FAQ: Lockout ends: Training camp dates won't be announced until CBA is ratified

Q: It sure is taking a long time to confirm the start of training camps or the season. What gives?

A: A little more patience will be required. The NHL doesn't want to release a schedule until the new 10-year deal is ratified by both the owners and players. The owners are likely to do that this afternoon. The players' endorsement vote could stretch on to later this week. Camps will not open until both sides endorse the deal with majority votes.

Q: Are the Jets planning any kind of financial compensation or gesture of concilliation for fans in the aftermath of the lockout?

A: Season-ticket holders had the option to keep their payments on account and earn interest (or be refunded) while the lockout was on. Beyond that, the team is not contemplating anything like free tickets or giveaways.

Q: Do we know anything at all about the schedule?

A: The Jets will open at home against the Ottawa Senators on Jan. 19. Apart from that, what is known is that the schedule format will see Winnipeg play two of its Southeast Division opponents five times, and the other two division teams four times. Winnipeg will also have three games each against the other 10 teams in the Eastern Conference (including Canadian rivals Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa) for a total of 48 games.

Q: Hockey, hockey, hockey... I've got tickets for Rihanna in March. That concert isn't going to get cancelled to accommodate the Jets, is it?

A: No. All the event dates over the next few months are locked in and written in ink. And if you study the MTS Centre calendar, it's not hard to figure when the Jets might be home and away. Example: the Jets are opening at home on Jan. 19, which was already set aside for a game. After that, there are only two other non-hockey dates in January -- Jan. 23 for Kenny Rogers and Jan. 26 for The Tragically Hip.

In February, there are three concerts and a monster-truck show over the course of seven days from the 20th to 26th while early March features the Pink Floyd Experience on the 4th and Disney on Ice from March 7-10.

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

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