Jets’ full schedule of promotional, special-event games released

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This article was published 25/08/2017 (2966 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Jets have finalized a long list of promotional nights this winter at Bell MTS Place, adding some excitement to what the organization hopes is a flashy and successful squad on the ice.

The Jets’ 2017-18 home schedule includes four nights devoted to raising public awareness, a night honouring the Canadian Armed Forces, the Jets Hall of Fame induction night and eight games involving fan giveaways.

Former Jets 1.0 captain and 1982 NHL rookie of the year Dale Hawerchuk joins the organization’s Hall of Fame on Nov. 14 when Winnipeg plays host to the Arizona Coyotes. To help honour the raising of Hawerchuk’s banner, fans who attend that night will receive a replica banner.

The Jets, in conjunction with the NHL, will again support Hockey Fights Cancer on Nov. 27 when the Minnesota Wild come to town. The team will skate out for the pre-game warm-up wearing special-edition jerseys, which will be auctioned off in support of the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation following the game.

The Jets will also commit to raising awareness about mental health on Jan. 30 (Tampa Bay Lightning) by promoting Hockey Talks, along with the True North Youth Foundation’s own program, Project 11.

The Jets will have two new awareness nights this season: the You Can Play game on Feb. 13 (Washington Capitals) and Go Green Night on March 25 (Nashville Predators). The You Can Play game promotes equality and inclusiveness as part of the NHL’s Hockey is For Everyone campaign and Go Green Night is a reminder to all to help protect the environment.

The team will also host two nights dedicated to collecting goods for those in need. A pre-Christmas toy drive will take place Dec. 17 when the team plays the St. Louis Blues, and the annual food drive will be on Feb. 11 when the Jets face the New York Rangers.

On Feb. 6, the Jets will wear military-themed jerseys during pre-game warm-up prior to a battle with the Arizona Coyotes, which will be auctioned off with proceeds going to Canadian Armed Forces charities.

Armed Forces personnel attending the game will be encouraged to be in uniform in hopes they will take part in the post-game photo opportunity on the ice.

The first giveaway of the season will happen on opening night when the Jets host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 4. Fans will receive an LED glow wand and fridge-magnet schedule. Jacob Trouba bobblehead night is March 20 (Los Angeles Kings). The Jets and Budweiser will hand out a commemorative Budweiser-Jets goal-synced glass, which will light up in unison each time a Jets goal is scored on Nov. 4 when they host the Montreal Canadiens.

Other season giveaways include Jets scarves courtesy of Scotiabank on Oct. 29 (Pittsburgh Penguins), Jets Upper Deck player cards Jan. 7 (San Jose Sharks) and a Jets player pennant on Feb. 18 (Florida Panthers). The team will also have a poster giveaway on Jan. 21 (Vancouver Canucks) that will recognize Jets players who are invited to this season’s NHL all-star game.

The team’s Fan Fest at Bell MTS Iceplex is set for Sept. 16, while the skills competition will take place at the downtown rink on Feb. 14.

Winnipeg will also recognize its followers at the season finale on April 7 with Fan Appreciation Night when the Chicago Blackhawks pay a visit.

— staff