuts; Noel Shows Trotz Who's Boss
Jets’ Future Belongs to Kane
Jets Ticket Fraudster Busted
Jets Trying Not to Repeat Atlanta's Mistakes in Inaugural Season

WHL in Winnipeg?

Is there the Western Hockey League in Winnipeg's future? Does the success of the WHL in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver bode well for a team in the city? Having a Memorial Cup win in Winnipeg would be pretty cool and a long time coming. There hasn't been a Memorial Cup championship in Winnipeg since 1959 when the Winnipeg Braves took home the coveted and elusive trophy.

The CBC's Cassie Campbell-Pascall says maybe...

Could WHL Be Next in Winnipeg?

The Western Hockey League has enjoyed some success in NHL markets, so it begs the question: Is Winnipeg a WHL option in the future?
WHL commissioner Ron Robison thinks so, but the league hasn't had any formal discussions with anyone at this stage.

"Several parties have expressed interest in bringing a WHL team to Winnipeg over the past 10 years," he said. "I have also not spoken to Mark Chipman to determine their interest. Given that we do not envision expansion in the future, we will not be in a position to consider Winnipeg unless a relocation of an existing franchise would occur.
"Now that Winnipeg is an NHL market we believe we could co-exist with the Jets given our success in Calgary, Vancouver and Edmonton."

Jets Beat Hurricanes

In their second last pre-season game before shoring up the final roster for the start of the 2011-12 season, the Winnipeg Jets came from behind in the third period with three unanswered goals, including an empty-netter by Evander Kane (his second of the night) for a 3-1 victory.

How Close Was Winnipeg in Getting the Coyotes?

A good article from Arizona's Desert Dirt website (with a link to the Globe and Mail ) via SB Nation.

Jets Cut Down Roster, Send 20 to St.John's

The Winnipeg Jets have cut their roster down by 20 to ready their final roster for the start of the 2011-12 NHL season.

One name I didn't fully expect to be released was former Moose and fan-favorite, Jason Jaffray.

The Underrated: Thomas Steen

Anybody and everybody that watched Thomas Steen throughout his career with the Winnipeg Jets and especially those fans in the city of Winnipeg, this very good column is of no surprise. A lot of NHL executives as well as players have commended Steen over the yeras for his play and intellect as well as being of the opinion that Steen was probably the most underrated player of his generation.

Selanne Can't Wait

Of all the people that are heavily anticipating the return of Teemu Selanne to Winnipeg on Dec. 17, count in the Finnish Flash himself.

Jets Beat Senators at Hockeyville

The two standout rookies over the past three games, Troy Bodie and Mark Scheifele shone again last night as the Winnipeg Jets defeated the Ottawa Senators 3-1 in front of a full house of 6,275 at the Mile One Centre in St. John's, Newfoundland for the CBC's KRAFT Hockeyville NHL preseason game.

There are two preseason games left for the Jets, both home games against Carolina (Sept. 27) & Nashville(Sept. 30)before they welcome the Montreal Canadiens into the MTS Centre for the start of the 2011-12 season and Winnipeg's first NHL regular season game since April 12, 1996.

Scheifele, Gregoire and Klingberg Make the Cut for Now.

You can expect all three rookie sensations for the Winnipeg Jets to be asssigned to a roster other than the NHL club. Although Scheifele will most likely be offered a 10-day NHL contract for further observations by the Jets front office, he will be sent back to the Barrie Colts to afford him further development and allow him to tear up the Ontario Hockey League before rejoining the big club.

Those being sent back to their junior and/or collegiate programs are here.

My Number Two Jet of the Eighties Excited for Team's Return

I didn't care for him at first, due to his being acquired by the Jets in 1983 from the hated Edmonton Oilers in a trade for the wildly popular Willy Lidstrom (yes, the Jets had a talented Swede named Lidstrom before Detroit did)
But then I saw why the Jets brass wanted him. Laurie Boschman was a talented two-way player that had a work ethic that no one else brought to the team (perhaps besides Jets legends Dale Hawerchuck and Thomas Steen) That, and he was an awesome face-off man.

But in the short term after the trade, Bosch didn't win the battle of the newly-traded-players-facing-their-old-team, as Ol' Willy scored the backbreaking goal against the Jets in the final game of the 1984 Smythe division semi-finals against the Edmonton Oilers. The Jets would go golfing early again early many, many times at the hands of the Oilers in the upcoming years.

On hand in Conception Bay South in Newfoundland as part of KRAFT Hockeyville, Boschman spoke to NHL.com's Brian Compton.

