Jets and Moose are in close quarters this week, making it easy for the boss to keep an eye on things

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This article was published 21/10/2015 (3633 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It used to be 3,220 kilometres between practices.

This week, it was no more than a Dustin Byfuglien point shot, about 60 feet.

The Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose were under the same roof this week at practice for the first time since the start of the NHL and AHL seasons, skating both Tuesday and Wednesday at the MTS Iceplex.

It’s the new hockey order in Winnipeg after True North Sports & Entertainment brought the Moose back from St. John’s, N.L. The AHL team, originally the Moose, went there in 2011 to make room for the relocated Atlanta Thrashers.

The Moose started their Wednesday workout just a couple of minutes before the Jets, ending just a couple of minutes later than their NHL parent team.

Through four panes of glass, the view from the ice on the Winnipeg Free Press rink, where the Moose skate regularly, to the Assiniboine Credit Union rink, the normal ice surface for Jets practice when the team’s at the Iceplex, is as clear as clear gets.

And vice versa.

It’s only separated by the regular gathering of spectators, most there to watch the Jets, and dollar signs.

“I don’t think it’s distraction,” said Moose defenceman Brenden Kichton, asked about being able to see the Jets across the lobby. “It’s almost motivation. You know somebody’s watching you, always, the GM or coach.

“You can’t just come in one day and slack off, go through the motions. You have to be prepared every day, get better every day.

“It’s a lot of work to go over there. It’s only 60 feet but it’s a lot harder than that.”

Centre Patrice Cormier, who has played 29 games for the reincarnated Jets over four seasons, was asked if he thinks about it more now that he can see the NHL team with his own eyes.

“It is not a distraction,” Cormier said. “We see those guys in the gym. You just go about your business. We see them, we say, ‘Hi.’ I’m happy to see the guys and they’re happy to see us. Want it or not, we see them a lot and spend a lot of time with them during camp.

“I’ve been with those guys for some time. It’s not a distraction. You want to be there and it’s just one call away. It’s inches from getting a call. That’s why it’s important for us to keep the pedal down and keep working. You do see them, you do notice them. You control what you can. That’s the way I am. You do that, you’ll have success. You can’t control that the Jets are on the other side here.”

Apart from the benefit of infinitely easier recalls most days of the season, a big advantage for the organization is having eyes on the prospects.

On Wednesday, that included the big boss, Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff.

How did he choose which team to watch?

“I started by watching the Jets, a bit of old habit and my nature,” Cheveldayoff said. “But at the first break, I popped over to other side and watched the Moose for a while.”

The Jets GM said had relevant discussions with both coaches, Paul Maurice of the Jets and Keith McCambridge of the Moose, and enjoyed that thoroughly.

“I hadn’t had a chance yet to sit with Keith but I spent some time talking to the Moose coaches until I got booted out when some players came in for extra teaching,” he said. “I’m not sure how many days they’ll be together like that.

“What’s important now is that everyone kind of settles in into finding rhythm of their seasons. But I understand that with most young players, the NHL is never too far away from their minds.”

Told that Cheveldayoff was watching the Moose practice, Cormier, now 25, just grinned.

“You see, somebody’s always watching,” he said. “We know they’re around. We just go about our business. And what we control is going on the ice every day and getting to work.

“We use it as motivation. Some guys may be nervous about it but most guys use it. It’s exciting we’re just down the hall.”

The watchful eyes were no big deal, Kichton said.

As for his own eyes, they’re fixed on his own job, not on watching the Jets practice.

“I’m focused on what I’m doing,” he said. “I’m not looking over there too much. I’m trying to get better at my craft, working on the little things in my game and the stuff our team needs to work on.”

Moose coach Keith McCambridge has the responsibility for keeping eyes, hands and feet moving towards a better game.

Now he’s juggling another potential distraction, and it’s no small job.

“I think the team notices, yes,” said McCambridge, pointing to the ice where the Jets practised. “That’s a good thing they notice. They know that management is that much closer, watching practices. They did a good job with that the last four years but at the end of the day, you’re on a rock in the middle of the ocean, it’s hard to get to those places.

“It’s a real good thing for the players to realize there are that many more eyes on you and watching to see where your development is at this stage.

“Is it a distraction? Well, the other side is that if you’re a player and there’s nobody watching for 20 of your 30 practices… let’s just say I think there will be a boost for us as the season goes awlong, based on who’s watching.”

If the Jets practising 60 feet away is motivation, then McCambridge would obviously forgive the occasional glance across, right?

“In the middle of a drill? That wouldn’t be high on the list of good things,” he said. “But there’s a motivation factor.”

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca