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Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dylan Samberg (54) can become an unrestricted free agent at the age of 29. (Erin Hooley / The Associated Press files)

Jets, Samberg agree to terms on three-year deal

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 30, 2025

On the surface, this looks like the epitome of a compromise.

By avoiding Wednesday’s arbitration hearing in Toronto and the shrapnel it may have included, the Winnipeg Jets and Dylan Samberg found a happy medium, agreeing to terms on a three-year deal that carries an average annual value of US$5.75 million.

With the Jets avoiding a one-year award for Samberg that could have walked him to unrestricted free agency next summer, this should be characterized as an important development.

Since the two sides agreed to a term of less than six-to-eight years, many observers will stop short of saying it’s an undisputed victory for Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and company and there are plenty of valid reasons for that particular viewpoint.

Manitoba Open

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

Bombers confident backup QB has what it takes at the helm

Jeff Hamilton 6 minute read Preview

Bombers confident backup QB has what it takes at the helm

Jeff Hamilton 6 minute read Yesterday at 6:30 PM CDT

OTTAWA — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are facing a seemingly must-win situation and, for the second consecutive week, the task of righting the ship falls to quarterback Chris Streveler.

With starter Zach Collaros ruled out for a second straight game due to a head injury, Streveler is once again at the helm as the Bombers look to snap a three-game losing streak and regain their footing in the tight West Division playoff race.

The Bombers, currently sitting at 6-7, are in a precarious position. The team that has been a model of consistency and winning for the past few years is suddenly staring at the possibility of missing the playoffs entirely.

The feeling in the locker room is palpable: Saturday’s game at TD Place is one they need to have, especially facing an Ottawa Redblacks club that is 4-9 and last place in the East Division.

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Yesterday at 6:30 PM CDT

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS

As Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros (centre) recovers from a head injury, the Blue and Gold have entrusted backup Chris Streveler (right) as starter. Questions have been asked when third-stringer Terry Wilson (left) will get a crack at pivot.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS As Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros (centre) recovers from a head injury, the Blue and Gold have entrusted backup Chris Streveler (right) as starter. Questions have been asked when third-stringer Terry Wilson (left) will get a crack at pivot.

Stonewall native adds NHL to her long list of officiating milestones

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

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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Yesterday at 6:12 PM CDT

ICE WAVE MEDIA PHOTO

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

‘It would be awesome to experience it again’

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

‘It would be awesome to experience it again’

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Yesterday at 5:49 PM CDT

The mere mention of the unadulterated elation immediately brings a smile to the face of Tanner Pearson.

Sitting in his new stall inside Hockey For All Centre, the veteran forward casually mentions his career highlight and it’s as though he was immediately transformed into the time machine, landing in the heart of 2014.

Pearson was a second-year pro and had one solitary Stanley Cup playoff game on his resumé — and it came before making his regular-season debut with the Los Angeles Kings.

That would come on Nov. 14 of 2013, when he scored against Kevin Poulin of the New York Islanders.

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Yesterday at 5:49 PM CDT

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

Tanner Pearson (70), the latest versatile forward to join the Winnipeg Jets, feels like joining the club is his best chance at capturing a career second Stanley Cup.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Tanner Pearson (70), the latest versatile forward to join the Winnipeg Jets, feels like joining the club is his best chance at capturing a career second Stanley Cup.

Encore for Perfetti includes linemate Toews

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Encore for Perfetti includes linemate Toews

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Yesterday at 5:33 PM CDT

As he returned to his hometown in Ontario this summer, Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti was surprised by how many people wanted to talk to him about the “Manitoba Miracle.”

“They’re all Leafs fans and for them to be asking about that and recognizing that I scored that goal, it was really cool to have that,” Perfetti told the Free Press on Friday, referring to his incredible buzzer-beater last April against the St. Louis Blues that staved off playoff elimination and made headlines across the sports world.

“I guess I didn’t right away recognize how big of a goal it was in terms. You go to the grocery store, you go here or wherever it is and people always… the first thing they say is what a goal. They always say they’ll never forget that for the rest of their lives.”

Perfetti’s name is now etched in local hockey history for a dramatic moment his head coach, Scott Arniel, ranks alongside Paul Henderson’s 1972 classic against the Soviet Union, Bobby Orr’s airborne beauty and Sidney Crosby’s golden-goal overtime winner at the 2010 Olympics.

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Yesterday at 5:33 PM CDT

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

‘Manitoba Miracle’ sniper and Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti has been paired with Jonathan Toews and Gustav Nyquist at training camp.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS ‘Manitoba Miracle’ sniper and Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti has been paired with Jonathan Toews and Gustav Nyquist at training camp.

Battle of the understudies in the nation’s capital

Jeff Hamilton 7 minute read Preview

Battle of the understudies in the nation’s capital

Jeff Hamilton 7 minute read Yesterday at 5:05 PM CDT

OTTAWA — With only a handful of games remaining in the regular season, both the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Ottawa Redblacks are feeling the pressure.

The Bombers are clinging to the third and final playoff spot in the West Division. At 6-7, they’re tied with the B.C. Lions — but own the season-series tiebreaker — and are just two points up on the Edmonton Elks for that final playoff berth.

If that sounds challenging, things are even worse in the nation’s capital.

The Redblacks are in full-on desperation mode, stuck in last place in the East Division with a 4-9 record. If Ottawa has any chance at a playoff spot, it’ll have to go on a serious run and hope some other teams trip up.

