‘I love being here and I love being a Jet’ Defenceman Morrissey focused on season ahead By: Ken Wiebe Posted: 12:08 PM CDT Monday, Sep. 14, 2026

Josh Morrissey insists that a trade request from the franchise goalie doesn’t change his desire to be a lifelong Winnipeg Jet.

The top-pairing defenceman and alternate captain reinforced that view on Monday morning when speaking to a group of reporters prior to the Winnipeg Jets Golf Classic at St. Charles Country Club.

“At the end of the day, I love being here and I love being a Jet. That’s how I’ve always felt,” said Morrissey, who spoke for just over nine minutes on a variety of topics. “That doesn’t change because of somebody else’s decision. Nothing is finalized, so who knows, he could be back. My position doesn’t change.”

Morrissey has two years left on a contract that pays him US$6.25 million and he’s only eligible to sign an extension on July 1, but the future of the franchise pillar will be a topic of discussion as the Jets work to sort through the situation with franchise goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, which remains unresolved.

Hellebuyck wasn’t in Winnipeg on Monday to take part in the team function, nor is he expected to report for medicals on Wednesday or be on the ice for the first sessions on Thursday.

The absence of a three-time Vezina and 2024-25 Hart Trophy winner is going to be a storyline that garners attention around the NHL and not just Winnipeg, but trying to block out the potential distraction is something the Jets will be focusing on during what will already be a condensed training camp that features four exhibition games.

“Obviously there’s all kinds of things that can go on on the outside. But at the same time all you can do as an individual is to prepare in the summer, prepare right now for training camp,” said Morrissey.

“And then as a group here our job is to have the best sort of shortened, abbreviated camp we can so we’re ready to roll and get off on the right foot, and build off things that have been kind of part of our identity in the past that maybe we got away from last year. So while obviously you can’t ignore it and there’s a little bit of noise, I mean that’s out of my control or any of the players. And we just have to go out and do our job and that job is to prepare and get ready to go.”

When did Morrissey find out about the trade request that was made public in late August?

“We just have to go out and do our job and that job is to prepare and get ready to go.”

“Just when everyone else did,” said Morrissey. “It is what it is. It sucks when first and foremost a guy I’ve played my whole career with and consider a really good friend feels the need to make a move. Regardless of the details and everything else, like I said I think on that side of it, it sucks.”

As it pertains to separating the friendship side of things with the business of hockey, Morrissey feels that comes with the territory.

“I can’t really comment on what it does to the team,” said Morrissey. “Obviously, Helly is one of the best — if not the best — goalies in the world. And so, having him in our lineup everyday certainly gives us a chance to win every night, but I don’t know what that’s going to look like. Nobody knows if he’s going to be here or not or what a trade would look like. So, I can’t say that it makes us worse or whatever. That’s speculation.”

There’s plenty of noise around the league about American players like Brady Tkachuk forcing his way out of Ottawa and Hellebuyck also seeking a trade, but Morrissey doesn’t view those events as a sure sign of things to come.

“I mean, like I said, there’s been players asking for trades from Canadian teams, American teams. There have been a couple of prominent players that have (asked for trades) lately,” said Morrissey.

“If you look around Canada, I think about Kyle Connor here, Cole Caufield in Montreal, those are just a couple of star players that are comfortable playing in their Canadian markets. Yeah, I understand connecting the dots but in the long term, it’s a few pieces. It’s being made a bigger deal than it is in my view.”

“It sucks when… a guy I’ve played my whole career with and consider a really good friend feels the need to make a move.”

Morrissey spent part of the summer working out with goalie Stuart Skinner in Calgary and he’s expecting big things from the guy who helped the Edmonton Oilers reach consecutive Stanley Cup finals.

“I’ve gotten to know Stu a little bit through the years, (we) did some different charity events,” said Morrissey. “Great guy, just has a really calm, fun demeanour. Heck of a moustache, obviously. But I think he’s just kind of coming into his own. He’s still a younger guy in a sense that he’s had — you think he’s older based on the runs that Edmonton had and sort of how long he’s been around. But I think he’s just kind of coming into his own. And I know he worked really hard this summer and looks really good.”

Morrissey will be due for a significant raise on his next deal and with the rising salary cap, he’s in line to earn the richest contract in franchise history, eclipsing the US$12 million annual average value (AAV) pact Connor signed last October (and kicks in this season).

During a summer that featured several lucrative long-term extensions, seeing friend Cale Makar ink his eight-year extension with a US$20.4 million AAV made Morrissey happy for a variety of reasons.

“I’ve gotten to know him quite a bit over the last number of years, just in the summers and at some of the Team Canada events. He’s such a great guy,” said Morrissey. “What he’s done in his career is incredible. Obviously the cap’s moving and the guys are getting bigger and bigger contracts and, for him, I think he’s earned it, deserves it. As a friend, I’m happy for him.”

“Great guy, just has a really calm, fun demeanour. Heck of a moustache.”

“It’s been a good summer and time for the league for everybody. The salary cap’s gone up and obviously that provides more flexibility for every player and everyone to benefit. That obviously means the league’s in a really good place. Deals like that and everything underneath that’s happened, yeah, it’s a good time for the NHL more importantly.”

With the Jets going 1-1 during the prospect games over the weekend in Quebec, Morrissey continues to be impressed by the play of 2026 first-rounder Viggo Bjorck.

“He had some nice highlights. But just skating with him last week, I mean he’s going to be a fantastic player,” said Morrissey. “You can just see it already, in a very short period of time. And more impressively, just the person. I mean he’s such a nice kid, and very mature for an 18-year-old kid. I don’t think I was like that at that age… He’s got a bright future.”

Morrissey also took some time to discuss what it’s been like to become a father for the first time back in May.

“I would say everything,” said Morrissey, asked to identify the best part of the process to date. “Everyone that’s (been a) dad before me has given me all of the great things to look forward to and how awesome it is but I don’t think it really — it’s hard to explain or understand until you experience it. It’s been awesome.

“Probably when he’s looking up at you and smiling, it’s tough to beat. Hopefully, win or lose this year, he’ll continue that.”

Morrissey was happy to report that he hasn’t been dealing with much sleep deprivation after Hayes was born.

“I’ve been very fortunate. He’s been sleeping really well the last couple of months so I’m ready for the season,” said Morrissey. “(Hayes) understands. But the unanimous answer is if you have a second kid, look out. We’ll try to keep that in mind.”

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