NHL – Winnipeg Free Press

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Stonewall’s Amy Martin suited up for her first NHL assignment last weekend in Montreal, reffing two Winnipeg Jets games at the prospects tournament.

Stonewall native adds NHL to her long list of officiating milestones

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Yesterday at 6:12 PM CDT

Talk about a “Welcome to the Big Leagues” moment.

Amy Martin, a 30-year-old referee from Manitoba, got one last weekend in Montreal. Invited to help officiate the NHL prospect challenge tournament featuring young stars from four teams, her very first assignment came under the bright lights of the Bell Centre in a clash between the hometown Canadiens versus the Winnipeg Jets.

It didn’t take long before roughly 20,000 fans were chanting “ref you suck” in her direction after what they perceived as a missed infraction.

Offended? Not at all. For Martin, it was a badge of honour.

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Former Jets captain officially hangs up blades

Free Press staff 2 minute read Preview

Former Jets captain officially hangs up blades

Free Press staff 2 minute read Saturday, Jul. 19, 2025

He’d been out of the game for a while, and the end came for a Winnipeg Jets 2.0 legend on Saturday.

The team’s long-time captain, Blake Wheeler, announced his retirement from the NHL after 16 NHL seasons.

Wheeler, 38, hadn’t played a game since the 2023-24 season when he put up nine goals and 21 points in 54 games with the New York Rangers. His regular season was cut short when he was injured on Feb 15, but he did suit up for one playoff game on May 28 against the Florida Panthers. It would be his only playoff appearance that season.

Wheeler played 13 seasons with the Jets/Thrashers franchise, and was its captain from 2016 to 2022. Wheeler was taken fifth overall in the 2004 draft by the Phoenix Coyotes. He played 1,172 NHL games for the Boston Bruins, Atlanta Thrashers, Jets and Rangers and put up 943 points (321 goals and 622 assists). He also recorded 10 goals and 45 points in 66 playoff games.

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Saturday, Jul. 19, 2025

Winnipeg Jets right wing Blake Wheeler (26) celebrates his goal during first period NHL hockey action against the Toronto Maple Leafs, in Toronto, Thursday, March 31, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Playing in Winnipeg something Ehlers will ‘cherish forever’

Mike McIntyre 8 minute read Preview

Playing in Winnipeg something Ehlers will ‘cherish forever’

Mike McIntyre 8 minute read Saturday, Jul. 5, 2025

Nikolaj Ehlers insists it wasn’t personal.

The fan-favourite winger, who is moving on from the Winnipeg Jets after signing a six-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes, told the Free Press he’s leaving with a heavy heart — a sentiment he made clear in “emotional” conversations with members of the organization this past week.

“Like I told them, they didn’t do anything wrong,” Ehlers said Saturday morning during a Zoom call from Denmark.

“I was there for 10 years. I loved it there. I love the organization, the people in it it, the guys. They became family, right? The city of Winnipeg, the fans — everyone that’s played in Winnipeg knows how incredible it is to play there.”

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Saturday, Jul. 5, 2025

Ehlers bids emotional farewell

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Ehlers bids emotional farewell

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Friday, Jul. 4, 2025

It would appear the breakup between the Winnipeg Jets and Nikolaj Ehlers was an amicable one. Emotional, too.

“Nik phoned me (Thursday), almost in tears,” coach Scott Arniel said on Friday.

“He just felt the biggest thing for him was he needed a change of scenery. It wasn’t based on the city or the hockey team. He felt like he had been here a long time and this was his one chance to make a change.”

That change has come in the form of a six-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes which will pay Ehlers US $8.5 million per season. It marks the end of a relationship with the Jets that dates back to 2014 when he was selected in the first round, ninth-overall, by the organization.

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Friday, Jul. 4, 2025

KARL DEBLAKER / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES
Nikolaj Ehlers provided plenty of thrills for Jets fans over the years.

Winnipegger to meet his heroes after being drafted by Penguins

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Winnipegger to meet his heroes after being drafted by Penguins

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Saturday, Jun. 28, 2025

Peyton Kettles remembers the Evgeni Malkin jersey he rocked as a youngster.

So you can imagine his delight when the Winnipegger pulled on a Pittsburgh Penguins jersey on Saturday after being chosen in the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft with the 39th overall pick.

“It was definitely a huge relief and I’m definitely happy to hear my name called by the Penguins. To have their history, with me growing up around that time, is really cool and really special,” Kettles said in a telephone interview from Los Angeles, where he attended the event at Peacock Theater with his parents and his brother. “I owned a Malkin jersey and all of the stuff like that. It’s a full circle moment for me.”

Kettles, listed at 6-5 and 194 pounds, is a hard-hitting defenceman who had five goals and 14 points in 53 games in the Western Hockey League with the Swift Current Broncos.

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Saturday, Jun. 28, 2025

DAMIAN DOVARGANES / ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES
Carter Bear, left, stands with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being drafted by Detroit Red Wings during the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 27, 2025, in Los Angeles.

Manitoba First Nation jubilant after Carter Bear chosen 13th overall in NHL Draft

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Manitoba First Nation jubilant after Carter Bear chosen 13th overall in NHL Draft

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Friday, Jun. 27, 2025

Carter Bear couldn’t hear or see the eruption of cheers and happy tears from family and friends back in Manitoba on Friday night — including a large gathering in his home community of Peguis First Nation.

However, the 18-year-old could feel the love and support after he was selected 13th-overall by the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL draft in Los Angeles.

“That shows how proud they are. I’m proud of where I’m from — my community and my Indigenous background,” he told the Free Press via Zoom shortly after having his name called.

It takes a village, as the saying goes, and Bear was feeling especially thankful to everyone in his world who helped him get to this stage. He’s the first Manitoba hockey player to be drafted in the opening round since Strathclair’s Conor Geekie went 11th-overall to the Arizona Coyotes in 2022.

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Friday, Jun. 27, 2025

Damian Dovarganes / The Associated Press
Carter Bear (left) stands with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman Friday at the NHL Draft in Los Angeles. ‘I’m proud of where I’m from — my community and my Indigenous background,’ Bear said after being drafted.

‘Looking forward to that next chapter’

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

‘Looking forward to that next chapter’

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Thursday, Jun. 26, 2025

Kristen Campbell had a feeling it was coming, though she didn’t necessarily know where she would be on the move to next.

The Brandon product and the Toronto Scepters had already come to a mutual understanding that it was time for a change for both parties, so it was about making a trade that would benefit both sides.

That trade came on Tuesday night, when Campbell was dealt to PWHL Vancouver along with the 19th overall pick in the 2025 draft for the 16th and 23rd picks.

“I definitely had an idea that it was going to come into fruition and to be heading to Vancouver for this new opportunity and new environment is exciting,” Campbell said in a telephone interview from Toronto.

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Thursday, Jun. 26, 2025

CHRIS YOUNG / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Decorated goaltender Kristen Campbell, who hails from Brandon, was dealt to PWHL Vancouver from the Toronto Sceptres on Tuesday.

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Jets signing hometown star Toews

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

Jets signing hometown star Toews

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Friday, Jun. 20, 2025

The homecoming is happening for Jonathan Toews.

The St. Vital product has decided to make his NHL comeback with the Winnipeg Jets, agreeing to terms on a one-year contract as he returns to the league after a two-year absence related to his health.

The contract, which will officially be filed on July 1, reportedly has a base salary of US$2 million with up to US$5 million in bonuses.

“I’m grateful to be making my return to the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets,” Toews said in a press release. “It’s very special to come home and play in front of my family and friends in Manitoba. The Jets have been on the rise over the last few seasons and I’m eager to join the group and help however I can.”

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Friday, Jun. 20, 2025

Jonathan Toews (Jeffrey T. Barnes / The Associated Press files)

Hellebuyck up for Hart Trophy

Ken Wiebe 2 minute read Preview

Hellebuyck up for Hart Trophy

Ken Wiebe 2 minute read Thursday, May. 1, 2025

Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck has been named a finalist for the Hart Trophy for the first time of his career.

As the NHL revealed the three players up for the award that is given to the player who is the most valuable player to their team, Hellebuyck was joined by centre Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers and winger Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Hellebuyck led the National Hockey League in most statistical categories this season, including wins (47), shutouts (eight) and goals-against average (2.00), and was second in save percentage by .01 to Anthony Stolarz of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who played 19 fewer games.

Hellebuyck is only the third goalie to be named a Hart finalist in the past 10 seasons, after Sergei Bobrovsky of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2016-17 and Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers in 2021-22.

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Thursday, May. 1, 2025

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save on a St. Louis Blues shot on April 21. (Fred Greenslade / The Canadian Press files)

1 minute read Preview

1 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2025

Nathan Denette / THE CANADIAN PRESS

One for the road

Ottawa’s Dylan Cozens scores a short handed goal against the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The Senators fought off elimination on the road, trouncing the Leafs 4-0. Ottawa now takes an improved 3-2 series deficit back to home ice for a Thursday-night showdown at Canada Tire Centre.

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Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2025

Schenn brothers clash as Jets look to end Blues hot streak

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Schenn brothers clash as Jets look to end Blues hot streak

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Monday, Apr. 7, 2025

Motivation can come in many shapes and sizes. For the St. Louis Blues, it’s apparently in the form of a tiny, wild-haired, cigarette-smoking voodoo doll.

Meet Jobu, the unofficial team MVP who began popping up in their locker room immediately after the 4 Nations Face-Off break. Is it a coincidence that the Blues have gone on a 18-2-2 tear since, including a 12-game winning streak heading into action Monday night against the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre?

“He’s a good guy,” is all St. Louis captain Brayden Schenn would reveal to the Free Press when asked about Jobu, who even accompanies them on the road and had his own locker room stall and nameplate set up Monday.

Schenn was then quizzed whether Jobu is the 2025 equivalent to Gloria, the song by Laura Branigan that became their victory anthem as they went on an incredible mid-season surge all the way to winning the Stanley Cup in 2019.

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Monday, Apr. 7, 2025

Jeff Le / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers (left) scores a goal against St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer the last time the two Central Division teams clashed in February.

