The new Jets in town Ferraro, Skinner getting lay of the land before training camp starts By: Mike McIntyre Posted: 5:45 PM CDT Wednesday, Sep. 9, 2026

They’ve both been around the NHL block a bit, but make no mistake, Stuart Skinner and Mario Ferraro are experiencing some “new kid at school” type jitters this week.

The pair were prized July 1 free agent signings by the Winnipeg Jets and are now quickly trying to get the lay of the land — from teammates and systems and structure to restaurants, schools and the best routes to the rink — in what is a frantic time on both a professional and personal level.

“It’s a big change, right?” Ferraro said Wednesday following a pre-training camp skate at the Hockey For All Centre.

“Like moving cities, getting settled somewhere else, with my family, my wife, my daughter, our two dogs. But I think it’s gone really well and smooth. We found a great place here, and we’re really happy with where we’re living.”

The Jets try to help make the transition as smooth as possible, with several members of the organization working with families like the Ferraros and the Skinners ahead of time.

“It affects everyone. That’s what people don’t get to see all of the time. Even when you get traded, it’s a hit on the whole family, so there’s a lot of moving parts that go into it,” said Skinner, a married father with two young children.

“But you get so much help through your new teammates, with different people that are helping you out. It’s really important to have a good circle around you and I’ve been very fortunate with that.”

To that extent, plenty of plans were already in place before Ferraro and Skinner touched down in Winnipeg last week to prepare for the coming season.

“A lot of people have reached out and really helped,” said Skinner, who signed a two-year deal that pays him US$3.75 million per season.

“I knew I was coming to a place where they treat their players really well and their families really well, and they’ve been very kind and accommodating for me and my wife and our two kids, so that helps a lot. It was easy to find a place. It was easy to kind of get here and get settled.”

This is an entirely new experience for Ferraro, the 27-year-old defenceman from Toronto who has played all seven of his NHL seasons with the San Jose Sharks.

Watching him on the ice this week, you’d never know he’s in the getting to know you stage. Let’s just say a report card on Ferraro would state he “makes friends easily.”

“It’s hard to speak for myself, but I like to think I’m a pretty outgoing person,” said Ferraro, who inked a three-year pact that pays him US$4 million per season.

A day earlier, Jets captain Adam Lowry and blue-liner Dylan DeMelo compared Ferraro to beloved former teammate Nate Schmidt, who was always the life of the party.

“I like to just be myself and, you know, get to bond with the guys,” said Ferraro. “I look at that as a really great opportunity, and to create new friendships.”

Ferraro is excited to slide right into a defence corps that includes DeMelo, Josh Morrissey, Neal Pionk, Dylan Samberg and Elias Salomonsson.

“It’s really important to have a good circle around you and I’ve been very fortunate with that.”

He’ll spend the next week getting even more familiar with his new teammates before on-ice training camp sessions officially begin Sept. 17, leading to opening night on the NHL season 15 days later.

“Obviously there’s events going on and some things that we take care of leading up to camp and even throughout camp, some bonding stuff that goes on. So no stress about us being comfortable enough by the time October 2 comes,” said Ferraro.

“I already feel like this is a veteran group and they got a lot of guys that have been here for a long time, and it shows. I’m excited to get to know them even more.”

At least a couple of those outings will involve golf — a sport Ferraro says is very much a work-in-progress for him. The Jets have plenty of excellent golfers, including Samberg, Mark Scheifele, Morgan Barron and Kyle Connor, among others.

“It’s interesting. We were talking about it before, it’s a cold place in the winter and you can’t golf year-round and we got, I think, the best golfers (of any NHL team),” said Ferraro.

“My golf game is not very good. But I enjoy playing, I enjoy being out there. I’m trying to grow, so maybe I can learn a thing or two.”

Skinner is experiencing a move for the second time in his career, but this one isn’t quite as jarring. He was traded by the Edmonton Oilers to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the middle of last season, whereas this time he had an entire summer to prepare himself.

“I always wanted to ask him for advice so finally, I’ll actually get to get some advice from him.”

“That experience definitely helped me going through this process right now,” he said.

However, the 27-year-old from Edmonton did have one confession to make on Wednesday.

“I’ve asked a few guys their name, I think, three times already,” Skinner said, laughing.

“That’s probably the hardest part coming to a new team — when you don’t know many guys. Just remembering the names. But I’m certain I’ll get to know everybody and start to get the lay of the land here in the city and the rinks and get my routine down. I feel in the situation I’m in, you just want to come in early and dive right in.”

One name Skinner has become familiar with is Jets goaltender coach Wade Flaherty, who has spent the past few days working with him on and off the ice.

“I’m so excited,” he said. “I’ve heard so many good things about him ever since I’ve gotten into starting my career and, obviously, playing Winnipeg a few times being able to cross paths here and there. I always wanted to ask him for advice so, finally, I’ll actually get to get some advice from him. So, I’m very fortunate, very lucky to be working with someone like him.”

Flaherty has brought out the best in Connor Hellebuyck, Eric Comrie and Laurent Brossoit over his career, and Skinner hopes to start reaping some of those rewards as well.

“With Wade, I already feel there’s a lot of trust with each of us,” said Skinner.

“With me and Flats I have all the trust in the world in him. I think he’s an amazing guy, he’s very calm and has incredible intelligence. I feel like we’ve got off on the right foot and already built a solid amount of chemistry.”

Speaking of Hellebuyck, the three-time Vezina Trophy winner has requested a trade and isn’t expected to attend training camp. That creates both uncertainty and opportunity for Skinner.

“It’s funny, it might be me that gets impacted a little bit more. But I haven’t thought much about it,” said Skinner.

“What I’ve learned in my four years is my job is my job. I come here, get changed, go on the ice, get to work, get off, go home. That’s all I’m really focusing on and worrying about. If I just stick to my process and keep on working on my game, that’s what’s going to make me the happiest in myself and the most proud of myself.”

Both Ferraro and Skinner said they’ll likely feel right at home the first time they step on the ice at Canada Life Centre.

“It’s always a difficult game when you’re playing in the ’Peg, so I’m happy to have home ice advantage here now. I can’t wait to get in the building,” said Skinner.

Added Ferraro: “I’m excited to get to know a new fan base and hopefully become a fan of theirs out there in the way that I play. I’m excited to build that relationship with them.”

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