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Yesterday at 5:05 PM CDT

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES

Winnipeg Blue Bombers backup quarterback Chris Streveler (right) gets the start against the Ottawa Redblacks returning starting pivot — and former fellow Zach Collaros understudy — Dru Brown in the national’s capital Saturday.
John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers backup quarterback Chris Streveler (right) gets the start against the Ottawa Redblacks returning starting pivot — and former fellow Zach Collaros understudy — Dru Brown in the national’s capital Saturday.

Sports Editor's Picks

Winnipeg Free Press:

Special Coverage: CFL Grey Cup 112

Special Coverage: CFL Grey Cup 112

Mike McIntyre:

Lowry a leader in every sense of word

Winnipeg Jets’ Adam Lowry (17) celebrates as Kyle Connorís (not shown) shot sneaks through the pads of Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) for the winning goal in NHL overtime action in Winnipeg, Thursday, December 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Taylor Allen:

Sky’s the limit for ‘Double Gold’ MacDonald

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS sports - jiu jitsu fighter, Logan MacDonald What: Brazilian jiu jitsu fighter who recently won gold at an event in California. Family owns a BJJ gym in town. Photos of Logan with his dad, MATT MACDONALD, in their home gym. See Taylor's story Dec 13th, 2022

Mike Sawatzky:

Deadline deal pays off for Terriers

Scott Stroh photo Defenceman Hayden Lacquette has become a key cog in Portage’s attack.

Joshua Frey-Sam:

Bob Dyce never considered coaching as a career; now he’s a CFL boss

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Mike Sawatzky:

Brennan makes the most of opportunities

SUPPLIED Lucas Brennan is known for his willing to do the work required to improve and be successful on the ice.

More Sports

Brown’s injuries have taught pivot invaluable patience

Jeff Hamilton 8 minute read Preview

Brown’s injuries have taught pivot invaluable patience

Jeff Hamilton 8 minute read Thursday, Sep. 18, 2025

OTTAWA — When Dru Brown was a young and eager quarterback with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, he spent three seasons in the quiet shadow of a growing legend. His time as the understudy to Zach Collaros was a masterclass in patience, preparation and waiting for your moment.

Now, a season and a half into his career as the starting quarterback for the Ottawa Redblacks, Brown has learned the brutal price of that opportunity. The lessons he learned in Winnipeg — staying disciplined in your process, a relentless focus on the day-to-day, to name a couple — are being tested in ways he never envisioned when taking over the role in the nation’s capital.

“There has just been a lack of consistency, just kind of across the board, starting with me,” Brown, 28, said in an interview with the Free Press following Thursday’s practice. “It’s always hard when you feel like you’re trending and then you get something like an injury, which is something that’s been frustrating to deal with because I’ve never really gotten hurt until I came here.”

He added: “There were a lot of things along my career, up to this point, that still happened but I was prepared mentally for them, the challenges that it brings. But when you’ve never really been hurt and you’re missing bits and pieces of time, it’s very frustrating because it’s nothing really you can control.”

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Thursday, Sep. 18, 2025

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES

Redblacks quarterback Dru Brown (3) is looking forward to facing his former team Saturday when Ottawa clashes with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The pivot said Thursday that he learned invaluable experience playing backup to Bombers QB Zach Collaros.

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Redblacks quarterback Dru Brown (3) is looking forward to facing his former team Saturday when Ottawa clashes with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The pivot said Thursday that he learned invaluable experience playing backup to Bombers QB Zach Collaros.

Jets embracing lofty expectations

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

Jets embracing lofty expectations

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Thursday, Sep. 18, 2025

Expectations can often be a tricky subject to navigate, though that did not prevent Scott Arniel from going down that road during the first on-ice sessions of training camp.

With medicals and physicals in the rearview mirror, the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets leaned in on the pursuit of the ultimate goal in his first question and answer period with reporters on Thursday at Hockey For All Centre.

“Every one of us in this room, we’ve talked about it and we’re not afraid to talk about the Stanley Cup,” said Arniel, back for a fourth season and the second as the head coach after finishing second in Jack Adams Trophy voting behind Spencer Carbery. “There’s a ton of work that has to happen to get there. Our group realizes that when we play our style, when we attack the way we attack, when we defend the way we defend, our specialty teams are good and we get real good goaltending, that we’re as good as anybody in this league.”

Looking for more proof?

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Thursday, Sep. 18, 2025

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel enters his second season as bench boss after posting career franchise numbers in his first season at the helm with an NHL history best start record (15-1), franchise best wins (56), points (116) and capturing the Presidents’ and Jennings trophies.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Jets head coach Scott Arniel enters his second season as bench boss after posting career franchise numbers in his first season at the helm with an NHL history best start record (15-1), franchise best wins (56), points (116) and capturing the Presidents’ and Jennings trophies.

Playoffs? Bombers will battle to bitter end to make it

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Preview

Playoffs? Bombers will battle to bitter end to make it

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Thursday, Sep. 18, 2025

Here’s a sentence that hasn’t been written in a long time: the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are going to have to fight to the very end to make the playoffs.

The Blue and Gold dropped to 6-7 on the year after a discouraging 32-21 loss in Hamilton against the Tiger-Cats on Friday.

They’re still holding onto the third and final postseason berth out of the West as they won the season series over the B.C. Lions who are also 6-7, but make no mistake about it: it’s going to come down to the wire.

“As long as we can find our groove and get rolling these next couple games, we’ll let the standings fall how they fall,” said defensive end Willie Jefferson.

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Thursday, Sep. 18, 2025

PETER POWER / THE CANADIAN PRESS

Winnipeg Blue Bombers attempt an on-side kick late in the fourth quarter of CFL football game action against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Hamilton, Ont. on Friday.
PETER POWER / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers attempt an on-side kick late in the fourth quarter of CFL football game action against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Hamilton, Ont. on Friday.

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