Golden Knights reward Kolesar with three-year extension

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Golden Knights reward Kolesar with three-year extension

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 2, 2025

LAS VEGAS — Keegan Kolesar made sure loyalty is a two-way street.

The proud Manitoban, who was born in Brandon but also has ties to Winnipeg, is in the midst of a career season with the Vegas Golden Knights and is thrilled to remain with the organization for the foreseeable future after inking a three-year extension worth US$7.5 million in December.

“I’m not one of those guys that you would say you put in the forefront of locking up right away, compared to some of the guys that we had,” Kolesar told the Free Press on Wednesday afternoon. “So, it meant the world to me that they wanted to do that and see me being part of the future. It was an easy process.”

In terms of that process, Kolesar told agent Craig Oster he didn’t want to get frequent reports, just to let him know when things were down to the final stages of the negotiation.

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Wednesday, Apr. 2, 2025

MELISSA MAJCHRZAK / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES
Brandon-product Keegan Kolesar is in the midst of a career season with the Vegas Golden Knights.

All eyes on Ovechkin

Mike McIntyre 8 minute read Preview

All eyes on Ovechkin

Mike McIntyre 8 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 25, 2025

The Alex Ovechkin show rolled into town Tuesday with the pursuit of hockey history taking centre stage at Canada Life Centre.

“It’s kind of a rock star tour right now,” is how Washington Capitals teammate Tom Wilson described it a few hours prior to puck drop against the Winnipeg Jets.

Like Jimi Hendrix on guitar, John Bonham on drums or Aretha Franklin on vocals, Ovechkin is making a compelling case of being the best ever when it comes to his instrument of choice — specifically, a CCM Ribcor Trigger ASY Stick.

With 888 career goals, the “Great Eight” is in pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s record and is seven behind for the most in NHL history. A spotlight that has been on him since he was selected first-overall in the 2004 draft is now brighter than ever.

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Tuesday, Mar. 25, 2025

Nick Wass / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES
Heading into Tuesday’s action, Alex Ovechkin needed six goals to tie Wayne Gretzky’s NHL all-time scoring record, and seven goals to surpass it.

‘This is one of the best places to play’

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

‘This is one of the best places to play’

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025

First place in the NHL standings. Dead last in desirability.

Such is the perplexing state of the Winnipeg Jets these days, the team finds itself the butt of plenty of jokes after a recent anonymous player poll dumped all over the league’s smallest market. The Athletic surveyed 111 skaters and a whopping 48.7 per cent said our little neck of the woods would be No. 1 on their no-trade list.

Buffalo was a very distant second at 19.51 per cent. San Jose was third (8.54 per cent) while Calgary and Ottawa (both at 3.66 per cent) rounded out the top five.

All of which raises an obvious question: If this is such a godforsaken place to play, why do so many opt to stay here long-term? Are they brainwashed? Suffering from Stockholm Syndrome?

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Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025

DAVID ZALUBOWSKI / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES
Nino Niederreiter could have tested the waters of free agency but chose to sign a contract extension and stay in Winnipeg.

Canada-U.S. showdown can’t-miss viewing for Jets

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Canada-U.S. showdown can’t-miss viewing for Jets

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025

It’s not a stretch to suggest the 4 Nations Face-Off has been a smashing success, not only creating a palpable buzz within the hockey community but throughout the sports — and, at times, political — world as well.

The inaugural best-on-best event, which reaches its summit Thursday night with an epic championship battle between Canada and the United States, was the talk of the Winnipeg Jets dressing room Wednesday as the team returned from its extended break.

“I think overall the tournament’s kind of blown my expectations out of the water,” said Jets captain Adam Lowry. “There’s been some real remarkable hockey. You just see how pure, how fast, the game is. Still, at the same time, physical.”

Lowry is no stranger to dropping his gloves on occasion, so it’s no surprise to find he was a big fan of the first nine seconds of last Saturday’s round-robin game between Canada and the U.S. which featured three fights.

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Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025

Graham Hughes / THE CANADIAN PRESS
The Jets’ Josh Morrissey has been a standout on Canada’s blue line at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

First practice offers glimpse into how Jets, Winnipeggers will fit into 4 Nations’ lineups

Mike McIntyre 2 minute read Preview

First practice offers glimpse into how Jets, Winnipeggers will fit into 4 Nations’ lineups

Mike McIntyre 2 minute read Monday, Feb. 10, 2025

There really are no wrong answers, given the elite collection of talent assembled in Montreal for the start of the 4 Nations Face-Off this week.

But Monday provided the first glimpse of how coaches plan to use four skaters with strong ties to Manitoba.

Winnipeg Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey was paired with St. Louis Blues rear-guard Colton Parayko at the first Team Canada practice. Morrissey was also being used on the second power play unit along with defenceman Shea Theodore (Vegas Golden Knights) and forwards Mark Stone (Vegas), Mitch Marner (Toronto) and Brayden Point (Tampa).

Speaking of Stone, the Winnipegger found himself in the plum position on the top five-on-five forward line with Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh) and Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado).

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Monday, Feb. 10, 2025

September 20, 2025

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