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NHL

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck says he privately requested a trade several months ago.

‘Moving on is the best path forward’

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026

Connor Hellebuyck has broken his silence in an effort to expedite his departure from the Winnipeg Jets.

In a statement released by agent Ray Petkau on Thursday afternoon, Hellebuyck confirmed he has asked to be moved by the team that chose him in the fifth round of the 2012 NHL draft.

“I have never forgotten June 23, 2012. That’s the day the Winnipeg Jets took a chance on a goalie playing in Odessa, Texas. I gave everything I had from that moment to prove the Jets made the right decision,” Hellebuyck said in the statement.

“Several months ago, I privately requested a trade. I have tried to handle the situation quietly and respectfully, while giving the organization time to explore its options. With training camp approaching, I felt it was important to publicly confirm my request. My position has not changed and I believe moving on is the best path forward for me and my family.”

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NHL

CASSIDY DANKOCHIK / THE CARILLON Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff took questions Friday at the Hockey For All Centre during Jets development camp.

Jets GM Cheveldayoff happy with off-season additions

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Jets GM Cheveldayoff happy with off-season additions

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Friday, Jul. 3, 2026

The work is far from over, and the biggest question facing his franchise has yet to be answered.

But Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff believes his hockey club took significant steps in the right direction during a busy week that helped reshape the roster.

It began with the selection of Swedish centre Viggo Bjorck eighth overall in last Friday’s NHL draft, then continued when the Jets landed goaltender Stuart Skinner and defenceman Mario Ferraro as free agency opened on Canada Day.

“We set out to fill a few of the boxes that we needed,” Cheveldayoff said Friday as he spoke with media following the conclusion of Winnipeg’s week-long development camp at Hockey For All Centre.

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Friday, Jul. 3, 2026

NHL

Cassidy Dankochik / THE CARILLON FILES An invitation to the Winnipeg Jets development camp reinforces Adam Vigfusson’s (15) belief that there is more than one path to developing as a player.

Vigfusson vying to impress at Jets development camp

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Vigfusson vying to impress at Jets development camp

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Tuesday, Jun. 30, 2026

You’ll forgive Adam Vigfusson for having a bit of a “kid in a candy store” mentality these days.

The 20-year-old Gimli product is truly living his best life, fresh off winning a Manitoba Junior Hockey League title, a Centennial Cup championship, Most Valuable Player honours at the national tournament and earning a scholarship to St. Cloud State University that begins this fall.

This week, you’ll find him at Hockey For All Centre, skating alongside the likes of Viggo Bjorck, Brayden Yager, Colby Barlow and the other top prospects in the Winnipeg Jets organization. Vigfusson could hardly believe it when the Jets recently extended an invitation to their annual rookie development camp.

“I got the call asking if I wanted to come and it was like, ‘Oh my goodness, that’s something I never thought would happen.’ Just super excited to be here,” Vigfusson told the Free Press following Tuesday’s skate.

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Tuesday, Jun. 30, 2026

NHL

Nick Wass / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES It would be something for the Winnipeg Jets to pick up Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine.

Long to-do list for Jets

Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

Long to-do list for Jets

Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Monday, Jun. 29, 2026

They have holes to fill, money to spend and questions to answer.

But the biggest one heading into July 1 hangs over the Winnipeg Jets like the dark clouds that have become a fixture around here lately: Is Connor Hellebuyck staying or going?

Clarity on that potentially stormy situation will shape much of general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff’s summer to-do list.

Hellebuyck made it clear during his year-end media availability that he needs to see significant roster improvements around him, seemingly putting enormous pressure on Cheveldayoff to begin delivering when free agency opens Wednesday.

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Monday, Jun. 29, 2026

NHL

Matthew Merkel / FREE PRESS Nervous moments gave way to joy for Carson Carels, on the family farm near Cypress River, when the Calgary Flames called his name and the champagne started flowing.

