Hockey – Winnipeg Free Press

MATT SLOCUM / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Jets defenceman Haydn Fleury returned to the lineup for the first time Sunday after suffering a freak injury on Jan. 6.

Jets defenceman thankful to return seven weeks after crashing into boards

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Yesterday at 5:11 PM CST

Haydn Fleury remembers the silence.

From his own mouth, unable to form any words after a devastating crash into the end boards. And from the crowd inside Canada Life Centre, stunned at what they had just witnessed.

Nearly two months after the freak accident that ended with him being stretchered off the ice, the Winnipeg Jets defenceman can finally talk about what happened — and the long, painstaking road back into the lineup.

“Happened fast. I was just going back for a puck, and just an unfortunate play, really,” Fleury said Monday, reflecting on the Jan. 6 collision with Vegas Golden Knights forward (and Winnipegger) Keegan Kolesar.

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Anaheim Ducks defenceman Olen Zellweger, left, and Winnipeg Jets left wing Alex Iafallo battle for the puck during the second period.

Ducks down Jets 5-4 in OT

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

Ducks down Jets 5-4 in OT

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026

ANAHEIM – This was both a point lost and a point gained for the Winnipeg Jets.

As a result, the margin for error just got slimmer.

Despite building a 3-1 advantage early in the third period, the Jets were unable to hold the lead as they fell 5-4 in overtime to the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night at Honda Center after Chris Kreider scored with 12.3 seconds to go in the three-on-three session.

“Fans certainly got their money’s worth,” said Jets head coach Scott Arniel. “Obviously, we had the two goal lead twice and gave that up. In the second there, we got a little bit into a trading chances scenario where we had some odd man rushes and didn’t execute, then they got odd man rushes the other way.

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Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026

Winnipeg Jets’ Kyle Connor (centre) celebrates his goal against the Vancouver Canucks with Dylan DeMelo (2), Logan Stanley (64), Mark Scheifele (55), and Gabriel Vilardi in the first period of the Jets 3-2 OT win in Vancouver, Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Reunited top line powers Jets past Canucks in 3-2 OT win

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Reunited top line powers Jets past Canucks in 3-2 OT win

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026

VANCOUVER – Knowing a run will be required to make things interesting, the Winnipeg Jets came out of the Olympic break mostly playing with authority.

Sure, there was some rust to shake off, but after overcoming a pair of one-goal deficits, forward Cole Perfetti scored at 1:37 of overtime to propel the Jets to a 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday at Rogers Arena.

“In that first period, he had some unreal looks and some great opportunities, so it’s nice to see him get rewarded at the end of the game with that winner,” said Jets head coach Scott Arniel. “There was some systems stuff that I’m real happy that we did. There were some mistakes where you can tell it was from guys not playing for a couple of weeks. You didn’t have to really tell them when they came back to the bench. They recognized it.

“We were trying to do some things to play faster and to put the opposition on their heels and I thought we did that. Our (offensive) zone time was huge. If you (have) that, you’ve got the opposition on their heels.”

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Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026

Goalie Connor Hellebuyck, in front, and members of the United States’ Olympic hockey team, attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday. (Kenny Holston / The Associated Press)

Hellebuyck faces tough save with Winnipeggers after fool’s gold-plated day with Trump

Dan Lett 5 minute read Preview

Hellebuyck faces tough save with Winnipeggers after fool’s gold-plated day with Trump

Dan Lett 5 minute read Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026

Connor Hellebuyck has given the people of Winnipeg all the reasons in the world to love him, both as an athlete and a human being.

The star goaltender for the Winnipeg Jets has been a stoic presence in Winnipeg, leading the Jets to the very precipice of glory while also establishing himself as arguably the best netminder in the league. At the same time, he’s been a constant presence in Jets charitable activities, including campaigns to promote mental health and female sports.

And in 2023, at the age of 30, Hellebuyck signed a seven-year extension with the Jets, which may well take him to the end of his National Hockey League career.

At a time when a lot of hockey players shun smaller markets and change teams as often as they change their socks, Hellebuyck is a true role model.

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Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026

MATT KROHN / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has struggled this past regular season, but the club’s captain Adam Lowry claims that has more to do with the play in front of the netminder.

Jets hope netminder Hellebuyck’s gold medal win quells critics

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Jets hope netminder Hellebuyck’s gold medal win quells critics

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

Adam Lowry has seen this film before — or a real-time version of it — on numerous occasions.

So, as goalie Connor Hellebuyck was being celebrated globally after his exceptional showing in the Olympic gold medal game, the captain of the Winnipeg Jets wasn’t the least bit surprised to see his longtime teammate shine in the biggest moment of his hockey career.

“We’ve been saying this for a few years now: we think he’s the best goalie in the world,” said Lowry. “Sometimes, he gets unfairly criticized for our team’s performance in the playoffs and I think he went out and showed that he can show up in big games and he can win you big games and that’s what we’ve grown accustomed to.

“We’ve been so fortunate to see his entire career here; sometimes I think we take it for granted how great he is, how easy he makes the game look.

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Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

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

JULIEN DE ROSA / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Players scuffle during a preliminary round match of men’s hockey between the United States and Denmark at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy on Saturday.

Americans dominate Denmark despite shaky goaltending

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Americans dominate Denmark despite shaky goaltending

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

MILAN — Connor Hellebuyck’s stock soared despite spending all of Saturday night on the sidelines. Kyle Connor’s plummeted to the point where he may be skating himself out of the lineup.

