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Jay LaPrete / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness has completely turned the club’s season around since he became bench boss in January.

Step aside Oscars, hockey awards season is just heating up

Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Friday, Mar. 20, 2026

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PITTSBURGH — Rick Bowness has never won the Jack Adams Trophy during his decorated coaching career. He was named a finalist for the first — and only — time while guiding the Winnipeg Jets during the 2023-24 season.

That campaign ended with a disappointing first-round playoff exit and a retirement announcement from Bowness, who along with his wife, Judy, had battled health issues that year.

Life has a funny way of circling back sometimes, and Bowness is not only back behind a big-league bench, but making a compelling case that he might just be the best in the business.

The fact that Bowness was still soaking up his post-hockey life at the start of 2026, spending time with family in Florida, makes this story even more incredible.

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Hofer ready for more with Blues

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Hofer ready for more with Blues

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Sunday, Mar. 15, 2026

There’s a legitimate argument to be made that the best Canadian goaltender on the St. Louis Blues is not the one who was standing in net during the gold medal game last month in Milan.

No disrespect to Olympic silver medallist Jordan Binnington, but Joel Hofer has seized control of his team’s crease this season. The 25-year-old Winnipegger has already set career highs in games played, wins and shutouts, showing he has the makeup to take on a bigger role with the club.

He’ll likely get his chance, too, with the 32-year-old Binnington — who was in net on Sunday afternoon as the Blues fell 3-2 to the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre — under contract for just one more year and the subject of plenty of trade rumours.

“I’m a competitor. I always want to play. I obviously can’t control who starts or what not,” Hofer told the Free Press following the game.

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Sunday, Mar. 15, 2026

JOE PUETZ / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES

St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer blocks a shot from the Winnipeg Jets during the first period of a game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in St. Louis.
JOE PUETZ / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer blocks a shot from the Winnipeg Jets during the first period of a game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in St. Louis.

Jets’ draft and development model should get a much-needed infusion of talent

Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

Jets’ draft and development model should get a much-needed infusion of talent

Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Friday, Mar. 13, 2026

A weekly lap around the NHL by Free Press hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe

With the Winnipeg Jets ushering in a bit of a youth movement down the stretch, there’s bound to be a renewed focus on the “draft and development” model that is supposed to be their bread-and-butter.

No question it has paid dividends, particularly from the earlier stages of the 2.0 era. The first two picks way back in 2011 — Mark Scheifele and Adam Lowry — were home runs who have become foundational pieces for the franchise.

The likes of Connor Hellebuyck, Josh Morrissey and Kyle Connor soon followed and remain to this day, while Jacob Trouba, Andrew Copp, Nikolaj Ehlers, Patrik Laine and Mason Appleton all became key contributors before moving on.

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Friday, Mar. 13, 2026

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Logan Stanley (64) is pressured by Washington Capitals center Dylan Strome (17) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Logan Stanley (64) is pressured by Washington Capitals center Dylan Strome (17) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Jets’ slim playoff hopes may have left town with loss to Rangers

Ken Wiebe 9 minute read Preview

Jets’ slim playoff hopes may have left town with loss to Rangers

Ken Wiebe 9 minute read Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026

That glimmer of hope hasn’t been fully snuffed out yet, but the Winnipeg Jets slim playoff hopes have taken another significant hit.

Fresh off a lacklustre effort against the Anaheim Ducks, the Jets fell 6-3 to the New York Rangers on Thursday at Canada Life Centre, slipping to 26-28-10 overall. The Jets are 3-2 on this season-long eight-game homestand.

“This team’s not going to just fold,” said Jets left-winger Kyle Connor. “There’s a lot of compete and a lot of will in this room, a lot of belief, too.

“Yeah, we need to respond.”

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Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS

New York Rangers’ Gabe Perreault watches as teammate Adam Fox’s shot gets past Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck in the first period of the Rangers’ 6-3 win, Thursday.
John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS New York Rangers’ Gabe Perreault watches as teammate Adam Fox’s shot gets past Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck in the first period of the Rangers’ 6-3 win, Thursday.

Jets pull within five points of final Western Conference playoff spot

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

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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Monday, Mar. 9, 2026

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.
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.

