Jets Claim Peluso Off of Waivers

With the injury to Antti Miettinen, the Winnipeg Jets have acquired right-winger Anthony Peluso off of waivers from the St. Louis Blues.

Jets Have No Nervousness; Excitement Abounds

Despite the lockout-shortened season that may reduce the readiness for coaches and players, the Winnipeg Jets are showing no signs of nerves or apprehension before their season opener against the Ottawa Senators.  In fact, one could say they are giddy with excitement.

Pavy Wants to Mind Them All

Asked if it were up to him how many games he would prefer to play this lockout-shortened season, Winnipeg Jets goaltender Ondrej Pavelec said to the Free Press's Ed Tait, "If they ask me, I'm going to say 48."

Jets Resign Jaffray

The Winnipeg Jets have re-signed long time Manitoba Moose and current St. John's Ice Caps captain Jason Jaffray to a new two-way contract.  Of which, terms were not disclosed.

Not Being Groomed to be A Banger

Mark Scheifele's second go around with the Winnipeg Jets in trying to secure a roster spot with the NHL club is tempered by the fact that there are probably fewer top six spots for him to compete for.  But being sent back to the OHL's Barrie Colts is neither an option nor a mindset for the 2011 first round draft pick.

Scheifele is here to make the team and to stick around permanently.  He may play as a second-liner with Kyle Wellwood or a third liner with Chris Thorburn and Mark Stuart, but that would be a waste of his talent.  Scheifele will eventually be a bona fide NHL star.  That time may not be this year, but soon.  The Jets have him in camp to be top-liner, not to be a mucker and grinder.

Jets Training Camp Officially Opens

With the ratification of the new CBA by the league's players, the Winnipeg Jets and the rest of the NHL officially opened their respective training camps for the shortened 2012-2013 season.

Coach Noel's First 2013 Presser

Coach Claude Noel speaks to the Winnipeg media for the first time since the end of last season and gives his take on the opening day of training camp. 

Wheeler Excited to be Back in the 'Peg

Blake Wheeler, after his lock-out stint with the Red Bull Munchen in Munich, Germany of the German Elite League, says he had a blast in Europe, but says he couldn't wait to get back to playing for the Winnipeg Jets and entertain the raucous fans at the MTS Centre.

Chipman Speaks About New CBA

The Winnipeg Free Press's Gary Lawless sat down with Winnipeg Jets co-owner and True North Sports & Entertainment CEO and Chairman Mark Chipman and discussed the new 10-year NHL collective bargaining Agreement.

Chipman also discussed the new CBA in terms of how it will ultimately make the Jets more competitive in the years to come, including possible high-profile free-agent signings.

Jets Take to the Ice for First Time Since End of Lockout

Other than a handful of players, including Evander Kane and Kyle Wellwood, who are expected in town by Friday morning, the Winnipeg Jets are back in town and hit the newly painted ice of the MTS Centre as a full group on Thursday for the first time since the NHL lockout ended early morning last Sunday.

Pavelec First Meeting with Press After 7/12 DUI

Ondrej Pavelec, back in Winnipeg for the first time since the NHL lockout began and the first time he has spoken to the media after his July, 2012 DUI arrest in his native Czech Republic. 

Game On!

NHL hockey is back as Donald Fehr and the NHL Players Association along with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman have agreed to the basic framework of a new 10-year collective bargaining agreement.  The agreement was reached Sunday although the players still have to ratify the agreement and any hope of salvaging the 2012-2013 NHL season with a 48-game, intra-conference play schedule will have to be drawn up soon.

Despite Another Goal by Scheifele, Canada Comes Up Empty at World Juniors

Despite an eight-point performance by the Winnipeg Jets Mark Scheifele, along with the Edmonton Oilers Ryan Nugent-Hopkins leading all skaters in the tournament with 15 points, Team Canada came up empty in Ufa, Russia this year, losing in the bronze medal game to the host team 6-5 in a thrilling overtime game, that marks the first time since an eighth-place finish in 1998 that Canada went home without a medal.  That is a 14-year stretch that will have to start again next year in Malmo, Sweden.

