Playing in Winnipeg something Ehlers will ‘cherish forever’

Nikolaj Ehlers insists it wasn’t personal.

The fan-favourite winger, who is moving on from the Winnipeg Jets after signing a six-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes, told the Free Press he’s leaving with a heavy heart — a sentiment he made clear in “emotional” conversations with members of the organization this past week.

“Like I told them, they didn’t do anything wrong,” Ehlers said Saturday morning during a Zoom call from Denmark.

“I was there for 10 years. I loved it there. I love the organization, the people in it, the guys. They became family, right? The city of Winnipeg, the fans — everyone that’s played in Winnipeg knows how incredible it is to play there.”

Ehlers said he spoke directly with team co-owner Mark Chipman, general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and coach Scott Arniel — along with plenty of now-former teammates — both before and after coming to his decision on Thursday.

“I had a lot of things to say, I had a lot of thank-yous I needed to get out, because these guys and that organization is top-notch,” he said.

“I told them why I made the decision that I made and they obviously respected it and were happy for me. I’ll always hold the city of Winnipeg close to my heart. It’s the place I’ve lived the longest in my whole life. Some very good conversations and a lot of people that I won’t ever forget.”

So why make the change? It ultimately wasn’t about money, as the US$51-million deal from Carolina (US$8.5 million per year) is less overall than what Winnipeg was offering.

“For me it was more about trying something new and challenging myself, getting out and seeing different things,” said Ehlers, who was drafted ninth overall in 2014 and has played all 719 of his career regular-season and playoff games with the Jets.

“I love playing in Winnipeg. I will never forget my time. But it was time for me personally to get out and experience something different and challenge myself on and off the ice.”

There had been some reports from NHL insiders that Ehlers was looking for a “quieter” place to play. It was an odd suggestion, considering Ehlers never shied from the spotlight and was always forthcoming in front of the cameras and microphones.

“It wasn’t the media. You know I love you guys,” he said with a laugh.

“No, I wouldn’t put it that way. Obviously, Canada is a completely different story in the sense of the media and all of that, but it wasn’t a specific thing I was looking for. You play hockey for the city. You want the fans to be excited about your team. You want your fans to stand outside the rink like they did in Winnipeg and watch the playoff games and go nuts.”

Ehlers was the most sought-after free agent when July 1 arrived and kept the suspense going for nearly 72 hours. In addition to Carolina and Winnipeg, several other teams, such as the Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche, were in the mix.

“Obviously, the decision came a bit later than people thought and the only reason for that was to set myself up in the best way possible to make the right decision. And I needed that time. I wasn’t trying to drag it out and make people wait,” he said.

“It was just what I needed to be comfortable in the decision-making. So yes, I talked to a lot of people and obviously tried to take in all the information and all the different impressions. It was a stressful, busy but exciting time. A lot of time on my phone, I’ll put it that way.”

One of those chats was with veteran Jets forward Nino Niederreiter, who previously played in Carolina. Ehlers also heard detailed pitches from Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky and head coach Rod Brind’Amour, which proved pivotal.

“I’m very excited about the team in Carolina. They’ve been a tough team to play against in the past. I like all the young players that are there,” he said.

“The stress game that Carolina plays in the sense when they don’t have the puck, trying to get the puck back as quick as possible. I think with my speed, I’m able to do that. I can create a lot of room for the other guys as well. I believe that I will fit in very nicely.”

For all his talent, Ehlers’ career high in points is 64. A big reason has been staying healthy, as he’s played a full season only three times, and just once in the past seven years.

“I think every player always has a little more. I’m hoping that maybe a different culture, a different team playing style will make me a better player,” he said.

“I think I definitely could have done that in Winnipeg as well in some way. But this was more the overall feeling of OK, I need to go out and see what’s out there and challenge myself. I think there’s a lot of ways I can still improve as a player and as a person. I’m excited to see how that works out.”

Sharing in that excitement is Tulsky, who has built a perennial contender in Carolina that was in need of a potential game-breaker like Ehlers.

“He is incredibly fast and dynamic with the puck. He’ll bring creativity to our game. We have the puck as much as any team in the league, and the more we can turn that into premium scoring chances the better off we’ll be,” he said Saturday.

“Nikolaj is the kind of player who can create scoring chances out of nothing. That’s the sort of thing that you layer on to what we’ve already built and it can hep take us to the next level.”

Ehlers is projected to skate on the top line with Sebastian Aho and Winnipeg native Seth Jarvis. His usage in Winnipeg has long been a flashpoint — specifically, limited minutes, not playing with top centre Mark Scheifele and, until this past year, typically being on the second power play unit.

That shouldn’t be an issue in Carolina.

“I’m not a guy that sets a target of goals, assists or points. I want to go in and get to the know the guys, get to know the organization, get to know the city and get comfortable as quick as possible,” he said.

Ehlers is also excited to play with countryman Frederik Andersen, Carolina’s starting goaltender. The pair have represented Denmark together at multiple international events and will be teammates again next February in Italy at the Olympics.

“It will be a very special year, I think. To have him there to help me get integrated as quickly as possible and show me around the city and so on will obviously help a lot. I’m excited. It’s going to be fun to play with another Danish guy,” he said.

However, parting is such sweet sorrow and Ehlers said Winnipeg will always hold a huge piece of his heart.

This past season was particularly special, with the Jets winning the Presidents’ Trophy and the incredible “Manitoba Miracle” comeback in Game 7 against the St. Louis Blues — an experience he called “one of the craziest games in Winnipeg hockey history.”

“The memories I’ve made there, with guys on the team, people off the ice, neighbours, and just the city of Winnipeg is something that I will take with me and cherish forever,” he said.

“I really did love living and playing in Winnipeg. I’ll never forget those guys and the people and the organization and the city.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg