Jets finding ways to stay connected

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This article was published 20/01/2021 (1780 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A big come-from-behind overtime win on the road would likely be cause for celebration — even more so when the team doesn’t have to head straight to the airport to fly to the next city and wait 48 hours until the next game.

But that wasn’t the case for the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night in the nation’s capital. Rather than a big team dinner at an Ottawa restaurant, or perhaps sampling the city’s nightlife, it was straight back to the hotel after a 4-3 victory over the Senators.

Strict COVID-19 protocols have put limits on what players can do and where they can go this season. And that means an adjustment to the typical routine. 

“It’s been a little different. In a normal year you’d fly into a city and go out to dinner somewhere. Obviously you can’t do that this year. And you know what? That’s all right. We just have to adjust to it. I just spend a lot of time in the hotel room and not a whole lot of hanging out with the guys, which sucks, but that’s the way it is this year,” Jets defenceman Neal Pionk said following Wednesday’s optional practice.

Centre Adam Lowry, who was once chosen the Western Hockey League’s scholastic player of the year, said he’s been catching up on reading during this three-game swing through Eastern Canada. The team flew to Toronto on Sunday, played the Maple Leafs Monday night, and has been in Ottawa ever since. They’ll return to Winnipeg following Thursday night’s rematch against the Senators.

“You kind of do a lot of team bonding on the road, where you’re going to dinner with five or six guys normally. Now, we’re pretty much confined to the hotel. Obviously we understand the protocols and why they’re in place. We’re doing the best we can to follow the rules. I think it allows for a little more rest, a little more recovery,” said Lowry.

The team did have a brief gathering Tuesday night in a conference room set up in their hotel. They had a post-game bite and watched the Colorado Avalanche play the Los Angeles Kings.

“We’re all kind of talking, but we’re all kind of shouting across the room towards each other. You’re not having the close conversation. It’s definitely a lot different,” said forward Andrew Copp.

The Jets got a taste of this lifestyle last summer in the hub city of Edmonton, where they were confined to the bubble for the two weeks they were there. Other teams, including the Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning and runner-up Dallas Stars, spent almost two months in that environment. 

“Still finding ways to be around each other, even if it’s not in the normal circumstances where you’d be hanging out. I think that’s one of the things, spending a little more time in your hotel room, it gives you a bit more time to catch up on some reading, some shows, things like that,” said Lowry.

“The hotels have done a great job allowing us space where there’s a room we can get together safely, our meal rooms have been great. We’ve kind of found ways to stay connected as a team.”

Unlike teams with significant turnover in players, the Jets have the familiarity that comes with returning so many of the same faces. Copp said bonding remains important, and the best way to do that these days is how they play together on the ice.

“At the rink you’re still able to joke around on the ice and when you’re warming up, rolling out, guys are close enough where you can have a conversation and all that. Definitely making sure that we stay within the protocols and don’t put anyone at risk,” he said.

“It is just truly us on the road. It feels like there’s nobody in these hotels besides us. No one in the stands. It truly is just us out there. The strengthening of those bonds can come, especially with some early wins and some momentum wins, like (Tuesday) night with the comeback. I think everyone’s feeling pretty good and that’s just going to help our team bond, and that’s going to be important down the stretch.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg