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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 6 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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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.
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

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.
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.
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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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

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)
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
Canada finds no solace in second place after 2-1 Olympic hockey loss to USA

Canada finds no solace in second place after 2-1 Olympic hockey loss to USA

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Canada finds no solace in second place after 2-1 Olympic hockey loss to USA

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026

MILAN — There were no silver linings for Canada. No solace in second place. No comfort or salvation in what coulda, shoulda been.

Sure, you could argue they deserved a better fate, given how much they controlled play for large stretches of Sunday’s gold-medal clash against the United States. But hockey can be cruel that way.

The final scoreboard — United States 2, Canada 1 — is ultimately all that mattered.

As players quietly shuffled through the mixed zone Sunday evening, solemn and stunned, heads down, barely noticing the silver medals hanging around their necks or the small plush Olympic souvenir mascots they’d been handed moments earlier, the sense of heartbreak was palpable.

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Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026

United States’ Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a stick save against Canada during the third period of Sunday’s game. (Petr David Josek / The Associated Press)
United States’ Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a stick save against Canada during the third period of Sunday’s game. (Petr David Josek / The Associated Press)

‘I felt I was doing everything right’: Hellebuyck leads USA to gold

Mike McIntyre 8 minute read Preview

‘I felt I was doing everything right’: Hellebuyck leads USA to gold

Mike McIntyre 8 minute read Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026

MILAN — On the biggest stage, under the brightest lights, with the weight of an entire nation on his back, Connor Hellebuyck proved he can elevate his game to the highest level — and deliver when it matters most.

The Winnipeg Jets netminder backstopped the United States to Olympic gold Sunday afternoon, stopping 41 of 42 shots in an instant classic that ended with a 2-1 overtime victory to close out the Milano Cortina Games.

“Oh my gosh, they’re going to be talking about this performance for generations,” said U.S. forward Matthew Tkachuk.

“It was an all-time performance from a superstar at his position. It’s gonna go down as one of the best performances of all time — it has to.”

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Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026

CAROLYN KASTER / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

United States head coach Mike Sullivan directs his team during the first period of a men’s ice hockey semifinal game against Slovakia.
CAROLYN KASTER / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS United States head coach Mike Sullivan directs his team during the first period of a men’s ice hockey semifinal game against Slovakia.

Canada, U.S. meet for Olympic gold in must-watch showdown

Mike McIntyre 9 minute read Preview

Canada, U.S. meet for Olympic gold in must-watch showdown

Mike McIntyre 9 minute read Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026

MILAN — The long and winding road to getting NHL players back at the Winter Olympics has led to this magical, marquee moment in Milan.

Sunday’s single-game showdown for gold-medal glory between Canada and the United States (7 a.m.) is the stuff of hockey heaven.

“If 4 Nations taught us anything, it’s how beautiful this game is and how intense it is. And if that was the appetizer, this is going to be the main course,” Canadian coach Jon Cooper said following Saturday’s practice.

Dig in and fill your bellies, hockey fans.

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Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026

CAROLYN KASTER / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Slovakia’s Adam Liska (23) battles with United States’ Brock Faber (centre) for the puck in front of U.S. goalie Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the third-period of the semifinal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
CAROLYN KASTER / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Slovakia’s Adam Liska (23) battles with United States’ Brock Faber (centre) for the puck in front of U.S. goalie Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the third-period of the semifinal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.

U.S. steamrolls Slovakia in Olympic semis

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

U.S. steamrolls Slovakia in Olympic semis

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

MILAN — The sweat was barely dry from the game that had just finished and Matthew Tkachuk was already thinking about what comes next.

“You can’t really script it any better than that,” the American forward said Friday night following a 6-2 victory over Slovakia that now sets the stage for a 4 Nations Final re-match with Canada.

“All we cared about is putting ourselves in that position, didn’t really matter who we were going to play. But now that it’s all set in stone, everything happens for a reason.’’

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck continued to come up big for his country, stopping 22 of 24 shots in a game his teammates took full control of early. He’s now given up just five goals in four games.

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

CAROLYN KASTER / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Team Canada’s Macklin Celebrini (17) watches Nathan MacKinnon’s shot get past Finland’s netminder Juuse Saros for the game-winning goal in Friday’s semifinal clash.
CAROLYN KASTER / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Team Canada’s Macklin Celebrini (17) watches Nathan MacKinnon’s shot get past Finland’s netminder Juuse Saros for the game-winning goal in Friday’s semifinal clash.

Team Canada to go for gold

Mike McIntyre 8 minute read Preview

Team Canada to go for gold

Mike McIntyre 8 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

MILAN — Those crazy, cardiac Canadians did it again.

Not content with putting themselves — and their fan base — through just one emotional roller-coaster at these Winter Olympics, the men’s hockey team doubled down Friday with another heart-stopping thriller. It was yet another glorious reminder of just how incredible best-on-best hockey at the highest level can be.

“It’s not over until it’s over, right?” said defenceman Thomas Harley, doing his best Yogi Berra impression.

No, it certainly isn’t. At least not with this Canadian roster, which clearly likes to live dangerously and has a flair for the dramatic.

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Hassan Ammar / The Associated Press

Team USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck credits the team in front of him as he stopped 28 of 29 shots in Wednesday’s quarterfinal clash against Sweden. Hellebuyck boasts a .958 save percentage and 1.00 goals-against average at the Milan Cortina Games.
Hassan Ammar / The Associated Press Team USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck credits the team in front of him as he stopped 28 of 29 shots in Wednesday’s quarterfinal clash against Sweden. Hellebuyck boasts a .958 save percentage and 1.00 goals-against average at the Milan Cortina Games.

Jets’ netminder Connor Hellebuyck backstops U.S. to overtime win over Swedes

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Jets’ netminder Connor Hellebuyck backstops U.S. to overtime win over Swedes

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

MILAN — The occasion was not too big for Connor Hellebuyck.

The Winnipeg Jets netminder, who also happens to be the reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner, should have silenced critics Wednesday who claim he shrinks when the stakes get higher.

Hellebuyck was calm, cool and collected, stopping 28 of 29 shots as the United States survived a scare from Sweden, winning 2-1 in overtime to avoid Olympic elimination and advance to the medal round.

“It’s one of those moments where you’ll look back at years down the road and just be so proud to be a part of it,” Hellebuyck said.

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Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

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