States Down Canada in World Junior Semis

It was a great run while it lasted.  Going undefeated throughout the round-robin portion of the 2013 IIHF World Under 20 Hockey Championship (yes, it's the same World Juniors) Team Canada defeated both of their biggest rivals in the hockey universe, Team USA and Team Russia, only to lose to the Americans when it really mattered.  Since 2010, that's three times the Americans have crushed Canada's junior hockey gold aspirations; beating them in gold medal final matches in that year, six years earlier in 2004 and now this year taking Team Canada out one game away from the gold medal match.

Jets, Blue Jackets to Switch Divisions?

If and when the NHL and NHLPA somehow strike a deal before the deadline of January 14 to salvage at least half season, there might be a little conference realignment between Columbus and Winnipeg.  A story in Sports Illustrated thinks so.

I still think when it comes to putting the Jets in the right time zone, a switch with Nashville would be the easiest and most logical.

The Other International Hockey Tournament

With all the fanfare surrounding the 2013 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Ufa, Russia; there hasn't been all that much attention paid to the other tournament involving Team Canada that rarely gets press due to the World Juniors.   The Spengler Cup Invitational is a international tournament that involves club teams from around Europe and has been in existence since 1923, making it the oldest such tournament other than the IIHF World Senior Mens Championship and the Olympics.  Canada first participated in 1984 winning it all, defeating Dukla Jihlava HC from the former Czechoslovakia.  Canada defeated the host team, HC Davos from Switzerland this year, 7-2.  It is Team Canada's twelfth tournament victory.

Scheifele Scores Again, Canada Advances to Semis with Win Over Russia

Even though he was responsible for a give-a-way that the Russians took full advantage of, Mark Scheifele first scored one of his own on the power play to give Canada an early 2-0 lead and this years Canadian contingent at the IIHF World Under 20 Hockey Championship.  They will now face the winner of the Switzerland-USA quarter-final game.

Trouba Scores for United States as Canada Downs U.S.

Even though he did his hard-hitting best and helped to cut his teams deficit to one by scoring late in the third period,  United States defenseman and 2012 Winnipeg Jets first-round pick Jacob Trouba and his fellow Americans fell to Team Canada 2-1 on Sunday morning in Ufa, Russia.

Scheifele Leads Canada Over Slovakia

Once again Mark Scheifele has shown why the Winnipeg Jets made him their 2011 first-round selection.
With Canada down 2-0 and short-handed twice by two men, including two 10-minute misconduct penalties that left Canada short on forwards,Scheifele took it upon himself to step up and lead Canada to a 6-3 win.

Meanwhile, in the USA/Russia game, Jets 2012 first-round draft-pick Jacob Trouba scored a power-play goal for the Americans in a losing effort.

Favourite Moments of 2012

Ever since the return of the Winnipeg Jets last year, I've been wanting to create a "favourite moments" collage.  I know it's a little late in coming (with several videos instead of a highlight reel on one)
Here are the best moments of the 2011-2012 Winnipeg Jets, in no particular order.





Or this video package I found o YouTube. Some of the same plays, but in a better, condensed video.

Scheifele Knots Two as Canada's Juniors Down Germany

As expected, Canada's world junior hockey team defeated Team Germany with authority on Boxing Day in the opening game of the 2013 World Junior Hockey Championship by a score of 9-3.  The Jets Mark Scheifele scored twice, including a short-handed tally, and the Oilers Ryan Nugent-Hopkins dominated the German team with a five-point night.

TSN has the details.

Hawerchuck Sees Big Things for Scheifele at WJC

Barrie Colts Head Coach and Winnipeg Jets legend Dale Hawerchuck is big on his star and Jets 2011 first-round draft pick Mark Scheifele and sees him being a major contributor at next months IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Ufa, Russia.

