Hockey – Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Jets centre Gabriel Vilardi (13) battles for the puck against Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke (92), left wing Jeff Malott, second from left, and defenseman Joel Edmundson (6) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Jessie Alcheh / The Associated Press)

Kings snap Jets’ winning streak

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025

Scott Arniel thought the Winnipeg Jets did enough defensively to earn a different result.

But when it comes to the quality and quantity of the looks generated, that’s where the Jets fell short in the eyes of the head coach during what became a 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday after two insurance markers were allowed in the final five minutes of regulation time.

“I don’t think we created enough offence,” Arniel told reporters in California. “We didn’t give up much. We gave up one in the first, obviously a big one. But I didn’t think we got to second opportunities or continuous attacks.

“When we’re on, it’s a shot, it’s a rebound and then, all of a sudden, it’s another play. Today, we were kind of one and done. We only had 10 five-on-five scoring chances. Our power play, we were one play away from maybe making it happen. The execution just wasn’t as sharp as it usually is. They did a pretty good job of keeping us on our heels.”

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Jets look to capitalize on six-game road trip

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Jets look to capitalize on six-game road trip

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025

Scott Arniel hasn’t spent a lot of time wondering when the Winnipeg Jets might actually get to dress a full lineup.

Sure, the head coach of the Jets has drawn up a number of permutations and combinations, whether that’s on a napkin on the plane or the dry erase board in his coach’s office.

But Arniel also knows that the only way he’ll be able to determine what that optimal lineup might look like is to get the puzzle pieces together if and when this group gets back to full health.

As the Jets opened a season-long six-game road trip against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, they welcomed back Adam Lowry to the lineup, a move that certainly moves the needle — given the importance of both the role he plays and the voice he carries as an emotional leader.

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Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS
The Winnipeg Jets top trio are off to a hot start this season. From left: Mark Scheifele, Gabriel Vilardi and Kyle Connor celebrate Vilardi’s goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.

Jets looking for a November to remember

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Jets looking for a November to remember

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Friday, Oct. 31, 2025

The Winnipeg Jets finished October on a high. Now they open a challenging new month by hosting hockey’s hottest team.

Few, if any, puck pundits had the Pittsburgh Penguins pegged to sit atop the NHL standings at any point this season. Yet that’s exactly where they are, rolling into town with an 8-2-2 record.

That sets up a marquee matchup Saturday afternoon at Canada Life Centre, with the 8-3-0 Jets also feeling good about their game after back-to-back victories.

“Pittsburgh has been playing great lately. We have to be ready for a tough test,” Jets centre Mark Scheifele said following Friday’s practice at the downtown rink. “Playing against Sidney Crosby, there’s always a lot of motivation.”

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Friday, Oct. 31, 2025

Gene J. Puskar / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES
The Winnipeg Jets will start November at home with a matinee game against the NHL’s hottest team, hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday at Canada Life Centre.

‘We still haven’t come close to playing our complete game yet’: Arniel

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

‘We still haven’t come close to playing our complete game yet’: Arniel

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

Scott Arniel chose his words carefully.

Asked for a bigger-picture assessment of the 10-game block to open the season, the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets made it clear that as happy as he is about the 14 points that have been put in the bank, but further improvements will be required to sustain a pace that includes a .700 winning percentage.

“I’m happy with 7-3. I don’t ever want to talk down on being 7-3, but we still haven’t come close to playing our complete game yet,” Arniel said after the Jets defeated the Minnesota Wild 4-3 in overtime and before using Wednesday to recharge the batteries. “There’s signs of things that we’re doing better, but sometimes it’s two steps forward, one step back.

“But it’s early in the year and if we’re going to do it, do it now. Get it out of the way. But I like the fact that, even though we haven’t played our best hockey, we’re still sitting at 7-3.”