Jets Lose Lead in Nashville

They were up by leads of 2-0 and 3-1 by goals from Spencer Machacek, Derek Meetch and Paul Postma, who knotted his second goal in as is many games. First round pick and talk of the town, Mark Scheifele garnered his fifth point in two games with an assist on Postma's goal.

Unfortunately, the Predators power play proved to be to effective as they potted three PPGs for the come from behind victory by a score of 4-3. Sergei Kostitsyn, Jordan Tootoo, Martin Erat and Patric Hornqvist scored for the Predators.

Byfuglien Facing Four Charges in Minnesota.

Apprently some police "drug recognition expert" concluded that Big Buff was under the influence of drugs when he was stopped by police while boating in Minnesota last month. He may really face problems crossing the border now.

Jets Split "Meaningless" Games with Columbus

They may have not meant much of anything to anyone either not associated or not a fan of the Winnipeg Jets, but to the 15, 004 people that filled the MTS Centre and those listening in on radio on 1290 in Winnipeg or anywhere in the world for that matter on the internet (as I did) but the two split-squad games that took place in Winnipeg and Columbus last night meant a whole lot to those that have waited 15 years for NHL hockey to return to the Manitoba capital.

Game one, in Columbus didn't go the way Jets fans would have liked, as Winnipeg's "Team 2" fell to the host Blue Jackets 5-1. That Jets squad comprised of Blake Wheeler, Evander Kane and rookie Carl Klingberg. Kane scored the lone goal for the Jets, which if your interested, is the "unofficial" first goal scored by the Winnipeg Jets since April 28, 1996.

But back in Winnipeg at the MTS Centre, where the "real" team was that had the likes of captain Andrew Ladd, Dustin Byfuglien, Zach Bogosian, Nik Antropov and Mark Scheiefle. Scheifele, the Jets first round pick in this years entry draft scored four points on the night with two goals and two assists. Scheifele in fact, was named the first star of the game ahead of Byfuglien and Ladd, the second and third stars respectively. The Jets ended the night with a 6-1 romp over the Columbus "B" team.

The crowd was as loud as everyone expected it to be and the radio commenters, Brian Munz and Shane Hnidy said they expected the Oct. 9 season-opening game against the Montreal Canadiens to be even crazier. I have no doubts about that. Even Chicago will be hard-pressed to out-decibel the rabid Winnipeg hockey fans.

Here is the atmosphere inside the MTS Centre upon the Jets hitting the ice for the first time in 15 years. And it's only the beginning.

Some Historical Shots for Posterity

Some action shots and fan reaction at last weekends opening days of training camp.
Sorry about the layout. For some reason, I can never get photos to line up side by side on Blogger.

Jets Draw Thousands to Open Practice

Thousands of fans turned out in Winnipeg Saturday to watch an open practice of the new Winnipeg Jets.

Why The Jets Sucked in 1980

You know the story. The Winnipeg Jets ruled the World Hockey Association (WHA) since its inception in 1973 until its death in 1979. The Jets were in five of the seven Avco Cup championships winning three including the last one in 1979 against the Edmonton Oilers and an eighteen-year-old Wayne Gretzky.

You also know that when the Jets, Oilers, New England (Hartford) Whalers and Quebec Noridiques were absorbed into the NHL, the Jets top three scorers were claimed by the NHL teams that they players either left to join the WHA or held their NHL draft rights. Right out of the gate, we lost Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson to the New York Rangers and about 80 percent of our scoring. Bobby Hull was traded to the Hartford Whalers.

This is the story of that injustice. It is also the story of the relationship of John Ferguson and the Winnipeg Jets. A good read. Enjoy.

Selanne Returns for Final Year, Signs with Ducks

Teemu Selanne, the NHL rookie record holder for goals (76) and points (132) has signed with the Anaheim Ducks for his final NHL season.

I know, I know. Everybody was wishing that maybe, just maybe, Teemu Selanne would end his career with the same team he started with. I don't think anybody really expected it to happen, but just chalk it up to Winnipeg hockey fans not only wanting their prodigal son to return home for his swan song, but to keep a little of the past team alive.

It wasn't like Jets fans were on pins and needles that maybe the Finnish Flash would succumb to nostalgia as Selanne already said if he came back for one more year, it would be with Anaheim. I'm sure a lot of fans are disappointed, but he only spent three years in Winnipeg. Yes, his first year was one that you will probably never see a rookie duplicate and he was, and still is, loved by all Jets fans young and old, but he did spend 12 out of the past 16 seasons in Anaheim (not including the 2004-05 locked out season.) Most importantly, he won a Stanley Cup with the Ducks in 2007.

