Former Jet off to Swiss league

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This article was published 29/09/2015 (3691 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Seeing other capable veteran NHL players released from training camp tryouts was the last straw for Jim Slater.

The former Winnipeg Jets centre today signed a contract to play for Geneve-Servette HC in the Swiss A league this season.

The team under head coach Chris McSorley is plagued with injuries six games into its season.

“Following the way the league’s going here, just seeing the names getting released from PTO’s, it’s amazing,” Slater said today from his Michigan home. “I’ve been shocked and surprised because there are some really good hockey players and they’re going to be looking for jobs, too.”

Slater, who has a year and an option with the club, leaves Thursday for Switzerland.

“A nice scramble just trying to get things tied up, then just go to play hockey,” Slater said.

Slater said he bears no ill will to the Jets or Winnipeg for not bringing him back for 2015-16.

“I said it earlier but it’s the truth, I’m not crying because it’s over, I’m smiling because it happened.,” he said. “That’s the way I’ve lived my life and will continue to.

“I want the best for everyone there.”

He said he has good memories and still good friends in Winnipeg.

“I’m still very fortunate that I was able to be a part of them for so long,” he said. “It’s disappointing because you’ve been following training camp, you see pictures of the guys and you hear things about them and see them getting ready for games. That’s hard for any athlete and I don’t think I’m any different in that aspect.

“I’m still going to cheer for them. I’ve still got friends on the team. I want to see them succeed. I love the city. It’s a great hockey city. I want nothing but the best for them. That’s who I am. I’m not holding grudges.”

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Geneve-Servette includes former NHLers Matt D’Agostini and Matthew Lombardi, as well as Slater’s former Michigan State teammate Daniel Vukovic.

Slater was originally drafted by the Jets/Thrashers organization in the first round of 2002 and played 584 NHL games for the club, including 217 for the Jets after the move to Winnipeg.

The team did not re-sign the 32-year-old centre from Michigan this off-season.

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca