Predators have Manitoba connections

By: Ed Tait Posted: 1:17 PM CDT Friday, Sep. 30, 2011 Last Modified: 3:13 PM CDT Friday, Sep. 30, 2011 | Updates

The Wilsons will be there, the Tootoos could fill a whole section and the head coach has deep ties to the province and the hockey community here.

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The Wilsons will be there, the Tootoos could fill a whole section and the head coach has deep ties to the province and the hockey community here.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/09/2011 (5118 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Wilsons will be there, the Tootoos could fill a whole section and the head coach has deep ties to the province and the hockey community here.

And so while the Nashville Predators are the visiting side when they meet the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre Friday night, there are enough Manitoba connections with the out of towners that there will be a few fans NOT wearing Jets colours tonight.

Imagine that.

Sanford Myers/ The Associated Press archives
Nashville Predators right wing Jordin Tootoo practises on Jan. 31, 2011, in Nashville, Tenn. — Sanford Myers/ The Associated Press archives Nashville Predators right wing Jordin Tootoo practises on Jan. 31, 2011, in Nashville, Tenn.

“It’s obviously great to be back in Manitoba,” said Predators’ winger Jordin Tootoo, who was born in Churchill, MB and raised in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, after Friday’s morning skate that was taken in by a handful of his friends and family. “Winnipeg has always been a hockey city and the buzz around here has been tremendous. I have a lot of background playing in Manitoba, playing in Brandon (with the Wheat Kings) for four years and The Pas, with OCN (Blizzard of the MJHL) for a year.

“It’s always nice to see familiar faces. I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time.”

Also in the Preds’ lineup Friday is centre Colin Wilson, who was born in Connecticut when his father Carey was playing in Hartford, but grew up in Winnipeg. Both his parents watched the morning skate.

And the head coach, Barry Trotz, is a Winnipegger who has coached both the Dauphin Kings and University of Manitoba Bisons.

“I’m excited for Winnipeg. I mean, I was around when Winnipeg lost the team, being at the U of M and being a Manitoba boy,” said Trotz. “I’m just excited to see how much vitality a sports team can bring to a city. It’s fun to watch from afar. Watching the preseason games, they seem like playoff games. It’s just a great atmosphere and it’ll be a real fun year for all Jets’ fans, I’m sure.”