Winnipeg Free Press > Media > Point of View > The NHL is back!

  • A canvasback duck uses the water as a runway for takeoff.
  • Looking out over Dauphin Lake the thawing ice still floats on the lake, and the shore where the ice shove destroyed homes can be seen in the foreground. (Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press)
  • Manitoba Population: It is projected that Manitoba will have 1,385,300 residents as of July 1, 2020, an increase of 9.3% over Statistics Canada's estimate for 2012. Over the eight years, Manitoba's population is projected to increase by an average of 14,800 people annually, yielding an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. This compares to a 1.0% average annual growth rate over the previous eight year period, from 2004 to 2012. Over the 2013 to 2020 period, expected total net migration to Manitoba is 66,500 persons. This is made up of a net inflow of 88,000 international migrants, an outflow of 29,500 persons to other provinces, and 8,000 additional non-permanent residents. Natural increase is expected to add 53,000 persons to the population.
  • Some of these fish are left on Lake Manitoba after they've been caught. Randy Strawa sits in the background after processing some of the days catch. (Jessica Burtnick / Winnipeg Free Press)

Images from around the world chosen by the photo desk at the Winnipeg Free Press.

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  • October 9, 2011

    The NHL is back!

    The atmosphere in Winnipeg built to a fever pitch this weekend until exactly 4:20 p.m. when a new era of professional hockey began. Jets Bryan Little and Montreal Canadiens Tomas Plekanec took the opening draw of the 2011-12 NHL season before a boisterous standing-room only crowd at the MTS Centre. Stage fright and opposing snipers shot down the Winnipeg Jets in their home-opener and the Jets gave up three third-period goals and simply couldn't catch up, eventually losing 5-1.

  • A fan looks for tickets for the Jets inaugural game against the Montreal Canadiens at the MTS Centre on Sunday. (Jonathan Hayward / The Canadian Press)

    A fan looks for tickets for the Jets inaugural game against the Montreal Canadiens at the MTS Centre on Sunday. (Jonathan Hayward / The Canadian Press) Photo Store

  • Ryan Gilmour, a hard-core Jets fan, outside MTS Centre. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press)

    Ryan Gilmour, a hard-core Jets fan, outside MTS Centre. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • Edgar Purganan and Keith Lavallee outside the MTS Centre. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press)

    Edgar Purganan and Keith Lavallee outside the MTS Centre. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • Winnipeg Jets defenceman Ron Hainsey makes his way onto the ice during team introductions. (Jonathan Hayward / The Canadian Press)

    Winnipeg Jets defenceman Ron Hainsey makes his way onto the ice during team introductions. (Jonathan Hayward / The Canadian Press) Photo Store

  • Mark Dewar with his hand-knit Jets jersey his wife made him. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

    Mark Dewar with his hand-knit Jets jersey his wife made him. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • The first Winnipeg Jets fans file into the MTS Centre and Ethan Bewer, 9, meets Jets mascot Mick E. Moose. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press)

    The first Winnipeg Jets fans file into the MTS Centre and Ethan Bewer, 9, meets Jets mascot Mick E. Moose. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • The start of the Winnipeg Jets versus Montreal Canadiens. (Boris Minkevich / Winnipeg Free Press)

    The start of the Winnipeg Jets versus Montreal Canadiens. (Boris Minkevich / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • Outside the MTS Centre before the drop of the puck. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

    Outside the MTS Centre before the drop of the puck. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • Bryan Little crashes into Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price during the second period. (Jonathan Hayward / The Canadian Press)

    Bryan Little crashes into Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price during the second period. (Jonathan Hayward / The Canadian Press) Photo Store

  • Prime Minister Stephen Harper drinks a soda as he and his daughter Rachel watch the second period. (Jonathan Hayward / The Canadian Press)

    Prime Minister Stephen Harper drinks a soda as he and his daughter Rachel watch the second period. (Jonathan Hayward / The Canadian Press) Photo Store

  • Winnipeg Jets' Nik Antropov scores a goal past Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price and Canadiens defenceman Raphael Diaz during the third period. (Jonathan Hayward / The Canadian Press)

    Winnipeg Jets' Nik Antropov scores a goal past Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price and Canadiens defenceman Raphael Diaz during the third period. (Jonathan Hayward / The Canadian Press) Photo Store

  • A fan records the opening ceremonies at the MTS Centre. (Joe Bryksa / Winnipeg Free Press)