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Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

ANGELINA KATSANIS / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES
The Winnipeg Jets have opened the season with a flattering 7-3 record. Forward Nino Niederreiter (right) said the club is still looking to improve, and thinks the team will feel better when they “find a way to pull a full 60 minutes together.”

Toews looking forward to early-season matchup against former club

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

Toews looking forward to early-season matchup against former club

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

Jonathan Toews knows this won’t just be another game.

Given all that has transpired over the course of nearly two decades with the Chicago Blackhawks, there’s no chance the first meeting against the team that chose him third overall in the 2006 NHL draft could just be one of 82 on the schedule.

The four-second pregnant pause Toews took before answering a question about the significance of the meeting early this week told a story in itself.

“I don’t know. It is what it is. I’m so past that point now,” Toews told the Free Press in a one-on-one interview this week. “It’s been a couple of years. I’ve kind of wrapped my head around (the fact) things are over in Chicago. But yeah, the first time, it will be interesting.”

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Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Jets’ Jonathan Toews has nothing but gratitude for the Chicago Blackhawks franchise. The forward will be facing his former club for the first time Thursday at Canada Life Centre.

Winnipeg Jets’ penalty kill one step ahead

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Winnipeg Jets’ penalty kill one step ahead

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

It’s the type of conversation that makes NHL coaches uncomfortable, out of fear that discussing it will cause it to unravel.

So it’s understandable when Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel brings humour into the equation when his sizzling-hot penalty kill is raised.

Arniel wants to keep most of the finer details to himself, out of fear of providing a subtle clue or two about what has made the unit so successful to a future opponent.

The other part of him has no interest in tempting fate, which makes sense when you consider the Jets have managed to kill off 23 consecutive minors and are 26-for-27 for the season while playing shorthanded.

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Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Morgan Barron scored a shorthanded goal against the Dallas Stars in the Jets season-opener.

Morrissey latest Jet to reach franchise milestone

Ken Wiebe 5 minute read Preview

Morrissey latest Jet to reach franchise milestone

Ken Wiebe 5 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

Milestone magic has been prominent for the Winnipeg Jets in the early part of this season.

By assisting on Mark Scheifele’s game-winning goal on Monday against the Calgary Flames, Josh Morrissey moved past Dustin Byfuglien for the most assists by a defenceman in Jets franchise history.

When asked about the significance of hitting 295 assists, Morrissey was quick to shout out Byfuglien for the impact he’s had on his NHL career.

“My first D partner in the NHL. We played the first 40 or 50 games together as a pairing in my rookie year,” said Morrissey. “I have so much respect for him and I’m very thankful for his mentorship early on and how many things I learned from him. I’m not sure I ever thought I’d pass him in something, but it’s pretty cool. It’s a testament to playing with a lot of great players and a lot of guys that can put the puck in the back of the net.”

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Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

Matt Slocum / The Associated Press
On Monday against Calgary, Josh Morrissey surpassed Dustin Byfuglien’s mark for most assists by a Jets defenceman.

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Morrissey leads the Jets to 5-3 win over Canucks

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

Morrissey leads the Jets to 5-3 win over Canucks

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

VANCOUVER – Josh Morrissey took matters in his own hands.

With the Winnipeg Jets in the midst of a three-game losing streak, the top-pairing defenceman and alternate captain was the picture of calm after the morning skate.

While acknowledging that the Jets were working through some issues, Morrissey exuded a quiet confidence when laying out some thoughts on what needed to change for his team to get back on track.

“For us, we feel that there is another level — or multiple levels — to our game,” said Morrissey. “Obviously, we’ve got some new faces but we’re 15 games in now. Everyone should know the system and structure and be comfortable in it. So now, it’s about let’s get on the gas and let’s get playing here.

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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Winnipeg Jets’ Adam Lowry, front left to right, Nino Niederreiter and Alex Iafallo celebrate Niederreiter’s goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period of an NHL hockey game, in Vancouver, on Tuesday. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press)

Jets still in search of consistency outside of top line, Stanley

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

Jets still in search of consistency outside of top line, Stanley

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025

The only thing Mark Scheifele could do was look skyward in disbelief.