Pride of Cypress River drafted sixth overall by Calgary Flames

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Pride of Cypress River drafted sixth overall by Calgary Flames

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Friday, Jun. 26, 2026

CYPRESS RIVER — It began like any other day for Carson Carels: Up at the crack of dawn, feeding his baby goats, driving a herd of hungry cattle and then heading to the rink for a quick workout.

But by the time Friday was over, it was one he would never forget.

Carels was drafted sixth-overall by the Calgary Flames, sharing the experience with more than 100 family members and close friends in an outdoor viewing party held on the family farm here in southwestern Manitoba.

“Just awesome. I’m still shaking right now,” the 18-year-old defenceman told the Free Press moments after hearing his name announced during the television broadcast by Flames legend Lanny McDonald.

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Friday, Jun. 26, 2026

NHL

RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff confirmed Friday morning that the club is open to trading its star netminder Connor Hellebuyck.

Cheveldayoff open to Hellebuyck trade

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Cheveldayoff open to Hellebuyck trade

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Friday, Jun. 26, 2026

Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has confirmed the organization is open to trading superstar goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and currently listening to offers.

There’s just one problem.

“Obviously what I’ve been hearing hasn’t made me act,” Cheveldayoff said Friday morning in a Zoom call with media. “I guess the best answer is: I’m still listening.”

How, exactly, did we get here? Cheveldayoff, who normally holds his cards tight to the vest, was slightly more revealing than usual — perhaps in an attempt to juice the offers rival GMs might ultimately present to him.

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Friday, Jun. 26, 2026

NHL

Matt Krohn / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES The Florida Panthers, Buffalo Sabres and Carolina Hurricanes are all teams thought to be interested in trading for Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

NHL draft swap watch continues

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

NHL draft swap watch continues

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Thursday, Jun. 25, 2026

Go ahead and call it the calm before the storm.

As the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft is set to arrive on Friday night, the Winnipeg Jets have the potential to be the talk of the town, given the trade rumours surrounding goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

But keep in mind, this is the time of year when misdirection is commonplace.

Hellebuyck may or may not be on the move this weekend, and it’s important to remember that the three-time Vezina Trophy winner is under contact for the next five seasons at a reasonable average annual value of US$8.5 million.

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Thursday, Jun. 25, 2026

NHL

Trevor Hagan / The Canadian Press files Former Winnipeg Jets forward Tobias Enstrom (centre) has joined the roster with former captain Blake Wheeler (left) and defenceman Dustin Byfuglien (right) for the NHL Alumni Game in October at Canada Life Centre.

Jets rounding out alumni game roster

Mike McIntyre 3 minute read Preview

Jets rounding out alumni game roster

Mike McIntyre 3 minute read Wednesday, Jun. 24, 2026

The band is getting back together. And judging by the latest additions to the Winnipeg Jets Alumni Game roster, it’s shaping up to be a greatest-hits reunion.

Former 2.0 stars including Dustin Byfuglien, Blake Wheeler, Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little, Mathieu Perreault, Paul Stastny and Chris Thorburn were previously announced in January.

Wednesday brought another blast from the past with 15 new (old) recruits: forwards Nik Antropov, Eric Fehr, Jim Slater, Cody Eakin, Sam Gagner, Tanner Glass, Tim Stapleton, Drew Stafford and Anthony Peluso; defencemen Toby Enstrom, Mark Stuart, Ron Hainsey, Derek Meech and Grant Clitsome; and goaltender Michael Hutchinson.

Back behind the bench will be original head coach Claude Noel — and fingers crossed he brings one of his famous sweater vests along with him.

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Wednesday, Jun. 24, 2026

NHL

GRAHAM HUGHES / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Forward Patrik Laine hasn’t suited up for the Montreal Canadiens since Oct. 16 when he suffered a core muscle injury that required surgery.

Former Jets forward could be good gamble for club

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Former Jets forward could be good gamble for club

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Thursday, May. 14, 2026

Who’s ready for another hockey homecoming?

