Jets happy to brighten children’s day

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This article was published 15/11/2023 (687 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

No stranger to delivering an authentic smile, Nate Schmidt lit up when the topic was broached.

The Winnipeg Jets defenceman and his teammates took part in their annual hospital visit Wednesday — spending time with kids at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children — and Schmidt couldn’t wait for the moment to arrive.

“There’s just something about seeing kids and doing whatever you can (to help),” said Schmidt, who became a father for the first time during the off-season. “There are a lot of people out there fighting a hard fight and a lot of people doing things that are a lot tougher than what we’re doing.”

The goal on this afternoon is a simple one.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to be in front of kids and to try and make their day. All we can focus on is just trying to bring joy to other people’s lives,” said Jets centre Mark Scheifele. “We can’t imagine what the kids are going through, what the parents are going through, all of the loved ones.

‘It’s all about trying to put a smile on their face, keep them positive, trying to make their day. If we get one smile today, that’s all that matters.”

Jets captain Adam Lowry appreciates the opportunity to interract with the children.

“It gives us a different perspective (on) how lucky we are to be able to do what we do. To be able to give back, we know we are role models in the community and to try and help brighten some of these kids and their families’ days, we know they’re going through extremely tough times,” said Lowry.

“It’s an hour or two out of our day, but it makes a big difference for them. That’s something we are really happy to do, to support them while they go through such difficult times. You hope that you were able to leave a lasting impression on them and a positive memory that maybe they can hang onto while they’re battling.”

Seeing how courageous some of these children are is something that provides Jets players with an emotional lift.

“You walk out of there ready to take on the world,” said Schmidt. “It gives you that Superman strength to feel like you can help with anything and take on any problem that you have.”

KUPARI SIDELINED: The right shoulder injury forward Rasmus Kupari suffered late in the first period of Tuesday’s 6-3 win over the New Jersey Devils will keep him out of the lineup for roughly four-to-six weeks, though further evaluation would be required.

Kupari, who has one assist in 15 games while playing mostly on the fourth line, went into the boards awkwardly and was in obvious discomfort as he went straight down the tunnel.

Associate coach Scott Arniel said the Jets were discussing which forward would be called up from the Manitoba Moose on Thursday, since the American Hockey League affiliate is heading out of town for a road trip.

Later in the afternoon, the Jets recalled winger Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, who has three goals and five points in 10 AHL games this season.

David Gustafsson will also draw back into the lineup Friday when the team continues a five-game homemstand against the Buffalo Sabres.

Arniel said he wasn’t opposed to going with 11 forwards and seven defencemen with a bit more regularity, though that wouldn’t be an option Friday, since the Jets are getting ready to play games on consecutive days.

“I don’t have a really good taste in my mouth right now after what happened (to Kupari) because it’s the first time I (went 11F, 7D) and I lose a forward,” said Arniel. “But I know our forwards were excited about when you’ve got three lines and you’re jumping over the boards every third shift. I like doing it. I’ve been on lots of teams that have done that in the past. As long as your top people are playing.”

Arniel said forward Morgan Barron missed Wednesday’s skill session for maintenance.

Barron, Gustafsson and Jonsson-Fjallby figure to make up the fourth line on Friday.

While Gabriel Vilardi did join his teammates on the ice on Wednesday in a non-contact jersey, that was only because it was a skills session.

Vilardi’s timeline is unchanged and he won’t likely be participating in a full practice in a non-contact jersey with the Jets until next week’s road trip to Florida and Tennessee.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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