The Winnipeg Jets’ first-line centre was on the ice in the waning moments of Monday’s game with the Ottawa Senators, doing everything in his power to help preserve a one-goal lead.

With Senators defenceman Jake Sanderson looking to unload a shot from the point during a six-on-five situation, Scheifele instinctively got his stick in the lane in an effort to block it.

Instead of preventing the puck from getting to the net, Sanderson’s shot changed direction and somehow made it behind Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck with 1:54 to go in regulation time.

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Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025

Fred Greenslade / THE CANADIAN PRESS
Winnipeg Jets defenceman Logan Stanley (left) celebrates his goal against the Ottawa Senators with Mark Scheifele on Monday. Stanley is currently tied for fourth among all NHL defencemen in even strength goals.

Perfetti looking for a St. Louis spark

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Perfetti looking for a St. Louis spark

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025

ST. LOUIS — Cole Perfetti isn’t looking for another Manitoba Miracle. But the struggling Winnipeg Jets winger sure could use a change of fortune after a frustrating run of bad luck and sub-par play.

Perhaps Wednesday’s Central Division clash here in Missouri might get him and some of his teammates going. A St. Louis spark, if you will.

It’s the first meeting between the Jets and Blues since that magical moment last spring, when Perfetti saved his team’s season with a last-second, Game 7 tying goal. Winnipeg went on to win the series thanks to Adam Lowry’s overtime heroics.

“It’s nice to look back on and it’s a very good memory to have,” Perfetti said Tuesday when asked by reporters to take a stroll into the past.

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Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025

Karl DeBlaker / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti has just seven points through 18 games since returning from a high-ankle sprain he suffered in a pre-season game against Calgary.

Strathclair sniper a scoring sensation

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

Strathclair sniper a scoring sensation

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025

Morgan Geekie doesn’t know what all the fuss is about.

The pride of Strathclair rolled into town for his annual visit with the Boston Bruins and — as usual — he drew a pretty large crowd of media around his stall after the morning skate.

This is standard operating procedure for most Manitoba-born players.

But there haven’t been many of those guys that have arrived on the scene this late in the season in a battle for the Rocket Richard Trophy, which is precisely where Geekie finds himself, going toe-to-toe with Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche in the battle to be the leading goal scorer in the NHL (and MacKinnon leading 24-22).

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Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025

Ethan Swope / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES
Boston Bruins forward Morgan Geekie (39) celebrates his goal against Anaheim back in November. The Strathclair product had netted 22 goals going into game action against the Winnipeg Jets Thursday night.

Bettman, Daly address state of the Jets, league

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

Bettman, Daly address state of the Jets, league

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025

Gary Bettman wasn’t here to sound the alarm or to apply any pressure to the ticket-buying public.

As Bettman, the commissioner of the NHL, and deputy commissioner Bill Daly sat at a table in front of the assembled members of the media inside Canada Life Centre on Wednesday morning, there was no formal agenda to adhere to.

This was a routine check-in with one of the 32 member clubs, which gave Bettman another platform to extol the virtues of an exciting start to a season where parity has taken centre stage.

The recent announcement related to the Winnipeg Jets hosting the Montreal Canadiens in an outdoor game next October was celebrated, questions about the upcoming Olympics were sorted through and Bettman also conceded that the Jets quest to reclaim their 1.0 history remains a work in progress — though that would suggest the efforts will continue until a suitable resolution is found.

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Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman (right) and deputy commissioner Bill Daly spoke to the media Wednesday at Canada Life Centre.

Perfetti trying to stay confident during cold streak

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Perfetti trying to stay confident during cold streak

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025

Cole Perfetti has been down this frustrating road before.

