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John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg Jets centre Viggo Bjorck said Thursday he’s battled some early butterflies, but he’s just focused on improving his game and not concerned about getting his first NHL point.

Bjorck banking on patience that first NHL point will come

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Yesterday at 6:22 PM CDT

Viggo Bjorck believes it’s just a matter of time.

But the 18-year-old rookie forward for the Winnipeg Jets says he’s not worrying about his first NHL point after plenty of close calls and near misses so far.

The more important number is 3-0-1 — his team’s record at this point as they head into action on Friday night, hosting the Anaheim Ducks at Canada Life Centre to close out a busy stretch of five games in eight days.

“Just got to keep trying. Eventually it will come, I believe,” Bjorck said following his team’s optional skate on Thursday, which he participated in.

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Gene J. Puskar / The Associated Press Files Winnipeg Jets’ Mark Scheifele, centre, recorded two assists in the Jets’ win over the Avalanche, Wednesday.

Scheifele’s scoring ‘drought’ ends with pair of assists in win over Avs

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Scheifele’s scoring ‘drought’ ends with pair of assists in win over Avs

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026

Mark Scheifele insisted he wasn’t worried.

But make no mistake: When a prolific point producer coming off a career-best offensive season puts up zeroes in his first three games, people are going to start talking.

Is this an ominous sign, some fans wondered? Is Father Time starting to catch up, others pondered?

Let the record show the so-called drought officially ended on Wednesday night in a big way when Scheifele assisted on Cole Perfetti’s second-period goal, then set up Kyle Connor’s dramatic game-winner with 60 seconds left in regulation.

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Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026

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NICK WASS / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Former Washington Capitals goalie Clay Stevenson is joining the Jets and will immediately step into the role as backup goalie.

Jets pick up netminder as relatively new 23-man roster announced

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Jets pick up netminder as relatively new 23-man roster announced

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Monday, Sep. 28, 2026

Let’s get the caveats out of the way: Nothing is set in stone, nor written in permanent ink, and what you see right now could change in the blink of an eye.

With that being said, allow us to introduce you to the 2026-27 Winnipeg Jets — where change is very much in the air.

The 23-man roster submitted to the NHL offices by Monday’s 4 p.m. deadline includes seven players who were not on the team at this time last year. In fact, there could be as many as 10 new faces in the opening-night lineup on Friday against Boston when you factor in three regulars didn’t start the 2025-26 campaign due to injury.

That’s a lot of turnover, which isn’t surprising for a team that finished 26th overall in the standings and was — to most fans and pundits — too old and too slow.

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Monday, Sep. 28, 2026

NHL

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Jets power-play unit stalwart Kyle Connor (left) was involved in the penalty kill skate on Thursday, suggesting the forward could see some double duty at times this season depending on the circumstances.

Jets focus on power play and penalty kill as shortened pre-season winds down

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Jets focus on power play and penalty kill as shortened pre-season winds down

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Thursday, Sep. 24, 2026

You can point the finger of blame in a number of directions when it comes to finding fault with last season’s Winnipeg Jets.

A lineup that was too old and too slow. Injuries to key players. Regression from other core members. Inconsistent goaltending. The list goes on.

Well, here’s another culprit that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough: spotty special teams. More specifically, a power play that was anything but potent and a penalty kill that was far too porous.

That has to change — and fast — if this team is going anywhere.

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Thursday, Sep. 24, 2026

NHL

Winnipeg Jets’ goaltender Thomas Milic (32) (Mike Deal / Free Press files)

New Jets show promise despite loss to experienced Oilers

Mike McIntyre 9 minute read Preview

New Jets show promise despite loss to experienced Oilers

Mike McIntyre 9 minute read Sunday, Sep. 20, 2026

Preseason hockey games are always more about the process than the result, and that’s especially true when the opposing rosters appear to be a major mismatch on paper.

So a 5-2 loss by an inexperienced group of Winnipeg Jets skaters against a star-studded Edmonton Oilers squad on Saturday night in the Alberta capital was neither surprising nor alarming.

There was, however, plenty to like from the visitors’ perspective despite the outcome.

Let’s break it down.

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Sunday, Sep. 20, 2026

NHL

Mike Deal / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor, who is close friends with goalie Connor Hellebuyck, said Thursday there were ‘signs throughout the whole summer’ that the netminder had not returning to the club for the season on his mind.

Jets vets weigh in on franchise goalie Hellebuyck not reporting to training camp

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Jets vets weigh in on franchise goalie Hellebuyck not reporting to training camp

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Thursday, Sep. 17, 2026

Hockey is the ultimate team sport, where it’s supposed to be about the crest on your chest rather than the name on your back.

So how is Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request and subsequent training camp strike playing out inside the Winnipeg Jets locker room — particularly among other core players he’s gone to battle with over the years?

“Obviously the news is heartbreaking,” Jets forward Kyle Connor said Thursday.

“It feels like we had such a special group here and for whatever reason — I can’t speak to the reason until we hear from the man, I’m not going to speculate on what it is but I know that a lot of guys in that room that are heartbroken.”

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Thursday, Sep. 17, 2026

NHL

Mike Deal / FREE PRESS

Jets GM insists club’s not working under any deadline in netminder’s trade request

Mike McIntyre 8 minute read Preview

Jets GM insists club’s not working under any deadline in netminder’s trade request

Mike McIntyre 8 minute read Thursday, Sep. 17, 2026

Connor Hellebuyck and his family were subject to so much post-Olympic vitriol that both the Winnipeg Jets security team and even police had to get involved.

General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff revealed new details about the situation when asked about it Thursday by the Free Press, acknowledging it may have played a role in the star goaltender now refusing to report to training camp while he awaits word of a trade he’s demanded.

“That’s the dangers of being on social media today,” said Cheveldayoff, who took aim at the mostly anonymous trolls.

“You open yourself up, obviously to the fans and you want to make that connection, but some of the fans aren’t true blue fans. There’s a lot of things that probably get said that have nothing to do with anybody in our market. They might not even be from a Canadian market.”

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Thursday, Sep. 17, 2026

NHL

Fred Greenslade / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (centre) turning up to training camp will be a major plot twist since the netminder has been absent so far this fall.

Plotlines aplenty in pre-season prep

Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe 10 minute read Preview

Plotlines aplenty in pre-season prep

Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe 10 minute read Wednesday, Sep. 16, 2026

Welcome to a Winnipeg Jets training camp like no other — one where the on-ice storylines and battles threaten to be trumped by what’s happening away from the rink.

Yes, the dark cloud that is the Connor Hellebuyck situation looms over the organization as it prepares to try and turn the page on a terrible 2025-26 campaign which ended with a 26th-overall finish.

It’s not going to be easy, especially in a highly competitive Central Division and Western Conference and with such a major unresolved issue.

But the work starts now, and Free Press hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe get you set for what to expect ahead of the 84-game regular season, which begins Oct. 2.

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Wednesday, Sep. 16, 2026

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 Preview

‘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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Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026

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 4 minute read Preview

Jets rounding out alumni game roster

Mike McIntyre 4 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

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