Informal Jets practice has air of formality

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This article was published 12/09/2016 (3321 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It wasn’t an official Winnipeg Jets practice, but it was as close as it gets before the bosses get involved later this week.

A mix of about 30 prospects and veterans went through their paces at MTS Iceplex Monday morning.

It’s not the first time this summer Jets players have skated at the NHL team’s facility, but Monday’s skate was as close to an organized practice as it’s been since the end of last season.

Jets’ regulars Nikolaj Ehlers, Adam Lowry, Tyler Myers, Mathieu Perreault and Chris Thorburn were joined by youngsters Jack Roslovic, Brendan Lemieux, Kyle Connor, Josh Morrissey and goaltender Eric Comrie.

They skated line drills for about 30 minutes and then scrimmaged four-on-four.

“There’s a lot of guys that came back into town, especially over the weekend. It’s just nice to get out there. It’s always good to get in a little bit before camp and get comfortable,” said Thorburn. “Once camp rolls around, you’re already in a groove and that’s most of the guys’ mindset.”

Comrie, who played for the Manitoba Moose last season, was between the pipes for Team White, while Team Blue featured Jets’ goalie Michael Hutchinson. Fellow goalie Mikhail Berdin, a sixth-round pick for the Jets in June, shared duties throughout the morning. Berdin recently moved from the Kontinental Hockey League to the United States Hockey League, signing with the Sioux Falls Stampede.

Prospect camp officially opens Thursday. The team will practise that morning before heading to Penticton, B.C., for the YoungStars Classic.

The Jets hinted the club’s tournament roster could be released later today or Tuesday.

Lemieux played on Winnipeg’s prospects squad last fall. He returned to junior and finished up there with the Windsor Spitfires, and then dressed in five games for the Moose at the tail end of the 2015-16 AHL campaign.

He said Monday he was enjoying being back in the city.

“It’s good to be with the guys again. The intensity is starting to pick up,” he said. “Turning pro (late last season), it was a learning curve and it came quick. I thought I adjusted well and I thought I was able to have a little bit of success. It gave me a perfect taste of the city and what to expect this year, whether I’m with the big club or with the Moose.”

Main camp for the Jets gets going Sept. 20.