One year ago, all the focus around here was on whether the Winnipeg Jets could land St. Vital product Jonathan Toews as he returned to the sport following a two-year, health-related hiatus. History shows the man known as Captain Serious did indeed sign on the dotted line.

Now, another prominent player with major ties to this city and organization could soon be searching for a new place to lace up his skates once free agency opens on July 1. And it would make plenty of sense — both on and off the ice — to get a deal done.

We’re talking about Patrik Laine.

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Thursday, May. 14, 2026

NHL

Nam Y. Huh / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews has been named a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, the annual award presented to an NHL player ‘who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.’

Jets’ Toews named Masterton finalist

Mike McIntyre 4 minute read Preview

Jets’ Toews named Masterton finalist

Mike McIntyre 4 minute read Monday, May. 4, 2026

Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews has been named a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

The award is presented annually to the NHL player “who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey” and is voted on by approximately 300 members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

Toews certainly fits the bill. The 38-year-old Winnipegger returned to the sport this past season following a two-year health-related hiatus caused by long COVID and Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome.

The three-time Stanley Cup winner and long-time captain of the Chicago Blackhawks signed with his hometown Jets and played all 82 games, recording 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists) in the process. He was one of the league leaders in faceoff percentage (62.1 per cent) and served as a mentor to many of Winnipeg’s young players.

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Monday, May. 4, 2026

NHL

FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES The Winnipeg Jets 4-0-2 streak since the Olympic break has pulled the club within five points of the final wild-card berth. Defenceman Dylan DeMelo (right) says the break helped the group recharge.

Jets pull within five points of final Western Conference playoff spot

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Jets pull within five points of final Western Conference playoff spot

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Monday, Mar. 9, 2026

Don’t look now, but that double-digit deficit has been cut by more than half.

By rattling off at least a point in each of the six games coming out of the Olympic break — and by going 11-4-5 during the past 20 games — the Winnipeg Jets have pulled within five points of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

It’s still a tall task, but it looks a whole lot more manageable with 20 games left in the regular season, including Tuesday’s tilt with the Anaheim Ducks.

“You’ve got to keep winning games,” said Jets centre Jonathan Toews. “It just goes to show that anything can happen. It’s a horse race. You never know who is going to come from the back and put on a real charge in the last stretch here.

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Monday, Mar. 9, 2026

Olympics

CAROLYN KASTER / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Team USA forward Brock Nelson scored two goals Thursday against Latvia in his Olympic debut. Nelson’s family has a storied past of men’s hockey Olympic glory. The forward almost followed in the footsteps of his 1.0 Winnipeg Jet uncle Dave Christian, but opted to sign with the Colorado Avalanche last NHL season.

Nelson following in family’s decorated Team USA footsteps

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Nelson following in family’s decorated Team USA footsteps

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

MILAN — Hindsight, of course, is 20/20. But when it comes to professional sports, it’s always fun to play the what-if game.

For example, what if the Winnipeg Jets had opted to select hometown product Seth Jarvis — who made his Winter Olympics debut Friday night against Switzerland — with the 10th overall pick in 2020?

Winnipeg instead took Cole Perfetti at that spot, and Jarvis had to wait two more turns before the Carolina Hurricanes called his name. Perfetti has shown plenty of promise, but he’s not at the level of Jarvis, who brings both a big game and a huge personality to the table.

Well, here’s another what-if scenario that dawned Thursday night while watching Connor Hellebuyck, Kyle Connor and Team USA skate to a 5-1 victory over Latvia.

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Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

Olympics

Carolyn Kaster / The Associated Press Winnipeg Jets’ goalie Connor Hellebuyck, right, has laid claim on the No. 1 job with the United States Olympic team following a pair of solid starts, the most recent coming Sunday night in a 5-1 victory over Germany.