Keeping an Eye on the Prospects

Ever since the relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg, writers and fans have had a keen interest in the players that will make up the future of the Winnipeg Jets.  Some, like center Mark Scheifele's moves around the Ontario Hockey League, American Hockey League and Team Canada's junior ranks, have been well documented, while others have been somewhat exposed to the limelight such as Ivan Telegin.

 The Hockey Future website seems to think the future of the Jets is in good hands, with a piece entitled, "Rebuild Continues to Go Well for the Winnipeg Jets."

Schiefele, Trouba Off to Russia

Top Winnipeg Jets draft selection and prospect Mark Scheifele has made the Canadian World Junior team in his quest for another shot at a gold medal.  Meanwhile the Jets 2012 first round pick Jacob Trouba has also been invited to his respective national team camp for the United States.  He is expected to make the team.

Noel Waiting to Go

While using his free time this locked-out NHL season working with pee-wee and bantam teams, Winnipeg Jets Head Coach Claude Noel can't wait to get going as soon (and if) the NHL lock out ends.

Stuart Signs with Everblades of ECHL

Fed up with daily skating at the MTS Iceplex and wanting to play in actual competitive, meaningful games, Winnipeg Jets defenseman Mark Stuart has signed with the Florida Everblades of the East Coast Hockey League.

Chipman Earns Repect

In a very short while, Winnipeg Jets co-owner and True North Sports & Entertainment CEO Mark Chipman has gained respect of the National Hockey League's Board of Governors very quickly it would seem.  It's no surprise though.  Chipman's patience, humility, influence and intelligence got him where he is today.  A successful business and family man.  Those very virtues listed above, through time diligence also got Chipman TNSE the MTS Centre built.  It  got him the experience and know-how as a professional hockey team owner that gave him multiple Executive of the Year awards in the American Hockey League, franchise financial success and respect and admiration from other owners in the league, including AHL league commissioner Dave Andrews; which ultimately led Chipman, TNSE and the city of Winnipeg back to the NHL.

The owners like Chipman.  His players do too.  Is there any mystery then as to why he was selected to be one of six owners to sit down and talk to the players to try and bring some major progress to the CBA negotiations?  There shouldn't be.

The Winnipeg Free Press's Gary Lawless has a article on Chipman's new found stature in the NHL.

Don't be surprised before too long, when the Jets have great success both on and off the ice and Chipman is the talk of the NHL in terms of being a league power broker and whiz kid.  Heck, he may even be added to the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame under the builders category on the walls of his own building in downtown Winnipeg while he still actively owns the team.

Chipman To Be One of Six NHL Owners to Meet with Players

Winnipeg Jets co-owner and True North Sports & Entertainment CEO (and some would say savior) Mark Chipman has been selected by the NHL Board of Governors to be one of six owners to meet with six of the NHL players.  The confident, yet quiet and humble Chipman will certainly be a welcomed presence at the negotiating table, as his laid-back demeanor will certainly be a soothing alternative to the contentious atmosphere between the two sides thus far.

This comes as a welcomed surprise by Jets players.

Scheifele Only Jet Prospect Invited to WJC

Winnipeg Jets 2.0 first-ever draft pick (first round, seventh overall) Mark Scheifele is the only prospect of the club that has been invited to camp of the 2013 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.

Jets Value Skyrockets

according to a new report by Forbes Magazine, the Winnipeg Jets are the 20th most valuable team in the National Hockey League when it comes to "hockey related revenue" (HRR) which is the difference between teams that draw their revenue that don't recieve help from a co-tenant in their current arenas such as those who share a National Basketball Association team.

Because of merchandising sales, corporate support, sold-out games every night and owing their own venue (ensuring all revenue of said venue including, parking, and concession that the Jets 1.0 didn't receive due to the greedy Winnipeg Enterprises that took all revenue-save for ticket sales-from the Jets and old Winnipeg Arena)