And former Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers was simply happy to see some old friends — sort of— while living out a lifelong dream by leading Denmark into battle at the Winter Olympics.

“I just wish Bucky was playing,” a smiling Ehlers told the Free Press following his country’s 6-3 loss to the United States.

“It’s always fun to play against former teammates and current teammates. There’s no friends out there but you obviously want them to do well at these kind of tournaments. Not against your team, obviously. But it’s always good to see them.”

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Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

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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

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 8 minute read Preview

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

Mike McIntyre 8 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

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

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

Darryl Dyck / THE CANADIAN PRESS
Despite not knowing if Sidney Crosby or Josh Morrissey will return for the semifinal clash against Finland on Friday, Canada still boasts elite weapons like Connor McDavid (left) whose 11 points have tied the record for an NHLer at a single Olympics.

Finland stands in the way of a Canadian gold medal tilt

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Finland stands in the way of a Canadian gold medal tilt

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

MILAN — Are we having fun yet?

Having survived a serious quarterfinal scare against Czechia, the Canadian men’s team now turns its attention to a feisty Finnish squad on Friday (9:40 a.m. CT puck drop), with a berth in the Olympic gold-medal game on the line.

Once again, a hockey-crazed nation is holding its collective breath. Hey, nobody said this was going to be easy, right?

The status of two key players — captain Sidney Crosby and Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey — remains uncertain. Getting one, or both, back in the lineup would certainly help the cause.

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Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

HASSAN AMMAR / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Elkhorn’s Travis Sanheim (right) teed up Shea Theodore’s game-tying goal Friday against Finland.

Marvellous Manitobans clutch for Team Canada

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Marvellous Manitobans clutch for Team Canada

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

MILAN — Two straight elimination games. Two dramatic third-period tying goals. Two Manitobans playing pivotal roles with key assists.

Coincidence? We think not.

On Wednesday night against Czechia, it was Winnipegger Seth Jarvis who got in hard on the forecheck and helped set up Nick Suzuki for his massive goal with 3:27 left in regulation — a tally that forced overtime, where Mitch Marner scored the winner.

On Friday afternoon against Finland, it was Elkhorn’s Travis Sanheim threading a slick pass to blue-line partner Shea Theodore, whose blast from the point with 9:26 remaining set the stage for Nathan MacKinnon’s dramatic dagger in the final minute.

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Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey has been ruled out for Sunday’s gold medal clash between Canada and the United States.

Morrissey ruled out for gold medal game

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Morrissey ruled out for gold medal game

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

MILAN — Josh Morrissey’s Winter Olympics are over.

The Winnipeg Jets defenceman has been ruled out for Sunday’s gold medal clash between Canada and the United States due to a mysterious upper-body injury he suffered early in his team’s first game.

“Listen, we want Josh in this game and helps us. Puck mover, everything he does,” coach Jon Cooper said following Saturday’s practice in Milan, which was closed to the media ahead of the pivotal showdown.

“In the end if you’re not physically able to do it — and the one selfless thing about this team and the way I’ve watched these players … when it comes to the flag, nobody’s getting in the way. If they’re not capable of giving what they think is optimal effort, they don’t want to put the country at harm. They understand what we have here.

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Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

MATT SLOCUM / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES
Canada’s Jonathan Toews (16) reacts after scoring a goal in the first period of the men’s gold medal ice hockey game against USA at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

‘This is the big one,’ says Toews

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

‘This is the big one,’ says Toews

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

Jonathan Toews said what most hockey observers – at least those in North America – have both been thinking and saying out loud at various points during the past several weeks.

“It’s the final that I wanted, and people in North America wanted,” said Toews, the Winnipeg Jets centre who has some first-hand knowledge of what is on the horizon on Sunday morning when Canada takes on the United States in the gold medal game of the Olympic men’s hockey tournament. “It’s great for our game. The game of hockey has grown so much. And I know the final in 2010 Vancouver was great for the game as well.”

After the Jets completed their on-ice session on Saturday, Toews fielded questions about the high-profile Olympic tournament that has lived up to the hype so far and also shared some insight on what it’s like to appear in a game of this magnitude, given his international experiences.

“It’s funny to be on the other side of it now, and just see how everyone’s holding their breath,(when) we were down 2-0 against the Finns. And you feel how important this is to everyone across Canada in games like that,” said Toews. “So obviously, this is the big one. There’s some great teams in the tournament, so it hasn’t been an easy road for Canada. So I’ll definitely be cheering for them.”

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Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

United States’ Jack Hughes (86) scores during a men’s ice hockey gold medal game between Canada and the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (Hassan Ammar / The Associated Press)

Olympic hockey showed us what’s possible

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Olympic hockey showed us what’s possible

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

MILAN — The United States grabbed gold, Canada settled for silver, and Finland skated away with bronze. But the real winner of the NHL’s long-awaited and much-anticipated return to the Winter Olympics? That would be the sport itself.

Jon Cooper called it “hockey on steroids,” and there’s no question that what we witnessed here in Milan was a smashing success.

The rosters were stacked. The competition fierce. The atmosphere electric. The elimination games intense. And it all culminated in hockey’s two fiercest rivals meeting in one of the most highly anticipated games of this generation— an instant classic that had bars opening as early as 5 a.m. and might just set some viewership records.

“This has been the greatest two weeks of my life,” U.S. defenceman Charlie McAvoy said following his team’s dramatic 2-1 overtime victory to reach the top of the podium. “I can’t believe the storybook ending here.”

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Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

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