Winnipeg Jets’ U.S. teammates having drastically different Oly experiences

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Winnipeg Jets’ U.S. teammates having drastically different Oly experiences

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

MILAN - In Connor Hellebuyck they trust. Kyle Connor? Not so much.

It’s safe to say these Winter Olympics have taken drastically different turns for a pair of Winnipeg Jets.

Hellebuyck, the reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner, has stamped his claim on the No. 1 job with the United States team following a pair of solid starts, the most recent coming Sunday night in a 5-1 victory over Germany that secured top spot in the Americans’ group.

“I just think he was tracking pucks extremely well. He was composed,” said American coach Mike Sullivan.

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Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

Olympics

MIKE MCINTYRE / FREE PRESS From left, Bryan Hanna, Noah Wagner, Lucas Humble, Sloan Tremblay, Lucas Fry and Seth Jarvis, with Matt McLeod in front. The friends travelled to Italy to see Jarvis compete in the Olympics.

‘You’re cheering for your best friend’: Winnipeggers travel to see Seth Jarvis chase Olympic hockey gold

Mike McIntyre 9 minute read Preview

‘You’re cheering for your best friend’: Winnipeggers travel to see Seth Jarvis chase Olympic hockey gold

Mike McIntyre 9 minute read Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

MILAN — Six best buddies. A hockey road trip of a lifetime. And a front-row seat to watch one of their own live out a dream that once belonged to all of them.

These Winnipeg boys have come a long way — figuratively and literally — from the days of epic mini-sticks battles in childhood basements.

Now, the stage is the biggest in sport: an Olympic hockey rink in Milan, where Seth Jarvis is chasing gold and Lucas Humble, Lucas Fry, Sloan Tremblay, Bryan Hanna, Matt McLeod and Noah Wagner have travelled more than 7,000 kilometres to cheer him on.

“It’s hard not to get emotional about,” Hanna said on Monday as the group, including Jarvis, met with the Free Press outside the stunning Duomo di Milano.

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Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

Olympics

Mike Segar / REUTERS Winnipeg Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey (centre) is likely to return Wednesday in Team Canada’s quarterfinal clash against the Czechs. From left: Winnipeg’s Seth Jarvis, Calgary’s Morrissey and Brandon Hagel of Saskatoon, Sask., look on at Canada’s first Olympic practice Feb. 8.

Morrissey, Marchand poised to return from injury for Team Canada

Mike McIntyre 8 minute read Preview

Morrissey, Marchand poised to return from injury for Team Canada

Mike McIntyre 8 minute read Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

MILAN — Josh Morrissey is raring to go. Which is perfectly understandable given the way recent international hockey events have played out for the Winnipeg Jets defenceman.

There was the severe stomach virus that sidelined him last February for the gold medal final of the 4 Nations Face-Off. And now, a lower-body injury suffered in his Winter Olympics debut last week which has kept him out of Canada’s last two games.

If it weren’t for bad luck, he’d have no luck at all.

But hope springs eternal, and there was Morrissey flying around the ice on Tuesday afternoon as he practiced with his No. 1 ranked teammates ahead of Wednesday’s win-or-go-home quarterfinal game against No. 8 Czechia — which downed Denmark 3-2 in a qualifying round elimination game.

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Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

Olympics

Carolyn Kaster / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Canada’s Mitch Marner and Macklin Celebrini celebrate after Marner scored the game-winning goal against Czechia, Wednesday.

Canada punches ticket to semifinals in thriller over Czechia

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Canada punches ticket to semifinals in thriller over Czechia

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

MILAN — A hockey-crazed nation exhales.

The star-studded Canadian men’s team stood on the brink of a stunning Olympic quarterfinal exit Wednesday — only to engineer a dramatic, Games-saving rally that guarantees a shot at a medal.

Put down the pitchforks. Call off the national summit. Take a deep breath.

“Massive relief. Extreme excitement,” said forward Brad Marchand, who may as well have been speaking for more than 41 million citizens back home.

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Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

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