And while it hasn’t made it any easier to avoid the potholes he’s encountered during this latest slump, having that road map does provide a sense of calm for the Winnipeg Jets forward as he battles to work through things.

Perfetti has battled through adversity in the form of surgeries that ended consecutive seasons prematurely and he’s powered through lengthy goal-scoring droughts.

But what he’s going through right now is a combination of working his way back from a significant injury while searching to find the level he’s established for himself on a more consistent basis.

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Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025

Karl DeBlaker / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Jets winger Cole Perfetti suffered a high-ankle sprain in an exhibition game against the Calgary Flames back in October.

Hellebuyck one step closer to returning

Ken Wiebe 5 minute read Preview

Hellebuyck one step closer to returning

Ken Wiebe 5 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025

Scott Arniel wasn’t playing coy, he just doesn’t want to get ahead of himself.

When it comes to the health of Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, the fact he joined his teammates for Wednesday’s skate was nothing more than the next important steps on his road to recovery after undergoing arthroscropic knee surgery last month.

At least for the time being.

“He’s getting closer. The workload is going up, so you’re probably going to see a lot more of that,” said Arniel, who was asked a follow up question about whether or not the timeline had shifted from the initial four-to-six weeks. “I’m not a doctor. I don’t know. You know what? He’s feeling really good. Two things. What happens after a big day like today, how he feels when he wakes up in the morning. And then the other side is conditioning. Those are the two biggest things for him.”

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Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025

Darryl Dyck / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck made his last start on Nov. 15 before undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.

Jets rumoured to host Habs at 2026 Heritage Classic

Ken Wiebe 3 minute read Preview

Jets rumoured to host Habs at 2026 Heritage Classic

Ken Wiebe 3 minute read Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025

It looks like the 2026 Heritage Classic will feature the Winnipeg Jets and the Montreal Canadiens.

Although an official announcement has yet to be made, NHL insider Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports posted a link from the Jets’ website that has since been removed, revealing a few new details about the event.

The seventh edition of the Heritage Classic is expected to be played on Sunday, Oct. 25, at Princess Auto Stadium, home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

It will be the third time the Jets appear in — and host — a Heritage Classic.

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Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025

Liam Richards / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
The Winnipeg Jets celebrate a goal during the 2019 NHL Heritage Classic outdoor hockey game in Regina.

Legendary Flyers enforcer chronicles highs and lows on and off the ice in new memoir

Reviewed by Gilbert Gregory 4 minute read Preview

Legendary Flyers enforcer chronicles highs and lows on and off the ice in new memoir

Reviewed by Gilbert Gregory 4 minute read Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025

The way hockey is played changed dramatically in the early to mid-1970s, when the Philadelphia Flyers rose to the highest echelons of the NHL by using violence and intimidation to create space for the team’s skilled players, winning the Stanley Cup in 1974 and 1975.

At the forefront of the violence and intimidation component of the success of the team, which came to be nicknamed the Broad Street Bullies, was Dave ‘The Hammer” Schultz.

A smalltown boy from rural Saskatchewan, Schultz was thrust into the role of intimidating the opposition by pounding its tougher players into submission, setting NHL records for penalty minutes along the way. It was a role he was never entirely comfortable with, but he embraced it nonetheless, as it meant living his dream of playing in the NHL. (Schulz was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1976, and would go on to play for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres before retiring after the 1980-81 season.) As he says in Hammered: The Fight of My Life, “I never loved it. But from the moment I started fighting, I knew I couldn’t stop.”

Fifty years after the Flyers won their second of two consecutive Stanley Cups, and more than 40 years after his career came to a sudden (if not predictable) end, Schultz was an angry alcoholic, estranged from his family and friends, living a life of regret and looking for answers. He knew he had made mistakes in his life and takes responsibility for them, but as a product of the macho world of professional sports he can’t admit he has problems, let alone allow himself to seek help for them.

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Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025

December 27, 2025

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