    A fan records the opening ceremonies at the MTS Centre. (Joe Bryksa / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • The national anthem was sung by Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo and Winnipeg native Chantal Kreviazuk. (Boris Minkevich / Winnipeg Free Press)

    The national anthem was sung by Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo and Winnipeg native Chantal Kreviazuk. (Boris Minkevich / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • A special ceremony for Rick Rypien before the game took place with Gary Bettman, Craig Heisinger, Shelley Crawford (mother), Mark Chipman and David Thomson. (Boris Minkevich / Winnipeg Free Press)

    A special ceremony for Rick Rypien before the game took place with Gary Bettman, Craig Heisinger, Shelley Crawford (mother), Mark Chipman and David Thomson. (Boris Minkevich / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • It was a full house for the Winnipeg Jets inaugural game against the Montreal Canadiens. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press)

    It was a full house for the Winnipeg Jets inaugural game against the Montreal Canadiens. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • One of two jets pass over the large crowd watching the Winnipeg Jets season-opener against the Montreal Canadiens on large screens at The Forks. (Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press)

    One of two jets pass over the large crowd watching the Winnipeg Jets season-opener against the Montreal Canadiens on large screens at The Forks. (Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • Evander Kane chases the puck against Canadiens Michael Cammalleri and Yannick Weber during first-period action. (Joe Bryksa / Winnipeg Free Press)

    Evander Kane chases the puck against Canadiens Michael Cammalleri and Yannick Weber during first-period action. (Joe Bryksa / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • Pride in their hometown and the Jets was displayed in many ways. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press)

    Pride in their hometown and the Jets was displayed in many ways. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • A large crowd watches the Winnipeg Jets season-opener against the Montreal Canadiens on large screens at The Forks. (Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press)

    A large crowd watches the Winnipeg Jets season-opener against the Montreal Canadiens on large screens at The Forks. (Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • Mark Scheifele faces off during second-period action. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press)

    Mark Scheifele faces off during second-period action. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • Canadien David Desharnais is stopped by Ondrej Pavelec during second-period action. (Joe Bryksa / Winnipeg Free Press)

    Canadien David Desharnais is stopped by Ondrej Pavelec during second-period action. (Joe Bryksa / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • Canadien Alexei Emelin jumps over downed Jet Kyle Wellwood behind the Montreal net during second-period action. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press)

    Canadien Alexei Emelin jumps over downed Jet Kyle Wellwood behind the Montreal net during second-period action. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • Evander Kane battles with Canadien Scott Gomez during second-period action. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press)

    Evander Kane battles with Canadien Scott Gomez during second-period action. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • Nik Antropov scores the first NHL goal for the new Winnipeg Jets. (Joe Bryksa / Winnipeg Free Press)

    Nik Antropov scores the first NHL goal for the new Winnipeg Jets. (Joe Bryksa / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • Fans celebrate the Nik Antropov's goal during third-period action. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press)

    Fans celebrate the Nik Antropov's goal during third-period action. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • Fans watching the game at the convention centre cheer after the Jets' Nik Antropov scores the first goal. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

    Fans watching the game at the convention centre cheer after the Jets' Nik Antropov scores the first goal. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • Defenceman Dustin Byfuglien gets a penalty. (Boris Minkevich / Winnipeg Free Press)

    Defenceman Dustin Byfuglien gets a penalty. (Boris Minkevich / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • Montreal Canadians Max Pacioretty, left, celebrates qa third period goal. (Joe Bryksa / Winnipeg Free Press)

    Montreal Canadians Max Pacioretty, left, celebrates qa third period goal. (Joe Bryksa / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • Brett MacLean battles with Yannick Weber during third-period action. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press)

    Brett MacLean battles with Yannick Weber during third-period action. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • Montreal Canadians goaltender Carey Price keeps his eyes on the puck as Winnipeg Jets Tanner Glass storms the net during third period. (Joe Bryksa / Winnipeg Free Press)

    Montreal Canadians goaltender Carey Price keeps his eyes on the puck as Winnipeg Jets Tanner Glass storms the net during third period. (Joe Bryksa / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • Mick E. Moose is always a crowd favourite. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press)

    Mick E. Moose is always a crowd favourite. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

  • The Jets leave the ice after their 5-1 loss. (Boris Minkevich / Winnipeg Free Press)

    The Jets leave the ice after their 5-1 loss. (Boris Minkevich / Winnipeg Free Press) Photo Store

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