I mean, what would you do? I don't think if even the Jets offered him five or six million for one year would have made him change his mind. He's more honorable than that.

Just wait until the Ducks visit Winnipeg. He's going to get a pretty wild ovation.
And one more thing fellow Jets fans, don't be upset when he rightfully (as much as it pains me to say that) goes into the Hall of Fame as an Anaheim Duck.

Jets Open Training Camp Today

Their first one in 15 years. The Winnipeg Jets opened training camp today at the MTS Iceplex with medicals and physicals. Tomorrow, the big boys start on-ice practices.

Jets, Manitoba Government Partner Up to Help At Risk Kids

The Winnipeg Jets and the provincial government have joined forces to help at-risk high school students in Manitoba.
The announcement was made Friday morning at MTS Centre by Premier Greg Selinger and True North Sports and Entertainment chairman Mark Chipman.

Jets Rookies Take Two Out of Three in Pendicton

Even though things never seem to change against the Edmonton Oilers as the Winnipeg Jets squad lost to them 2-0 Tuesday night, the Jets rookies skated out of the Young Stars Tournament with a 2-1 record after beating San Jose in their opener 2-0 on Monday and blanking the host Vancouver Canucks 2-0 today. The Jets allowed only two goals in three games as Jason Gregoire, Shayne Wiebe, Carl Klingberg, goalie Edward Pasquale and especially first round pick Mark Scheifele, who notched one goal (not counting one that was credited to Gregoire) and two assists in the three games, were standouts.

By the way, the above pic is the first here of any team in active competition that wore the new logo.
(CNS LARRY WONG/EDMONTON JOURNAL/)

Jets Sign Bogosian

The Winnipeg Jets have signed defenseman Zach Bogosian to a two-year deal.

Scheifele Impresses at Tournament

The Winnipeg Jets number one pick and seventh overall in thwe 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Mark Scheifele wowed the media in attendence today at the 2011 Young Stars tournament with his patience, poise and soft hands.

Jets in New EA 2012 Game

Finally! The Winnipeg Jets have returned to video game form for the first time since 1995. EA Sports has released "NHL 12," the most popular franchise going for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.

However, even though the new Jets logo is included in NHL 12, the team’s jerseys; unveiled just last week, are not. The team is sporting generic NHL jerseys, just like first-round pick Mark Scheifele had to do at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, but EA is looking into an upgrade for the game now that Winnipeg's jerseys have been released to the public.

Byfuglien to Face Charges

A Minnesota district attorney is giving the go-ahead for drunk boating charges against Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dustin Byfuglien, even though Byfuglien did not fail a breathalyzer.

Bogosian Wants A Deal Done

Zach Bogosian, the one member of the new Winnipeg Jets that hasn't signed a contract for the 2011-12 season as of this writing, expects a deal done soon as he emphatically has stated he wants to play in Winnipeg.

Jets Rookie Camp

The young new pilots in training for the Winnipeg Jets are getting ready for the Young Stars tournament in Penticton, BC at the Jets Rookie Camp. There are a few lads to keep an eye on, including first-round pick Mark Scheifele, former UND Sioux Jason Gregoire and Swedish prospect Carl Klingberg.
Other former Thrashers picks are being looked at as well.

Jets Announce Partnership with ECHL's Eagles

The Winnipeg Jets have announced that their new East Coast Hockey League affiliate is the Colorado Eagles.

Jets Sign Wellwood

Veteran centre and former Windsor Spitfire Kyle Wellwood has been signed to a one year, $700,000 contract with the Winnipeg Jets.

The Winnipeg Free Press's (via The National Post) Tim Campbell has more.

Ex-Jet Igor Korolev Among Victims of Russian Plane Crash

Former Winnipeg Jet Igor Korolev (1994-1996) was one of the passengers on the ill-fated plane carrying the Russian hockey team, Locomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League, along with other ex-NHLers Brad McCrimmon and Pavel Demitra.

The Winnipeg Sun's Paul Friesen has the story, as does the AP via TSN.

The Globe and Mail has a great inside scoop on Korelev's heart and love for his adopted country.

About That TSN Jets Channel

So, here's the skinny so far on the announced Jets channel from TSN, via the Illegal Curve website.

Jets Unveil Jerseys

Tuesday morning the Winnipeg Jets unveiled their highly awaited jerseys to a crowd of military personnel and members of the press at 17 Wing Winnipeg's No. 10 Hangar.

Jets Lay Down Logo at Center Ice at MTS Centre

Crews at the MTS Centre spent mere minutes Friday installing a massive Jets logo at the centre ice. It was later covered with a fine mist of water to seal it in.

Here's some more photos:

And I just found video of the installation: