News briefs for Thursday, October 15, 2026

Jets rally, but fall to Blackhwks in OT

9:50 PM

CHICAGO – You can file this one as a point gained, yet the Winnipeg Jets still left a valuable one on the table.

The Jets overcame a pair of two-goal deficits, forcing overtime after goals in the second period from Kyle Connor (his eighth of the season and fourth on the power play) and Alex Iafallo but fell 4-3 to the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday at United Center.

Defenceman Neal Pionk had a goal and two assists to pace the offensive attack and nearly helped the Jets earn the extra point, but was robbed by Blackhawks goalie Spencer Knight on a two-on-one rush in overtime.

Stuart Skinner made 24 saves for the Jets, who are back in action on Saturday afternoon at Canada Life Centre against Nikolaj Ehlers and the Carolina Hurricanes.

Banana Ball is coming to Winnipeg

6:51 PM

Winnipeg is on the docket for the Banana Ball Championship League in 2027.

The “Greatest Show in Sports” is a fast-paced, fans-first, entertainment-focused version of professional baseball founded by Jesse and Emily Cole. The Coles started the league with the goal of making baseball fun.

Banana Ball will hit Manitoba’s capital for two games — Aug. 26, 2027, at Blue Cross Park and Aug. 28, 2027, at Princess Auto Stadium. Both games will see a clash between the Texas Tailgaters and the Party Animals.

Winnipeg is the second and only other stop scheduled in the league’s Canada Series. The Indianapolis Clowns face the Savannah Bananas Aug. 14 and 15, 2027 at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Tickets will be sold via a lottery system.

The lottery window for the 2027 World Tour closes Oct. 31 on the league’s website.

Foundation gets $1.6-M boost to keep kids out of gangs

2:31 PM

A Winnipeg-based charity that works to combat exploitation is getting a financial boost from the federal government to help prevent youth gang involvement and gang violence.

Federal Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree announced Thursday the Joy Smith Foundation is receiving $1.6 million in federal funding to support a project that looks to prevent violence, gang involvement and criminal activity among at-risk and incarcerated youth.

The project, dubbed Limitless Futures: Empowering Youth Against Crime, aims to help youth aged 12 to 30 in Manitoba and Alberta overcome challenges that can lead to crime and gang involvement and to offer increased positive supports in their lives.

It will deliver weekly trauma-informed workshops in youth detention centres, group homes, alternative schools and other community settings.

“Young people need to know there are people who believe in them and opportunities ahead of them,” Joy Smith Foundation president and CEO Janet Campbell said.

“Too often, the youth we serve have been targeted and exploited by others. This project helps them recognize their own worth. We are grateful for this investment in young people and the safer communities they can help build.”

The funding comes from the federal Youth Gang Prevention Fund, which supports initiatives to prevent youth from joining gangs and supports those leaving gangs.

The Joy Smith Foundation, founded in 2011, is a national charity that works to combat human trafficking, sexual exploitation and forced labour.

Jets’ Morrissey now considered week-to-week with injury

12:22 PM

CHICAGO — The Winnipeg Jets will have to get used to life without Josh Morrissey for longer than expected.

Morrissey is now considered “week-to-week” with a wrist injury he suffered last Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche. The team’s top defenceman has missed the past two games and was initially listed as “day-to-day.”

Coach Scott Arniel revealed today that the ailment is more serious.

The Jets (4-1-1) face the Blackhawks tonight and will make one lineup change, with defenceman Jack St. Ivany drawing in for Tyrel Bauer.

Dozens arrested during retail theft crackdown

10:39 AM

More than 120 people were arrested as part of the Winnipeg Police Service’s fall retail theft initiative.

The crackdown aimed to reduce crime and enhance public safety at shopping centres and other businesses. Officers conducted proactive enforcement at more than 30 retail businesses across the city.

In total, 123 people were arrested, more than 240 charges were laid, and more than $21,000 in stolen merchandise was recovered, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Thursday.

Fifteen people were repeat offenders and 33 were detained in custody, police said.

Theft was also prevalent outside of the enforcement project, police said. Eighty-one people were arrested (eight of whom were repeat offenders), 134 charges were laid and more than $13,000 in stolen merchandise was recovered.