Stanley hoping to make a difference in Buffalo

Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

Stanley hoping to make a difference in Buffalo

Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Friday, Mar. 6, 2026

A weekly lap around the NHL by Free Press hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe

The calls and text messages were coming in fast and furious for Logan Stanley.

As he sat in the press box on Thursday night watching the Winnipeg Jets take on and eventually defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1, the towering defenceman was dealing with the rumour mill in real time and had a feeling his life was about to change — even if reality hadn’t quite kicked in yet.

Once a pending unrestricted free agent is held out for roster related reasons, as Stanley was at the last minute on Thursday, a trade is often just a formality.

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Friday, Mar. 6, 2026

Fred Greenslade / THE CANADIAN PRESS

Logan Stanley (right) played his last game with the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. The defenceman was traded to the Buffalo Sabres Thursday along with fellow defenceman Luke Schenn.
Fred Greenslade / THE CANADIAN PRESS Logan Stanley (right) played his last game with the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. The defenceman was traded to the Buffalo Sabres Thursday along with fellow defenceman Luke Schenn.

NHL commissioner Bettman says criticism of U.S. men’s team at Olympics ‘unfortunate’

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

NHL commissioner Bettman says criticism of U.S. men’s team at Olympics ‘unfortunate’

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 4, 2026

CALGARY - NHL commissioner Gary Bettman declined an opportunity Tuesday to weigh in on the political aspect of the U.S. hockey celebration at the Milan Cortina Olympics, but did say he thought what was portrayed "was unfortunate and not accurate."

"I know for a fact that the men's team had no intention of doing anything to slight the women's team," Bettman said at a media availability at the Scotiabank Saddledome. "If anything, both teams were chanting, 'Two for two.'"

The Americans won Olympic gold in the men's and women's tournaments. Both finals were 2-1 overtime wins over Canada.

Following the men's victory on Feb. 22, the Americans were joined in the locker room by FBI director Kash Patel. The players also got a speakerphone call from President Donald Trump.

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Wednesday, Mar. 4, 2026

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman speaks during a press conference in Calgary on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dayne Patterson
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman speaks during a press conference in Calgary on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dayne Patterson

Jets fans not the only ones wondering what’s next

Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe 11 minute read Preview

Jets fans not the only ones wondering what’s next

Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe 11 minute read Friday, Feb. 27, 2026

ANAHEIM – Dylan DeMelo knows exactly what limbo looks like.

DeMelo was in his final days as a member of the Ottawa Senators in February 2020.

Although he was playing well and interested in signing a contract extension, he was on an expiring contract and negotiations never fully materialized.

So in the week before the NHL trade deadline, it was basically a matter of when and where that was left to be sorted out.

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Friday, Feb. 27, 2026

JESSIE ALCHEH / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES

Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dylan Demelo says the March 6 NHL trade deadline can leave many players with an uneasy feeling.
JESSIE ALCHEH / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dylan Demelo says the March 6 NHL trade deadline can leave many players with an uneasy feeling.

‘Go Habs Go!’ to return to Montreal buses after language controversy

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

‘Go Habs Go!’ to return to Montreal buses after language controversy

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026

MONTREAL - Montreal's transit agency says the "Go Habs Go!" slogan will return to some city buses next month after the provincial language watchdog authorized the use of the English expression.

The story made headlines last year after the watchdog pressured the agency to scrub the word "go" from the electronic screens on buses used to cheer on the NHL's Montreal Canadiens and other sports teams.

But the Office québécois de la langue française reversed course after public outcry and a declaration by the province’s French-language minister that the expression “Go Habs Go” is part of Quebec culture.

The Société de transport de Montréal says it hadn't changed the messages until now because the update had to be done individually for each bus during periods of maintenance.

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Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026

A bus is seen with the expression "Allez! Canadiens Allez!" in Montreal on Thursday, April 24, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
A bus is seen with the expression

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 Sunday, Feb. 22, 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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Sunday, Feb. 22, 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)

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

‘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

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)

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

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.

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 Saturday, Feb. 21, 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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Saturday, Feb. 21, 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.

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

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.

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

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.

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