It’s going to be a big year for the Winnipeg Jets. The team, celebrating its sixth year in the NHL, is set to host two outdoor games, as well as launch their team Hall of Fame.
The October 22 alumni game, the first-ever NHL outdoor game in Winnipeg, will showcase old-time talent between former Jets and Oilers. Among the returning elite are fan favourites Teemu Selanne and Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky, who will lead the Oilers, will be joined by Mark Messier, Kevin Lowe, and Charlie Huddy, the Jets’ current assistant coach. Dale Hawerchuk will not only be team captain of the Jets alumni, but he was also part of the committee in charge of selecting players. The Jets’ 21-player roster also includes Thomas Steen and Dave Babych.
A familiar face among fans and players alike, Hawerchuk’s return to Winnipeg gives him the opportunity to watch a player he helped develop during his time as head coach in Juniors for the Barrie Colts. Former Colt and current Jets centre man Mark Scheifele will be in the lineup as the Jets take on the Oilers in the Heritage Classic the following day. The Heritage Classic will mark the team’s fifth game of the season.
The pair of outdoor games will take place at Investors Group Field, home of the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers, which can hold over 30,000 fans. That will make it the biggest venue most of the players have ever played in.
While it’s too soon to anticipate any specific matchups, it will be exciting to watch young guns Connor McDavid and Jesse Puljujärvi battle against the Jets’ Patrick Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers.
The Winnipeg Jets are also ready to launch their Hall of Fame in the week leading up to the Alumni and Heritage Classic. According to a statement from the Jets, the Hall of Fame was “created to acknowledge the rich history of the team, which began with the World Hockey Association, and quickly reached international significance.” The first three players inducted will be Bobby Hull, Anders Hedberg, and Ulf Nillson, a trio that made up the infamous “hot line.” Hull is the only inductee not making an appearance at the inaugural ceremony due to personal reasons.
In other news, four-year defenseman Jacob Trouba has demanded a trade, citing lack of ice time. The right shot defenceman and restricted free agent is currently owned by the Winnipeg Jets for the next four years. With the Jets having two established right shot defencemen locked in, with Byfuglien and Myers, Trouba is left to play third line unless he’s willing to switch to the left side.
A statement released on September 23 by Trouba’s agent says, “Our client, Jacob Trouba will not be attending the Winnipeg Jets NHL training camp. Since May, we have been working with the Jets management in an effort to facilitate the trade of Jacob’s rights.”
With the absence of Trouba during the Heritage Classic, as well as potentially the rest of the season, the team will likely be looking to younger players to fill the void.
The Jets’ front office also released a statement regarding the situation: “Over the last three seasons, Jacob Trouba has played a key role for the Winnipeg Jets and in our view still represents an important part of the long term future of our club. As such, any decisions made regarding Jacob Trouba will be made in the best interest of the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club.”
Needless to say, it’s shaping up to be an interesting first month for the Jets.
